Despite an exhilarating final push, the Midshipmen were held off by Utah in a 35-32 victory in last night's Poinsettia bowl, the AP reports. Navy certainly made it close, bringing the score within 3 with less than a minute to play, and successfully recovering their ensuing onside kick. However, Navy QB Kaheaku-Enhada was picked off to give Utah the close-fought victory.
The win was Utah's eighth in nine games, earning them a 9-4 record on the season. The victory was also their seventh consecutive in a bowl game, dating back to 1999. QB Brian Johnson both threw and ran for touchdowns, and RB Darrell Mack rushed for two more. The loss dropped Navy to 8-5, souring the debut of coach Ken Niumatalolo. (More Utah Utes stories.)