SAN FRANCISCO — Travis LaTendresse put on quite a show at the Emerald Bowl. The receiver tied an NCAA bowl record with four touchdown catches in Utah's 38-10 win over 24th-ranked Georgia Tech.
"Travis had a huge game to end his senior year," said teammate Eric Weddle. "Today he showed that all of the hard work he puts in paid off. People should pay attention to him at the next level."
LaTendresse's career-best performance featured 16 receptions for 214 yards. He also scored 26 points, including a two-point conversion. All three totals, plus his touchdown receptions, were Utah, Mountain West Conference and Emerald Bowl records.
"He was finding the creases in the defense," said Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey. "(Brett) Ratliff was doing a good job of getting him the ball."
Both LaTendresse and Ratliff were raised on the shoulders of teammates and fans at game's end.
LaTendresse was named Offensive Player of the Game.
"The win was a team effort," LaTendresse insisted. "We came out, played a good game and a good team."
Georgia Tech entered the game ranked 10th in the nation in total defense.
"We stuck it to them," said Ratliff, who set new Utah and MWC postseason records by completing 30 passes for 381 yards. His four touchdown tosses matched Alex Smith's record total in the Fiesta Bowl.
The 38 points scored were the most ever by a Utah team in a bowl game.
In addition, Quinton Ganther's 41-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the longest in Emerald Bowl history.
All said, a banner day for the Utes. The defense did its share by holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless in the first, third and fourth quarters.
Steve Tate led the team with 10 tackles and an interception. Shaun Harper also picked off a pass for Utah, while Martail Burnett and Steve Fifita recorded sacks.
Weddle was named Defensive Player of the Game for his stellar coverage of All-American receiver Calvin Johnson. Weddle credited preparation, intense film study and meeting the challenge as reasons for Utah's success in holding the Tech star to just two catches.
Contributions were plentiful.
"They underestimated us. They didn't know we were that good," said defensive lineman Kelly Talavou. "It was the best game of the year for our team."
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who completed his first season at the helm with a 7-5 record, called it an amazing effort.
"That was a quality football team we beat out there," Whittingham said. "Not only did we beat them, we dominated them."
The victory, coupled with a 41-34 overtime win over BYU, gives Utah (7-5) a big shot of momentum heading into 2006.
"This game is a springboard into next season," said Whittingham, whose squad returns eight Emerald Bowl starters on defense and six on offense.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com