Brian Johnson is ready to go bowling.
Aside from a few snaps late in Utah's historic 35-7 win over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl, the junior quarterback hasn't seen any postseason action for the Utes.
A knee injury in 2005 kept Johnson sidelined for Utah's past two extra outings — a 38-10 win over Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl and last season's 25-13 triumph over Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl.
"It's been really tough. I can't put it into words how tough it's been on me. I always want to play. I always want to be out there helping my team in any way that I can," Johnson said. "It was really frustrating for me not to be able to play. But I'm excited to finally get my opportunity and finally get my chance."
Though slowed by a sore shoulder that required a cortisone shot over the weekend, Johnson will be Utah's starter in Thursday's Poinsettia Bowl game against Navy in San Diego.
"No butterflies. I'm just really excited to get out there," Johnson said. "I want to play the best game of my career and win this bowl game. That's what I want to do."
In preparing for the game, Johnson's mission is three-fold. He's working hard, trying to get healthy and vows to try and play "unbelievable" in the bowl game.
Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is eager to see Johnson make his first career bowl start.
"It's a big deal for him to get his team to a bowl game. That's the biggest deal. And it's a big deal to win the bowl game," Ludwig said. "He's done all the right things, and I'm anxious to watch him play against this opponent."
Johnson, who admittedly didn't have his best season after suffering a shoulder separation in the opener at Oregon State, has been able to rest the injury since last month's loss at BYU, where he dinged it again.
"The down time between the last game of the season and the bowl game has been a huge asset. We held him out for the first 10 days or so of preparation to try to rest his body up and get him back," Ludwig said. "And I think we're seeing the benefits of that in this phase of preparation because he's full-go right now."
He's extremely motivated as well — especially after not participating in Utah's most recent bowl games.
"The hardest part was not playing. I went on the trips, I was involved the last two bowl games, but I didn't play," Johnson explained. "So I'm excited to finally get the opportunity."
The Utes went 7-1 this season when Johnson started and finished games.
How Johnson will fare is one of several intriguing story lines for Utah this week.
Others include:
2. Utah looking to win its seventh-straight bowl game: Streak is the word when it comes to the Utes in bowl games. They've won six straight dating back to an appearance in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl. The run is the second-longest active run in the nation.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham insists there's no secret to the success. It's all about how the players prepare. And, thus far, he said the Utes are doing well in practice and should be ready to go once again.
3. Utes seek to slow the nation's top-ranked rushing offense: Though they've seen a pure triple-option attack before — Air Force in its prime under former head coach Fisher DeBerry — Navy's high-powered offense is a cause for concern. The Midshipmen led the nation with 351.5 yards per game on the ground.
By comparison, Utah's rushing defense allows an average of just 130 yards per game — fifth in the Mountain West Conference and 38th in the nation.
4. Can Utah shake off the disappointing loss at BYU? The Utes insist they're looking ahead. The heartbreaking setback in Provo hurt, but the pain was eased with three bowl practices the next week. Getting back on the field quickly was helpful.
Utah's players and coaches are determined to send the senior class out on a good note with a bowl victory. The fifth-year veterans in the program are making their fifth consecutive postseason journey — all to different venues.
5. Navy gets a new head coach: After guiding the Midshipmen to a fifth straight bowl berth and an 8-4 record, head coach Paul Johnson left to become the new boss at Georgia Tech.
The boat, so to speak, didn't capsize. Navy acted quickly and promoted offensive coordinator Ken Niumatalolo to the top spot. Whittingham, who considers Niumatalolo a good friend, said the Midshipmen won't miss a beat since their new coach knows the triple option as well as anyone.
EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham called Thursday's practice "same-old, same-old" and said the Utes are as healthy as they've been in awhile. He's happy Gabe Long will play on the defensive line against Navy's triple-option offense ... Each day practice lasts a little more than an hour for Utah's main players, but about 50 "developmental" squad members get an extra half hour or so of practice. A couple who Whittingham singled out Thursday were Derrick Shelby, a defensive end from Houston and Chaz Walker, a defensive back from Kaysville ... After receiving a pair of Nike shoes and a commemorative Poinsettia Bowl football the previous two days, the Ute players just received a white envelope after Thursday's practice. However, they liked what was inside — a $175 gift certificate to Best Buy.
On the air ...
Utah (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Thursday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., MST
TV: ESPN Radio: 700AM
Contributing: Mike Sorensen
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com