When the Utah Utes arrive in New Orleans today for the Sugar Bowl, they'll have 13 second-timers with them.
Friday's game against Alabama will be their second Bowl Championship Series contest in five seasons.
"I know they're excited to go because obviously they've lived it and know what's in store as far as the activities and the way they're treated at a bowl game like that," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.
"So I'm sure they're all looking forward to it."
Nine players are returning to college football's big stage.
Senior quarterback Brian Johnson, who was the only one to actually see action in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh, headlines a cast that included eight redshirts that season. All, however, were on the bowl roster and went along for the ride.
"It's just a fun deal to say you were able to be a part of that — just experience the kind of hype and big-time kind of game that it is," said defensive end Paul Kruger, who was a freshman the first time around.
Kruger, linebacker Afa Garrigan and tight end Brad Clifford each served LDS Church missions shortly thereafter and are now sophomores.
The other Fiesta Bowl redshirts are all seniors. The veterans include wide receiver Brent Casteel, offensive lineman Robert Conley, wide receiver John Peel, tight end Colt Sampson, running back Ray Stowers and Johnson.
On the coaching staff, there are three second-timers besides Whittingham. Defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, special teams coordinator Jay Hill and safeties coach Morgan Scalley are making the journey once again. Scalley, in fact, has a unique vantage point. He was a prominent player on the Fiesta Bowl team.
"I love it because I'm a fan. I'm no longer a player, I'm a fan and I've got the best seat in the house on the sideline," said Scalley, who noted what a "special deal" it is for the Utes to have gone unbeaten and reach the BCS for the second time. "They're in good company and they've got a great attitude."
Repeating the 2004 team's success, he acknowledged, is a bit weird. It's not, however, surprising.
"It was expected by these guys," Scalley said. "They've busted their butt. They've done things the right way. They deserve it."
It's especially meaningful for Johnson. He backed up Alex Smith as a true freshman in the Fiesta Bowl and will conclude his Utah career in the Sugar Bowl.
"It'll be special. It's a special time, a way for my career to come full circle," said Johnson, who is eager to get more playing time in his second BCS game. "It's better when you get a chance to play in it for more than a couple of snaps. From that aspect it's better. To be the first team from a non-BCS school to do it twice makes it extra special."
Kruger has similar thoughts about Utah's historic second trip to the BCS.
"It's 100 percent better this time because I'm actually a contributor now and I can really be a part of the game. It's a special thing," Kruger said. "So I'm really excited about it. It's something that not very many people ever get to experience, and I fortunately get to be one of those guys."
EXTRA POINTS: Utah's charter flight is scheduled to arrive in New Orleans at 11 a.m. (CT). The Utes are scheduled to practice at Tulane in the afternoon. ... Whittingham, Johnson, Kruger, Louie Sakoda, Bradon Godfrey, and Stevenson Sylvester are scheduled to appear at an evening press conference at the team hotel. ... The Utes will not practice on Sunday. They will, however, attend Sunday's NFL game in the Superdome between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. The latter features Utah alums Steve Smith, Jordan Gross and Ma'ake Kemoeatu.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com