SAN DIEGO — This is getting serious.
By extending their streak of bowl victories to nine, the Utah Utes are now co-owners of the second-longest run of postseason success in major college football history — equaling a mark Southern California reached from 1925-43.
Florida State is the only team to prevail more often. The Seminoles won 11 consecutive bowl games between 1985 and 1996.
Wednesday's 37-27 Poinsettia Bowl victory over California put the Utes in some select company. Winning bowl games is something they take great pride in accomplishing.
"It's maintaining the tradition," said junior running back Eddie Wide. "It's a special thing and I'm glad we were able to continue it."
Utah's bowl streak dates back to 1999 and includes victories over nine different opponents — Fresno State, USC, Southern Mississippi, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, Tulsa, Navy, Alabama and now Cal.
"This winning streak isn't just about these players," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "This goes back a ways and these guys extended it further."
It took a comeback, though, to keep the streak alive.
Cal jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Utah responded with 27 straight points to seize control. The outburst featured three touchdown passes from Jordan Wynn and a pair of field goals by Joe Phillips.
The Golden Bears managed to close the gap to 27-21 late in the third quarter, but could draw no closer down the stretch. A 25-yard field goal by Phillips and a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by Stevenson Sylvester locked down the win for the Utes.
"I'm glad we sent our seniors out right," said Wynn, who was named Offensive MVP after throwing for a career-high 338 yards. "I'm just going to enjoy this victory."
The true freshman quarterback isn't alone. The nine-game bowl roll produced plenty of smiles as Utah celebrated at Qualcomm Stadium.
"It's a great streak," said senior linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, who was the game's defensive MVP. "I'm glad I went out like this."
Utah finished the season with a 10-3 record, reaching double-figures in triumphs for just the fifth time in school history.
EXTRA POINTS: Pleasant Grove High School tight end Sefa Tanoai has given the Utes a verbal recruiting committment … Senior Aiona Key blocked a punt. He concluded his Utah career with four blocks (three punts and a field goal) … Sylvester unseated defending champion Mike Wright as the Utes' tackles leader this season, 81-79 … Brandon Burton topped Utah with two tackles-for-loss.
9 FEELS FINE
Utah has won nine consecutive bowl games, the longest such current streak in the country. It's also ties the Utes for the second longest all-time bowl winning streak.
YEAR GAME OPPONENT SCORE
1999 Las Vegas Bowl Fresno State 17-16
2001 Las Vegas Bowl USC 10-6
2003 Liberty Bowl Southern Miss 17-0
2005* Fiesta Bowl Pittsburgh 35-7
2005 Emerald Bowl Georgia Tech 38-10
2006 Armed Forces Bowl Tulsa 25-13
2007 Poinsettia Bowl Navy 35-32
2009** Sugar Bowl Alabama 31-17
2009 Poinsettia Bowl California 37-27
* played Jan. 1, 2005, after 2004 regular season
** played Jan. 2, 2009, after 2008 regular season
e-mail: dirk@desnews.com