TONIGHT / POINSETTIA BOWL

* Who: Utah (8-4, third in Mountain West) vs. Navy (8-4, independent)

* Where, when: at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, 6, ESPN

* Story line: Utah is in a bowl for the fifth consecutive season and has won its last six bowl games dating to 1999. The Utes are third in the nation in scoring defense, giving up 15.6 points a game, and have held five of their last seven opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. Navy uses an option offense to lead the nation with 351.5 yards rushing per game and is eighth in the nation in scoring at 39.9 points a game. The Midshipmen are playing their first game under Coach Ken Niumatalolo. He took over for Paul Johnson, who resigned to coach at Georgia Tech.

* Top players: Brian Johnson (QB, Utah, Jr.), Darrell Mack (RB, Utah, Jr.), Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (QB, Navy, Jr.), Reggie Campbell (RB, Navy, Sr.).

-- Peter Yoon