Defense did its part, but offense couldn't get going
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Jan. 2, 2004
MEMPHIS, Tenn. University of Southern Mississippi linebacker Rod Davis did the same thing he had done since becoming a starter in the 2000 season he gave his team a chance to win.
With No. 25 Utah leading by 10 points and 1:50 showing on the game clock at the Liberty Bowl on Wednesday, Davis stripped the ball away from Utes running back Brandon Warfield to give the Golden Eagles offense the ball on their 48-yard line.
Unfortunately, the Utah defense did the same thing it had done all day in the New Year's Eve bowl contest took the ball away from USM.
Eagles quarterback Dustin Almond hit tight end Terrell Bowden with a pass to the Utes' 26, only to see Utah strong safety Dave Revill slap the ball away from Bowden.
Utes free safety Morgan Scalley scooped up the loose ball and raced 74 yards down the field to seal his team's 17-0 victory in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and boost his team's 2003 record to 10-2. It was the only time Utah reached double digits in the win column in the program's history.
That is how USM's third trip and first loss in the Liberty Bowl went the offenses stumbled, the defenses made plays and turnovers sealed the Eagles (9-4) fate.
USM was shut out for the first time since a 42-0 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 4, 1995, and the Eagles mustered a mere 213 yards of offense and 11 first downs.
But what really damaged the Eagles' chances of winning their third Liberty Bowl in three trips was the inability to hang onto the ball.
USM lost four fumbles, and Utah turned three of those turnovers into points with two touchdowns and a field goal following three of the fumbles.
USM's defense also frustrated and flustered Utah's high powered offense.
The Utes entered the game averaging 387.8 yards and 29.7 points per game, but Utah was held to just 228 yards on offense.
The Eagles defense also made up for the team's offensive deficiencies throughout the contest.
After giving up a touchdown in the second quarter following a fumble on the USM 17-yard line, the defense was tested early in the third quarter.
Utah took the ball away from USM on the Eagles' 18 following a sack of Almond by Utes defensive end and Louisville native Marquess Ledbetter. Utah's Lewis Powell picked up the loose ball to put his offense back in business deep in USM territory.
The Eagles responded with three straight tackles for a loss by Terrell Paul, Greg Brooks and Michael Boley to push the Utes back to USM's 34-yard line. Utah punted the ball away on fourth down.
And though the Eagles couldn't finish the job at the Liberty Bowl, Bower made a point of how successful the season was despite the disappointing ending.
