sugar bowl 2009 Utah 28, Alabama 17 in 3rd

Just as the Crimson Tide was pulling into range of the Utes, they answer back with a touchdown to make it a two score game again. Stay Tuned

The Tide is starting to turn in the Sugar Bowl.

Alabama's Javier Arenas shook off tackler after tackler for a record 73-yard punt return for a touchdown down the left sideline midway through the second quarter, and the Crimson Tide pulled to within 21-10 of the Utah Utes at halftime at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on Friday night.

The Tide's Leigh Tiffin had kicked a 52-yard field goal to start the second quarter, after the Utes had scored on their first three possessions in the first quarter and staggered the heralded Alabama defense.

But the Crimson Tide seemed to start to figure out the Utes, forcing them to punt on all three of their possessions in the second quarter and finally beginning to move

Photo galleries See photos from the Utes pregame and the first quarter.

the ball on offense. The Tide gained 103 yards in the second quarter after gaining only 43 in the first, while the Utes gained only 50 yards in the second quarter following their 150-yard opening period.

Quarterback Brian Johnson completed 15 of 22 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the first half for the Utes, with scoring passes of 7 and 18 yards to receivers Brent Casteel and Bradon Godfrey, respectively.

Running back Matt Asiata scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in between, following an interception by safety Robert Johnson. The Utes have sacked Alabama's John Parker Wilson four times.