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El Paso, Texas • Utah offensive lineman Sam Brenner might be the happiest guy participating in the Sun Bowl.
Suffering a scary neck injury against Colorado has made Brenner realize he can't take anything for granted in football, he said.
Brenner, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound right guard, was hit in the head by a Colorado player's knee in the third quarter of the regular-season finale between the two teams. He remained still on the turf for several minutes until he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
"His knee hit the top of my head and my neck went down like an accordion," Brenner said. "I felt a lot of pain and my neck was burning, and I lost the feeling in my hands and arms. It was really scary."
Brenner said he started to regain feeling in his extremities during the ambulance ride to the hospital. There, tests revealed that he had suffered no serious injuries. He has been able to participate in Utah's bowl practices without any precautionary measures or added protection.
"The first day back at practice I was aware of it, but I've had injuries before and you can't play hard and think about them," he said. "All of that is gone now, and it's just great to be back practicing with the team and getting ready for a bowl game."
Slippery, slithery guy
Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh spoke glowingly of Utah running back John White, who needs 104 yards to set a school record for rushing yards in a season. He currently has 1,404 yards.
"He is a slithery guy, quick with his cuts," he said. "It's hard to get a direct hit on him. Normally, yards after contact are associated with big backs who can lower their shoulder and knock guys over or drag them three or four yards. This player is notable because the contact is glancing, he slithers and cuts away and there is a lot of falling forward for yardage with him. That is a significant thing for us to minimize."
Watching you, watching me
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Georgia Tech linebacker Julian Burnett reminds him of himself when Whittingham played. Burnett is just 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds but ranks fifth in the ACC in tackles (113) and leads the team in tackles for loss (9.5).
"He reminds me of me," Whittingham said. "He isn't a big guy but he plays really hard, just a blue-collar worker. I like how he plays."
Catching his eye
Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Brian Bohannon said Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei is the guy who concerns him the most when watching tape of the Utes.
"You can pick any game, pull the tape out, and he is in the backfield," he said. "He is a difference-maker and obviously someone you can't stop, but we have to control him the best we can."
Pep time
The Utes will host a pep rally Friday in El Paso starting at 5 p.m. at the William F. Judson Convention Center. Admission is free for the festivities, which will include performances by the band, cheerleaders and dance team.