Utah tight end Jake Jackson dives over Northwestern’s Greg Newsome into the end zone in the first quarter to give the Utes a 14-0 lead Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees scores a touchdown during the third quarter of the Holiday Bowl on Monday night in San Diego. Northwestern outscored the Utes 28-0 in the third quarter to rally for a 31-20 victory. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Utah wide receiver Jaylen Dixon hauls in a first quarter touchdown pass, as Northwestern’s Alonzo Mayo (10) defends, to give the Utes a 7-0 lead Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees (19) scores for the Wildcats in the third quarter as Utah’s Julian Blackmon (23) misses the tackle Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) has the football stripped away by Northwestern’s Joe Gaziano (97) during the third quarter Monday night. Northwestern’s Jared McGee (not pictured) would scoop up the fumbled ball and run 82-yards for a Wildcat touchdown. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) fumbles as he is tackled by Northwestern defensive lineman Joe Gaziano (97) as he runs during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. The fumble was picked up by Northwestern and returned for an 86-yard touchdown. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) has the football stripped away by Northwestern’s Joe Gaziano (97) as teammate Jared McGee (41) prepares to pick up the fumbled ball and run 82 yards for a Wildcat touchdown during the third quarter Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) has the football stripped away by Northwestern’s Joe Gaziano (97) as teammate Jared McGee (41) prepares to pickup the fumbled ball and run 82-yards for a Wildcat touchdown during the third quarter Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern safety Jared McGee (41) picks up a fumble next to linebacker Paddy Fisher (42) during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. McGee returned the fumble for an 86-yard touchdown. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah’s Javelin Guidry (left) and Maxs Tupac (right) celebrate a defensive stop against Northwestern during the first quarter Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson is sacked by Utah’s Cody Barton (right) during the first quarter Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Utah tight end Jake Jackson dives over Northwestern’s Greg Newsome into the end zone in the first quarter to give the Utes a 14-0 lead Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) runs for a first down as Northwestern’s Jared McGee moves in for the tackle during the first quarter Monday night.The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern offensive lineman Trey Klock (39) dives past Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) for a touchdown during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Alonzo Mayo #10 of the Northwestern Wildcats breaks up a pass play intended for Jaylen Dixon #25 of the Utah Utes during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Blake Gallagher #51 and Chris Bergin #28 of the Northwestern Wildcats tackle Armand Shyne #6 of the Utah Utes during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Blake Gallagher #51 and Chris Bergin #28 of the Northwestern Wildcats tackle Armand Shyne #6 of the Utah Utes during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Marquise Blair #13 of the Utah Utes tackles Flynn Nagel #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats on a kickoff return during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) delivers a pass during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, right, greets players before the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah tight end Jake Jackson (44) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) runs away from Northwestern safety Jared McGee (41) on his way to a first down during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah tight end Jake Jackson (44) jumps over Northwestern defensive back Greg Newsome II (29) as he scores a touchdown during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) is sacked for a 10-yard loss by Utah defensive back Javelin K. Guidry (28) and linebacker Cody Barton (30) during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern wide receiver Kyric McGowan (8) makes a catch in front of the defense of Utah defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern wide receiver Cameron Green (84) makes a catch in front of the defense of Utah defensive back Tareke Lewis (5) during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah quarterback Jason Shelley (15) passes under pressure during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) throws under pressure during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern offensive lineman Trey Klock (39) dives past Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) for a touchdown during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern offensive lineman Trey Klock (39), center, is congratulated by wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman (81) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on from the sideline during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern wide receiver Flynn Angel (2) is tripped up by Utah’s Marquise Blair (left) during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern wide receiver Flynn Angel (2) is tripped up by Utah’s Marquise Blair (left) during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) throws down field in the first half Monday night against Utah. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern running back Isaiah Bowser (25) looks for running room in the first half against Utah Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the first half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) delivers a pass during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern’s Riley Lees (19) avoids the tackle of Utah’s Julian Blackmon (23) to score in the third quarter Monday night. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern’s Jared McGee (41) scoops up Utah quarterback Jason Shelley’s (not pictured) fumble and runs 82-yards for a Wildcat touchdown during the third quarter Monday night as Utah’s Jackson Barton (70) gives chase. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern’s Trey Klock (39) dives towards the end zone in the third quarter to score as Utah’s Jaylon Johnson (1) defends. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern’s Trey Klock (39) dives towards the end zone in the third quarter to score as Utah’s Jaylon Johnson (1) defends. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern’s Trey Klock (39) dives towards the end zone in the third quarter to score as Utah’s Jaylon Johnson (1) defends. The Northwestern Wildcats play the Utah Utes during the second half in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Northwestern offensive lineman Trey Klock (39) dumps a cooler of Gatorade on Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as time runs out during the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern offensive lineman Trey Klock (39) douses head coach Pat Fitzgerald as time runs out during the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18), and teammates celebrate after defeating Utah in the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
A Navy sailor holds up his portion of a football field size American flag prior to the Northwestern Wildcats playing the Utah Utes in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Monday, December 31, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
United States Navy sailors hold up a giant U.S. flag before the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game between Utah and Northwestern, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
SAN DIEGO — A cold, hard rain in normally warm, dry San Diego made the Northwestern Wildcats feel right at home, especially as they enjoyed a downpour of Utah turnovers in the Holiday Bowl.
In a dizzying nine-minute stretch of the third quarter, the Wildcats turned three turnovers into 21 points to stun the 20th-ranked Utes 31-20 on Monday night.
The highlight was Jared McGee’s 82-yard fumble return for a touchdown, the middle turnover in the nightmarish stretch for Utah.
“Did I think we were going to be able to create that amount of turnovers?” Coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “I love San Diego, but man I love it when it rains on game day. That was sweet because I think it played a really big factor. It was raining a little bit harder coming out of halftime than it was before the half and I think that played a role in the game.”
The Wildcats (9-5) scored 28 points total in the third quarter to win their third straight bowl game under Fitzgerald, who the Green Bay Packers reportedly want to interview for their head coaching job.
Fitzgerald credited the seniors for winning 36 games in four seasons and gushed about the program’s future.
“They have set the bar now at a whole new level for our program and we couldn’t be more excited about our future,” he said.
Asked about his own future, he said: “Hashtag GoCats, man. I’m not going anywhere. This is home forever. Listen, these are my guys. … I’m a Wildcat for life. I’m so thankful for these guys. … We’re just getting started.”
Senior Clayton Thorson became the all-time leading passer for Northwestern, going 21 of 30 for 241 yards to give him 10,731 career yards. He broke Brett Basanez’s school record of 10,580. Thorson threw for two touchdowns and was intercepted once in making his 53rd consecutive start for the Wildcats, the most by a quarterback in Big Ten history. He is the program’s all-time winningest quarterback at 36-17. He was replaced after taking a hard shot midway through the fourth quarter, but came back in.
Utah (9-5) cruised to a 20-3 halftime lead behind redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Shelley before it all fell apart in the third quarter. Shelley had two interceptions and a fumble. Utah had four turnovers in the third quarter and five in the second half.
On the opening drive of the second half, Shelley threw the ball right to Northwestern’s Blake Gallagher. Thorson’s 52-yard pass to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman set up his 4-yard scoring toss to Riley Lees.
“We talked at halftime about, get a stop, get a score, seize momentum,” Fitzgerald said. “The credit goes to our guys. They were resilient all year. Today was indicative of our team.”
The Utes had the ball first-and-goal at the 6 when Shelley rolled right, was hit from behind by Joe Gaziano and fumbled. McGee picked it up on the third bounce and ran down the sideline untouched for an 82-yard return that pulled the Wildcats to 20-17.
“I definitely can’t take credit for anything that happened on that play other than running with the ball,” McGee said.
The Utes advanced to the 30 and looked like they had enough for a first down on a catch by Jaylen Dixon, but he was stripped by Trae Williams. JR Pace recovered and returned it 34 yards. Two plays later, Northwestern took a 24-20 lead when Thorson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior offensive lineman Trey Klock, a key player in goal line and short-yardage situations.
Northwestern added another touchdown in the third quarter when Lees scored from 8 yards out for a 31-20 lead.
Pace had a second interception in the third quarter, on a deflected pass.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the second half was a nightmare.
“I’ve been coaching a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of third quarter like that,” he said. “We had complete control of the game at halftime and we came out in the second half and proceeded to turn the ball over five times. … You turn the ball over like that and you win almost never.”
Shelley was making his fourth start in place of Tyler Huntley, who broke his collarbone against Arizona State on Nov. 3. Also out were leading rusher Zack Moss, leading receiver Britain Covey and leading tackler Chase Hansen, a senior.
Shelley threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Dixon and a 4-yarder to tight end Jake Jackson, both in the first quarter.
Utah lost for the just the second time in its last 16 bowls dating to 1999. Whittingham’s bowl record dropped to 11-2. He was trying to become the first to win the Holiday Bowl as a player and coach. He played in the first four Holiday Bowls with BYU, going 2-2. He was inducted into the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009.
THE TAKEAWAY
Northwestern: The Wildcats had minus-6 yards rushing at halftime and didn’t get into the positive until late in the third quarter.
Utah: Shelley was impressive with his passing and his scrambling until running into trouble in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Northwestern: The Wildcats will have to replace Thorson, who leaves with a legacy as the most productive quarterback in program history. The Wildcats will be back on the West Coast to open the 2019 season at Stanford on Aug. 31.
Utah: After winning their first Pac-12 South title, the Utes could be poised for a run at the league championship, if they can stay healthy. They’ll get Moss and Covey back, and there could be a spirited quarterback competition between Huntley and Shelley. The Utes open the 2019 season with their rivalry game against BYU, at Provo on Aug. 29.