Rallied by a true freshman who had won prep championships previously at Qualcomm Stadium, the Utah Utes showed they can win bowl games like few other programs in history.

Jordan Wynn threw for a career-high 338 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 23 Utah back from an early two-touchdown deficit to a 37-27 victory over California in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday night.

The Utes scored 27 straight points to win their ninth straight bowl game, the longest current streak in the country and tied for the second-longest ever. Florida State won 11 straight from 1985-96 and Southern California won nine in a row from 1923-45.

“It’s the work ethic of our players,” coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We don’t have any secret, magic way of practicing for bowl games. It’s how our guys go about their business. It’s their work ethic and focus. They understand a bowl game is a reward for a good season but also a chance to win another ballgame.”

The Utes’ bowl victory streak began with a win over Fresno State in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl. A member of the Mountain West Conference, the Utes were the original BCS busters, beating Pittsburgh 35-7 in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2004 season. They also beat Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl last season.