Weddle had a positive doctor's visit Friday and is listed as probable for next week. However, initial reports have him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. Casco is out for the season and possibly career after suffering a second serious knee injury in just over a year.

To offset their absence, 16 Utes made at least two tackles in the game. Middle linebacker Tommy Hackenbruck made a team-high 10 stops, while Morgan Scalley and Spencer Toone had seven stops apiece. Defensive back Eugene Oates led a cast of newcomers with six tackles.

"All the preseason hype is behind us now, and people can be quiet about it," said Scalley. "We'll just go about our business a game at a time."

The 19th-ranked Utes are scheduled to practice early this morning as preparations for next Saturday's game at Arizona begin.

EXTRA POINTS: Sophomore tailback Mike Liti did not play despite being listed as No. 1 on the depth chart. Meyer said he "didn't want to use him in a mop-up role" — fueling speculation that Liti may redshirt . . . Brian Johnson, the 17-year-old backup quarterback from Texas, completed his first collegiate pass — an 11-yarder to Jerome Wright in the fourth quarter . . . Fano Tagovailoa, dubbed as the "curve ball" quarterback, ran for seven yards on two carries in his Utah debut . . . The Utes' spread punt formation had a couple of close calls, but Matt Kovacevich wound up getting seven kicks off safely . . . Quinton Ganther (31 yards on six carries) started at tailback and Darryl Poston (3 yards on one carry) saw reserve duty in their first games as Utes.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com