Utah Utes football notebook: Jordan Wynn hurt thumb early against Pitt

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn set the record straight about his thumb injury. The sophomore said it happened early in Thursday's 27-24 overtime win over Pittsburgh, most likely during the game's second offensive series.

"I got hit and landed on it and it kind of tweaked weird," Wynn said of the sprain on his throwing hand.

The pain grew worse as the game went on.

Wynn, however, continued to play wound up, completing 21-of-36 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

Wynn, who is sporting a splint this week to keep the thumb stabilized, will try to throw some passes later this week. He acknowledged, though, that he may not know his playing status until Saturday when the Utes open Mountain West Conference play at home against UNLV.

In the meantime, Wynn is getting a kick out of all the rumors concerning his injury.

"It's kind of funny, just all the things that are said," Wynn noted. "I've been hearing that I broke my ribs and my arm and stuff. It's all pretty funny. It just shows you can't get all caught up in that stuff."

If Wynn is unavailable — he's considered day-to-day — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham expressed confidence in back-up Terrance Cain. The senior is 7-1 as a starter for the Utes.

Meanwhile, Utah's 27-24 season-opening win over Pittsburgh led to a rise in the national rankings. The Utes are ranked 20th in this week's Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.

"It was good to see," said Whittingham. "We don't put a whole lot of stock into that at this point in the year, like I've said before, but it's good to see that our players are getting recognized."

HEAVY HEARTS: Whittingham opened his weekly press conference by expressing condolences to the Wyoming football team for the loss of player Ruben Narcisse, who was killed in an automobile accident early Monday morning.

"On behalf of our players and coaches at the University of Utah, we want to extend our sympathies to the Wyoming Cowboys and coach Dave Christensen for the tragedy they experienced this past weekend," Whittingham said. "It's something that hits close to home, obviously, and they are in our thoughts and prayers."

NFL UTES: Utah will be well represented when the National Football League season kicks off this weekend. Nineteen former Utes will be on active rosters, three on practice squads and one on injured reserve.

"It's good to see," Whittingham said. "That speaks very well to the recruiting efforts of our assistant coaches, recruiting the right guys."

Active rosters—OL Zane Beadles, Broncos; DE Jonathan Fanene, Bengals; RB Quinton Ganther, Seahawks; OL Jordan Gross, Panthers; DB Robert Johnson, Titans; OL Chris Kemoeatu, Steelers; Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Redskins; LB Paul Kruger, Ravens; CB Brice McCain, Texans; LB Koa Misi, Dolphins; NT Sione Pouha, Jets; WR David Reed, Ravens; OT Barry Sims, 49ers; QB Alex Smith, 49ers; CB Sean Smith, Dolphins; WR Steve Smith, Panthers; NT Paul Soliai, Dolphins; LB Stevenson Sylvester, Steelers; and FS Eric Weddle, Chargers.

Practice squads—QB Brett Ratliff, Jaguars; WR Freddie Brown, Vikings; and DB R.J. Stanford, Panthers.

Injured reserve—NT Kelly Talavou, Ravens.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com