Utah football notebook: Starting QB won't alter Utes' offensive scheme

SALT LAKE CITY — Jordan Wynn or Terrance Cain? Regardless of who gets the start Saturday at New Mexico, Utah's offensive scheme won't change all that much.

"It's kind of nice having two quarterbacks that we feel good about," said co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. "We're going to run the same offense, same game plan, no matter who plays."

Cain, however, is expected to get his second consecutive nod while Wynn continues to heal from a thumb sprain on his throwing hand.

"Really, their skill set is probably closer than people think. Terrance is a little better runner than Jordan, but their skill set is not as different as maybe some people made it out to be," Roderick said.

"Terrance can do all the things Jordan does as far as running our team goes. The plan won't change much, really at all. It doesn't change. We are going to run the same stuff."

Having two experienced quarterbacks, he added, is obviously a good situation for the Utes.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: With starting starter Zane Taylor likely to sit out with a sore knee, right guard Tevita Stevens is expected to be the Utes' center on Saturday.

The prospect of having a back-up center snapping the ball to a back-up quarterback, however, isn't a big concern to Cain. They've worked together in fall camp and in practice.

"I'm comfortable with it. He's been playing center before," Cain said. "We've got confidence in him. So it's all good."

ON THE OTHER SIDELINE: New Mexico's coaching staff includes a couple of assistants with ties to Utah State. Offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey guided the Aggies' offense in 2007-08, while receivers coach Matt Wells is a former USU quarterback.

BIG-TIME BROOKS: Senior receiver Jereme Brooks enters the New Mexico game as Utah's leader in all-purpose yards (113.5 per game), scoring (18 points) and receiving yards (82 per game). He's also in a first-place tie for receptions (joining DeVonte Christopher with nine).

"Jereme's been a consistent player for going on four years now," Whittingham said. "He shows up every week and you get the same production out of Jereme."

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com