Utah Utes football: Team off to stellar start, gears up for 8 in a row

SALT LAKE CITY — After opening the season with wins over Pittsburgh, UNLV, New Mexico and San Jose State, the 12th-ranked Utah Utes took a breather Saturday — (insert your own joke here) — with their only bye of the season.

They did so with a 4-0 record and top-11 statistical rankings in several categories including scoring offense (44.2 ppg), scoring defense (12.8 ppg), total defense (246.8 ypg), pass efficiency offense (172.8 rating) and rushing defense (86.8 ypg).

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Utes have a done a "very good job," thus far.

"The early season went just as we hoped," he explained.

Enough progress was made that Whittingham is confident the Utes can remain competitive throughout the balance of the season. They'll visit Iowa State Saturday, ushering in a season-ending stretch of eight straight games that includes additional road dates at Wyoming (Oct. 16), Air Force (Oct. 30), Notre Dame (Nov. 13) and San Diego State (Nov. 20), as well as home games against Colorado State (Oct. 23), TCU (Nov. 6) and BYU (Nov. 27).

"If we continue to focus, continue to have a great work ethic, continue to stay hungry, then we'll have a chance every week," Whittingham said.

Before looking ahead, though, the Utes can look back over the first four games with a sense of satisfaction.

OFFENSE: Despite splitting starts between sophomore Jordan Wynn, who missed two games with a thumb sprain on his throwing hand, and senior Terrance Cain, the Utes have managed to keep putting points on the board. Both have managed the offensive effectively. Cain, in fact, entered the bye week as the nation's leader in pass efficiency with a 192.5 rating. Wide receiver Jereme Brooks is tied for the Mountain West Conference lead with five catches per game.

"Quarterback play has been phenomenal," said Whittingham, who also praised the offensive line. The first unit has yet to give up a sack this season.

Whittingham is also pleased with how they're blocking up the run. The Utes are averaging 5.4 yards per carry on the ground.

DEFENSE: Replacing seven starters was supposed to be a concern. So far, however, it hasn't been.

"I felt that we would be a good defense this year but the process was accelerated," Whittingham said. "They played well from the onset, which was good to see."