Utah Utes football notes: Offensive line doesn't care which QB is playing

As far as Utah left tackle Zane Beadles is concerned, it doesn't matter if freshman Jordan Wynn or junior Terrance Cain ends up as the Utes' starting quarterback.

"Whoever it's going to be is going to be a great player," said the All-American candidate.

Beadles is confident Utah's offensive line will adapt to any scenario that takes place at quarterback.

"It's just a matter of feeling and getting reps with the guy," he said. "Half the time we don't even know who's back there, which is a good thing. They're both very similar players and guys that we have faith in.

"Reps is the biggest thing," Beadles continued. "The more reps you can get with someone the more comfortable we are going to be and the more comfortable he's going to be. And that's all we can ask for."

The starting line, meanwhile, is pretty much set in stone. Zane Taylor is back at center. On the left side there's Beadles and guard Caleb Schlauderaff. Tackle Tony Bergstrom mans the right side with a guard combination of Walter Watts and Tevita Stevens.

"Things are going really well. A lot of stuff carried over from the spring," Beadles said. "Getting Zane back in the center spot was great for us. Some consistency there is huge. The center spot is a very important spot."

Even more so, with a new quarterback taking the snaps.

TWO WEEKS TO GO: Whittingham dismissed any significance Thursday's practice had being exactly two weeks from the Sept. 3 season opener against Utah State.

"We're still in camp mode. That will continue through Saturday's scrimmage," he said. "Then we transition into in-season mode, which starts on Monday."

PACK MAN: Former Utah quarterback Corbin Louks, who transferred to Nevada after being demoted to No. 3 on the depth chart, was the subject of a story in Thursday's Reno Gazette-Journal.

Nevada coach Chris Ault said that Louks will be looked at to play safety and not quarterback, a scenario he pursued briefly at Utah before opting to leave.

"I felt it would be a good fit for me," Louks said of his transfer.

Ault recruited Louks out of high school and is excited to have him in Reno.

"He's a terrific athlete. He was one of my top recruits two years ago," Ault told the newspaper. "I was sick when he went to Utah. But we're just blessed."

Louks, who will sit out this season because of NCAA transfer rules, is eager for a new opportunity — even if it isn't at quarterback.

"I just want to try to help out in any way I can," he explained. "I'll play wherever the team needs me to play. I'm just excited to be part of the Pack."

EXTRA POINTS: Watts hyperextended his left knee late in Thursday's practice. Both Watts and Whittingham, however, said he'll be OK ... Linebacker LT Filiaga (shoulder) and defensive back Reggie Topps (ankle) were among the decreasing number of players in "The Pit" ... Not-so-breaking news: Whittingham said quarterbacks Wynn and Cain continue to make strides and are still even in the competition to become the next starter.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com