Utah Utes football: Battle for quarterback spot back in action

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says he has "a good idea" who will be his starting quarterback for Saturday's home game against New Mexico, but won't let it be known until sometime after 4 p.m. that afternoon.

His two quarterbacks — eight-game starter Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn, who saw his first action of his career in the second-half comeback win over Wyoming Saturday — say they both will prepare as they have all season.

One will obviously be taking more snaps in practice this week and from all indications that will be Wynn, who could be making his first start Saturday.

The freshman from Oceanside, Calif., was upbeat and engaging Monday afternoon, but that's the way he usually is, while Cain was his usual reserved self while being polite and accommodating to the media.

After leading the Utes to 19 second-half points and scores on four of six drives, Wynn said he slept great Saturday night.

"Obviously I was very excited and got a lot of phone calls from family and friends back home," he said. "I definitely had a good sleep."

Back on Aug. 14, Wynn was named the Utes' No. 1 quarterback, causing projected No. 1 Corbin Louks to transfer a few days later. However, Cain overtook Wynn the following week and was named the starter against Utah State on Sept. 3.

"I just wasn't performing up to par," Wynn said. "Terrance had a good week that week. I supported him and congratulated him, just like he congratulated me the week before when I got it. I wasn't up to par and he beat me out."

At the time, Ute coaches said both quarterbacks would play, but Wynn never saw any action over the first seven games, until Saturday.

"It wasn't frustrating. I just had to be patient," Wynn said. "I knew my role. I was trying to help out Terrance as best I could and I was just preparing every week like I was starting. I just stayed patient and waited for my time to come."

When he was suddenly called on to play the second half, Wynn said he was nervous in the huddle but quickly settled down.

He led the Utes on a pair of scoring drives that resulted in field goals and on his fourth drive he threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jereme Brooks that proved to be the winning score.

Cain was obviously disappointed about being pulled in favor of Wynn at halftime of Saturday night's game with Wyoming. After the team finished lifting weights Monday afternoon, Cain talked about his situation.

When asked what he thought about being replaced at halftime, he said, "It's not my decision — that's the coach's decision."

He acknowledged the offense was struggling, but didn't believe it was all his fault.