Utah Utes football: Poinsettia homecoming for Jordan Wynn

Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn has a pretty good track record at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where the Utes will face California in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23.

During his playing days at nearby Oceanside High School, Wynn and his teammates went 2-0 at the facility.

"I had pretty solid games," said the true freshman. "I definitely have some history there."

Given the proximity to his hometown, Wynn said he'll have a lot of people coming to the game to support the Utes.

"It's going to be a good experience for Jordan," noted Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.

Wynn's focus, however, is on the outcome.

"All that I'm thinking about right now is getting a win," he said after Wednesday's practice at the Spence Eccles Field House.

Wynn has told friends wishing to get tickets and such to contact his father. He doesn't want the distraction of having everyone getting mad at him.

Ticket requests, though, aren't expected to put a damper on what Wynn expects will be "a fun atmosphere."

And a competitive one at that.

Wynn is busy preparing for his first bowl game.

"They do a lot of exotic things. They run an exotic defense. They show a lot of different looks," he said. "It's something, definitely, that I'm really going to have to pay attention to."

Wynn's health, meanwhile, is improving. The ankle injury he suffered in the BYU game is almost completely healed. After taking things easy in three practices last week, Wynn acknowledged he's feeling refreshed.

"It's fine. It's coming along," Wynn said. "It felt good today. No soreness or anything. It'll be fine."

PLAN OF ATTACK: Whittingham said Utah's first four practices were designed to keep the rust off and maintain timing in the pass game. The fifth session, slated for Friday, will home in on California. The Golden Bears, Whittingham noted, are "an upper echelon Pac-10 team."

LOUIE'S BACK: After spending the past several weeks with the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders, ex-Ute All-American Louie Sakoda has resumed his duties as a student assistant coach.

"It was obviously a great experience to be playing football again," said Sakoda, who handled kickoffs and punts for the Grey Cup finalists.

Sakoda remained enrolled at the U. during his tenure in Canada and currently has a 4.0 grade point average.