Utah Utes football notebook: Jordan Wynn hoping to avoid 'a long winter'

SAN DIEGO — Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn is determined to win Wednesday's Poinsettia Bowl game against California at Qualcomm Stadium. He's 2-2 as the Utes' starter and is eager to get back to the winning side of the ledger.

"This is the most games I've lost in one year since my JV football season. So yeah, it's kind of frustrating," Wynn said while noting that setbacks to TCU and BYU came against solid teams.

Even so, he's trying to relax and just keep playing in hopes of avoiding a 2-3 mark.

"That would definitely make it a long winter," Wynn said. "That's something that I don't plan on doing."

Wynn also plans to avoid distractions this week. He grew up in nearby Oceanside, Calif., and has a lot of family and friends in the area.

"They all know I'm here for a bowl game," said Wynn, who will spend a few weeks at home after the contest.

FUN IN THE SUN: Whittingham and the Utes visited Sea World Sunday morning as guests of the Poinsettia Bowl. Cal, meanwhile, headed to the San Diego Zoo. Later in the day, both teams were represented at a Make-A-Wish Foundation gathering.

On Monday, the squads are headed to the Miramar Speed Circuit for indoor kart racing and an event billed as the "Poinsettia Bowl Grand Prix."

REUNION STILL ON: Utah running backs coach Aaron Alford's brother Tony was the only Notre Dame assistant retained by new boss Brian Kelly. That means the siblings will be on the sidelines next November when the Utes and Fighting Irish square off in South Bend.

"Anytime you keep your job that's a wonderful thing," Aaron said of Tony who had been on fired coach Charlie Weis' staff for just one season. "I'm excited for him. He's excited. The opportunity to stay on was a great thing for him. It was a blessing. I'm just really happy for him."

THERE'S A CURFEW: The Utes were subject to a midnight curfew over their first couple of days in San Diego.

"Nothing good happens after midnight," Whittingham said.

As the game approaches, things are tightening up a bit.

Tonight's curfew is 11:30 p.m. On game-day eve, it'll be 10:30 p.m.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com