Usually a blowout victory does not tell much about the winning team, other than they were much better than the team they just beat. However, with a 56-14 win over New Mexico, Utah learned a very important lesson – when a star player is injured, another player will step up and perform in his place.
Starting QB Jordan Wynn missed Saturday’s game with an injured thumb. For the second straight week, QB Terrance Cain stepped in for Wynn, and the offense did not miss a beat. Cain completed a school-record 20 of 23 passes for 248 yards. He also ran for a touchdown. Coach Whittingham says that Wynn will remain the starter, but with performances like Cain’s, the Utes know that they will score points if Wynn cannot play.
Wynn was not the only high-profile player to miss Saturday's game, as the team also played without star C Zane Taylor. Again, the Utes had someone step up and keep producing. Tevita Stevens moved to center from guard, and Walter Watts took over the starting role at guard. The line played well all night long, protecting Cain and opening big holes for the backs to run through. The Utes posted a season-high 428 yards of offense, in large part because of the stellar performance of the offensive line.
On defense, the Utes have seen players step up all season long. Starting LB JJ Williams, projected to be the team’s top playmaker on defense, has missed the entire season with a foot injury. Despite Williams’ absence in the lineup, Utah’s defense has turned in three solid performances. The defense has allowed only 85 yards per game rushing for a paltry 2.2 yards per carry. When a team limits an opponent to 2.2 yards per carry, then the linebackers are making plays.
If the entire team continues to play this well, Utah may be headed back to the BCS.
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