Wide may break it

Eddie Wide with the University of Utah football team Salt Lake City, Utah Aug. 8, 2007. Photo by Tom Smart/University of Utah Sports Information (UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SPORTS INFORM)

Eddie Wide's world changed on Sept. 26.

When University of Utah star Matt Asiata suffered a season-ending knee injury against Louisville, Wide went from a relative nobody to a recognized-everywhere somebody faster than Barack Obama.

He has rushed for more than 100 yards in five straight games.

If Wide keeps the streak alive today against New Mexico, he will break a school record that he now shares with Carl Monroe (1982), Mike Anderson (1998) and Darrell Mack (2007).

"It would certainly be a nice accolade for Eddie," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We're not going to alter the game plan or do something that's not in the best interest of the team just to make it happen. But the way he's going, it's something that is definitely a possibility."

New Mexico could be the perfect opponent for Wide.

The winless Lobos rank eighth in the Mountain West in rushing defense (161.1), eighth in total defense (413.5) and ninth in scoring defense (35.5).

Having the chance to set a school record "is a big deal," Wide said. "But I'm not too worried about it. Right now, we're just worried about New Mexico -- just trying to continue this [five-game] winning streak."

In the first three games of the season, Asiata carried a workman-like 71 times for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Wide rushed 16 times for 73 yards, including a two-carry, three-yard effort the previous week at Oregon.

Against Louisville,

"It was a bittersweet moment," Wide said. "Matt is a great friend of mine, so it sucked. I didn't want it to happen. But somebody had to step up and take over his role. That was my job."

He's done it well, too.

Wide averages 119.4 yards over the past five games. He's scored five touchdowns.

According to Whittingham, Asiata and Wide get their yards with different styles.

"Eddie's more of a speed guy," he said. "He's a guy who can bounce a play outside and rip off 30 or 40 yards when there's nothing inside."

Quarterback Jordan Wynn agrees: "He's real quick, real shifty. He fits in perfect with our spread offense. ... He usually makes the first guy miss and that's really big for a running back."

In 2006 at Cimarron Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Wide was named the Nevada player of the year.

He was recruited by Washington, Washington State, UNLV, Nevada, Colorado State and Utah.

He visited Washington, which wanted him as a defensive back.

When he visited Utah, Wide knew he had found a home.

"I just loved the family chemistry here. ..." he said. "I also wanted to play running back and they were going to give me that opportunity. So I took it."

Wide was a contributor during his first two seasons at Utah, but his chance to star didn't come until Asiata's injury.

In last week's 22-10 come-from-behind win over Wyoming, Wide rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown.

In the second half, when Wynn made his first collegiate appearance, Wide gained 96 yards and took potentially stifling pressure off the freshman quarterback.

luhm@sltrib.com