QB Wynn sets pace for resurgent Utes

Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn looked every bit the true freshman he is against TCU's ferocious defense last week. But he was back to carving up more ordinary opposition in Saturday's 38-7 rout of San Diego State at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Wynn started fast and shook the Aztecs up early by successfully throwing deep. He then simply managed the game the rest of the way in helping the Utes to their ninth win of the season.

"I thought he played pretty smart," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, after Wynn completed 14 of 28 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. "I'd like to see him complete more balls; I'd like to see him at about 65 percent [completions]. But he threw no picks and threw for the TD. So I'm happy with the way he responded."

Wynn was like a lot of his teammates after emerging from the 55-28 meat grinder in Fort Worth: shellshocked. It was the worst Ute loss in more than a decade.

But Wynn was none the worse for wear Saturday. His first pass went for 44 yards to David Reed to set up the Utes' first touchdown; he uncorked another 44-yarder to Jereme Brooks late in the opening quarter, leading to 14-0 Utah lead.

"I thought I played pretty well. I took care of the football," Wynn said. "Overall I was pretty satisfied with the first half. But I've got to work on the second half. We came out flat."

Then again, it was just Wynn's third college start. His teammates continue to be impressed.

"We've got a lot of

confidence in him," said receiver Jereme Brooks, the recipient of seven Wynn passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. "He's getting used to the speed of college football. He's learning quickly."

Saturday was rife with irony for Wynn. The Oceanside, Calif., native looked hard at his hometown San Diego State Aztecs when he began canvassing possible schools at which to play. But ultimately, the presence of the bigger, stronger Ryan Lindley scared him off.

Lindley was on the other side of the field Saturday, completing 17 of 32 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown -- plus two interceptions.

Wynn's pretty sure he ended up in the right place. So are the Utes.

jbaird@sltrib.com