"If you score first you win 82 percent of the time," he noted, remembering a statistic he read two years ago in a magazine.

The Utes are proving to be on the right side of that figure in their current winning streak, scoring first in all but the win over Utah State.

The Aggies scored first in that game and the Utes answered by scoring the next two touchdowns.

On the season, the Utes are 5-2 when they score first, with the losses being to Oregon State and Air Force.

The shutout loss to UNLV is the only game other than the Utah State contest in which the Utes didn't score first.

"We've noticed when we get on somebody early and do real well early, then things go real well in the game," Utah receiver Marquis Wilson said.

So far, the Utes have earned touchdowns against UCLA, TCU and Colorado State on their opening drives. But Whittingham said he doesn't just include touchdown production in assessing Utah's starts, he at least wants solid drives from the offense and big defensive efforts too.

"I don't know if it's scoring first or just starting fast," he said of the difference it makes with his team's performance. "We want to execute right out of the gate."

Quarterback Brian Johnson said he notices a lift happens when the Utes strike first, and said it's important to carry the same emphasis into the second half where the Utes have struggled recently.

"We want to start fast and in the second half do the same and finish strong," he said.

Feeling better

Backup running back Ray Stowers knows he isn't guaranteed more touches against Wyoming based on his 11 rush, 123-yard performance against Colorado State, but he can't help but get his hopes up.

If nothing else, he is feeling a lot better about his game since disappearing on Utah's sideline.

"It's all about opportunities, and I felt like I gained their trust back," Stowers said of the coaching staff. "Hopefully we can go out as a unit and do exactly what we did against CSU week after week."

Stowers' 11 carries were the most since he had 11 in the season opener against Oregon State, when starter Matt Asiata suffered a season-ending injury.

"After the game I came home, relaxed and just thought about everything," he said. "A lot has changed. I'm healthy and feeling better about things and trying to stay focused."

lwodraska@sltrib.com