POSTGAME BLOG: (10) Utah 30, Wyoming 6

FINAL
Score: Utah 30, Wyoming 6
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- It wasn't necessarily pretty, but the Utes got the job done. Utah scored 16 points in the second quarter and never looked back, defeating the Wyoming Cowboys 30-6 in War Memorial Stadium.

Utah, which struggled through much of three quarters, improved to 6-0 on the season. Their second quarter dominance has been outstanding, outscoring opponents 117-7 this season (16-0 today).

Jordan Wynn threw two late interceptions, one of which Wyoming was able to capitalize on, scoring on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Dax Crum to David Leonard.

Utah looked sharp on their first drive, scoring on a 45 yard flea flicker pass from Jordan Wynn to Luke Matthews, but weren't able to score again until the second quarter.

The Utes were held to just seven points in the second half.

Next up for the Utes: vs Colorado State (Saturday Oct. 23)
Next up for the Cowboys: at BYU (Saturday Oct. 23)

Time Remaining: 0:28 Fourth Quarter
Score: Utah 30, Wyoming 6

Jordan Wynn's day is done as Terrance Cain comes in at quarterback for the Utes to finish this game. After driving all the way down inside the Wyoming 10, the Cowboys hold on 4th and goal and turn the ball over on downs.

Time Remaining: 7:23 Fourth Quarter
Score: Utah 30, Wyoming 6

Wyoming gets on the board as Dax Crum connects with David Leonard for a touchdown on third and goal. PAT is no good, Utah leads 30-6. The Utes have not looked good in the second half.

Time Remaining: 11:05 Fourth Quarter
Score: Utah 30, Wyoming 0

After 28 yard punt return by Shaky Smithson, Jordan Wynn throws his second interception of the day, again in the end zone. No one was open, and instead of forcing it and trying to make a play, Wynn should have thrown it away.

Wyoming will take over on their own 20, and Dax Crum will take over at quarterback and try to spark this Cowboy offense. Even with change at quarterback, Wyoming still can't move the football. Another Wyoming punt, and yet another great return by Shaky, this time for 46 yards. First and 10 Utah on the Wyoming 41 yard line.

Things falling apart for the Utes? After the first team offense gave up its first sack of the season, Wynn throws his third pick of the game - although this time the ball was tipped up in the air.

Time Remaining: 1:41 Third Quarter
Score: Utah 30, Wyoming 0

On Utah's next possession, tight end Brad Clifford appears to have injured his shoulder blocking for Eddie Wide on a first down run. He is able to walk off the field but appears to be in incredible pain.

Facing a 3rd and 12, Wyoming elects to only rush 2 and drop 9 back in coverage, and Wynn easily picks it apart, finding Eddie Wide across the middle for a gain of 31. After a 21 yard pass from Jordan Wynn to Jereme Brooks, Reggie Dunn takes a reverse pitch 7 yards for a Utah touchdown. Utah leads 30-0.

Time Remaining: 5:56 Third Quarter
Score: Utah 23, Wyoming 0

After giving up three first downs to the Cowboys, Utah's defensive line comes up with a sack of Carta-Samuels on 3rd down to force a Wyoming punt. Two Cowboys ran into each other trying to down the punt deep in Utah territory, and one of them is still down on the ground. Potentially a serious injury avoided as both walk off the field and Cowboy fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Time Remaining: 8:45 Third Quarter
Score: Utah 23, Wyoming 0

Utah safety Brian Blechen just had an amazing pass breakup - if he got there a second sooner he may have had a pick six. After the Cowboys managed a first down, Blechen deflects an Austin Carta-Samuels pass to force a Wyoming punt. Utah will take over on their own 28 yard line.

Utah comes up a few inches short on third down, and Sean Sellwood comes in to punt for just the second time today. Sellwood's punt fair caught at the Wyoming 15 yard line.

HALFTIME
Score: Utah 23, Wyoming 0

After another sluggish start, the Utes revved up the engines in the second quarter, scoring 16 points as they lead the Wyoming Cowboys 23-0 at the half.

Utah's second quarter dominance continued, extending their scoring margin over opponents in the quarter to 117-7.

Jordan Wynn caught fire late in the half, leading the Utes to two touchdowns. Wynn finished the half throwing 13 of 18 for 173 yards and 2 TDs.

Utah's defense has held Wyoming to just 96 yards of total offense.

Time Remaining: 0:46 Second Quarter
Score: Utah 23, Wyoming 0

After pounding the ball up the middle with Matt Asiata down to the Wyoming 34, Reggie Dunn takes a handoff on a sweep left and takes it 19 yards. Two plays later, Wynn throws a pass to DeVonte Christopher, who then carries a Wyoming defender 5 yards into the endzone. Utah leads 16-0 after PAT is blocked.

Through all 3 Wyoming drives here in the 2nd quarter, Wyoming has been held to -1 yard as the Utes force another three and out. Smithson returns the Wyoming punt 23 yards to the Wyoming 48 yard line.

Two great throws by Jordan Wynn sets up a 6 yard TD run by Eddie Wide. The first was a sideline route by DeVonte Christopher, and the second was a streak over the middle to Brad Clifford for a gain of 30. Utah leads 23-0.

Time Remaining: 7:14 Second Quarter
Score: Utah 10, Wyoming 0

After their first drive of the game, Utah's offense has yet to find a rhythm. The Utes do manage a 48 yard field goal by Joe Phillips with the good field position though. Utah leads 10-0.

Utah's defense forces another Wyoming three and out, and after the Wyoming punt and good Shaky Smithson return, Utah will have the ball on their own 41 yard line.

Time Remaining: 10:43 Second Quarter
Score: Utah 7, Wyoming 0

Utah is able to move the ball into Wyoming territory on the ground, but two incomplete passes and the Utes are forced to punt. Wynn's throws are high and off target - it doesn't look like he is hurt, but perhaps still rattled by the interception earlier. The last incomplete pass was to tight end Brad Clifford, who Wynn held out to dry. Clifford took a hard hit after reaching out to try to make the catch. The Cowboys will take over on their own 13 following the punt.

Lamar Chapman, Utah's leading tackler, read a draw play on third and long perfectly and comes up with a tackle for a loss. Big three and out by the Utah defense. Utah will have great field position on the Cowboy 45 yard line after the punt.

Time Remaining: 0:19 First Quarter
Score: Utah 7, Wyoming 0

After taking over on downs, Utah runs a hurry up no huddle offense, easily moving all the way down to the Wyoming 12 yard line. The Utes were successful on quick throws over the middle. Facing 3rd and 10 from the Wyoming 12, Jordan Wynn throws a fade into the end zone that is easily intercepted. Wyoming regains momentum.

Austin Carta-Samuels takes advantage of the turnover and moves the Cowboys down into the red zone, but a botched trick play pushes the Cowboys way back. The Cowboys tried to run a reverse, but the pitch was fumbled for a loss of 9. After a penalty on the first field goal attempt from 48, Wyoming gets another chance from 38, but this one is also wide left.

Time Remaining: 8:14 First Quarter
Score: Utah 7, Wyoming 0

Unlike previous trips to Laramie, this one has picture perfect weather - 62 degrees and sunny skies. Wyoming won the coin toss and the Utes will start this game on offense. Utah is wearing white jerseys and white pants, while Wyoming is dressed in brown jerseys and yellow pants.

Utah looks awesome early - moving down into Wyoming territory before Matt Asiata tosses a handoff back to Jordan Wynn, who then throws it to a wide open Luke Matthews for a touchdown. The flea flicker goes for 45 yards and the Utes lead early, 7-0. Drive summary: 5 plays, 70 yards, 3:10

Wyoming's first possession is highlighted by sophomore sensation Austin Carta-Samuels - taking a zone read keeper off the right side for a gain of 12 into Utah territory. Wyoming found some early success on the ground, but Utah's defense buckled down and forced a stop on the Utah 42. Wyoming tried a fake punt - and the throw was well over the receivers head. Utah takes over on downs.

Pregame Blog

It won't matter next year when the school makes the move to the Pac-10, but right now Utah finds itself in a very familiar position.

The No. 10 Utes will be looking to strengthen their BCS bowl resume once again when they visit Wyoming on Saturday.

It has become a big debate over the last few years — starting when an Utah squad, led by Urban Meyer and Alex Smith, went undefeated in 2004 — over whether a team from non-BCS conferences deserve a spot in the national championship game. Boise State and TCU have joined the discussion along with the Utes, and all three schools currently rank in the top 10 nationally.

But those rankings tend to slip as the season wears on, due mostly to a schedule strength that just can't match an SEC or Big 12 slate. The Utes have gone undefeated twice in the last seven seasons and won a BCS bowl, but did not get a shot at the national title.

The way the system is currently set up, the only chance a non-BCS school has at a championship is to look so impressive against inferior competition that the voters just can't ignore them anymore. That is what Utah has done so far.

Game 6 Notes
No. 10 Utah (5-0, 2-0 MWC) vs.
Wyoming (2-4, 0-2 MWC)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. (MT)
Site: War Memorial Stadium (29,086/Desso Challenge Pro turf)
TV: The Mtn. Radio: ESPN 700
Series Record: Utah leads 50-31-1
Last Meeting:2009 (UTAH 22, WYO 10)
Kickoff Weather: Sunny; Temps: lower 60s

The Utes got an opportunity against a BCS school last week and ran up their highest point total in 27 years, blowing out Iowa State 68-27. They racked up 593 yards of total offense and put 31 points on the board in the second quarter alone. Jordan Wynn threw for 325 yards and a pair of touchdowns but the offensive star of the day was wide receiver Shaky Smithson, who caught a touchdown pass and threw for a score.

Utah has put at least 56 points on the board in each of its last three games and ranks third in the nation at 49 points per game — one spot ahead of Boise State. Part of that has been a strong offensive line which is tied for tops in the nation with only one sack allowed and 11 tackles for a loss.

But it has not been just shootout victories for the Utes this season. Head coach Kyle Whittingham has the defense in good form too, yielding only 15.6 points per contest.

Wyoming is not part of the BCS discussion but is certainly having an effect, having already played TCU, Boise State and Texas this season. The Cowboys lost all three of those games by a combined 130-13, including being held scoreless last week in a 45-0 loss at TCU.

Wyoming managed only eight first downs and 191 total yards in the loss. Quarterback Dax Crum accounted for 116 of those yards on 11 of 17 passing.

The Cowboys have dropped 13 straight games to ranked opponents, including a 22-10 loss to Utah last October.

Saturday's game marks the end of an era in the rivalry, as the schools will part ways when Utah moves on to the Pac-10. The two have been in the same conference with each other for the past 83 years, helping to found the Mountain West Conference in 1999.

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Keys to the Game for Utah

• Eliminate the slow starts - First quarter points: Utah 27, Opponents 20. Second quarter points: Utah 101, Opponents 7. Can the Utes control the game from start to finish?
• Expect the kitchen sink - The Cowboys will be willing to throw anything and everything they have at the Utes, including trick plays, fake punts and possibly even onside kicks (tribute to Coach Glenn), in order to move the football. Utah can't let Wyoming build confidence and momentum early.

MY PREDICTION: Utah 56, Wyoming 14. Let me know what you think. Email me your predictions/questions rojackson@ksl.com

Team Stat Comparison

	 Utah	Wyoming	Advantage
Points (Per Game)	49.00	12.50
Passing Yards (Per Game)	249.40	171.50
Rushing Yards (Per Game)	188.80	69.17
3rd Down Conversions (Season)	53%	25%
4th Down Conversions (Season)	100%	44%
Time of Possession (Per Game)	28:36	27:17
Red Zone Scores (Season)	92%	62%

Wynn finished the game 9-14 for 82 yards and a touchdown. Terrance Cain, who played the first half for the Utes, didn't play poorly, throwing 10-13 for 121 yards, but the Utes only scored 3 first half points, which didn't sit well with the coaching staff.

Eddie Wide eclipsed 100 yards again, piling up 135 yards on 24 attempts, scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter to seal the victory. The Utes improved to 7-1 (4-0 MWC) with the win.

Utah Miscellaneous Stats

• With last week's win over Iowa State, Utah improved to 21-11 against BCS conference teams and its 21 wins is the most by a NAQ conference team since the BCS began in 1998. Kyle Whittingham is 12-4 against BCS teams and 2-0 this year.
• The Utes are out-scoring their foes by a whopping 101-7 margin in the second quarter
• Utah's last two opponents have converted on just 1-of-23 third down attempts (San Jose State 1-12, Iowa State 0-11).
• Utah leads the nation in kickoff return average (31.17) and ranks third in punt return average (21.32)
• Utah is off to its third 5-0 start in the last seven years (the Utes finished 12-0 in 2004 and 13-0 in 2008).
• Utah has surpassed 50 points in its last three games and is averaging 49.0 points per game. The school record for single-season scoring average is 45.33 ppg set in 2004.
• Utah leads the nation in kickoff returns (31.17 average), sacks allowed (1, tied with Boise State) and tackles for loss allowed (11). Utah also ranks first nationally in sack yardage allowed (4) and TFL yardage allowed (33).
• Utah ranks fourth in the nation and first in the MWC in pass efficiency (173.84).
• Utah is ranked in the top 15 nationally total defense (10th, 267.00) and Scoring Defense (15, 15.60)
• Utah's offense is 3rd nationally in points per game (49.0)

Wyoming Miscellaneous Stats

• Wyoming played its third Top 5 nationally-ranked team of the season when it lost 45-0 at TCU last week. No other team in the country this sason has played three Top 5 ranked teams.
• Wyoming will host the Utah Utes this coming Saturday. Utah will be the fourth UW opponent in seven games this season to be ranked at the time that the Cowboys played them (#4 Texas, #3 Boise State, #5 TCU, #10 Utah).
• Under Dave Christensen, Wyoming has played some of the top-ranked teams in the country over the past two seasons. Entering this week, Wyoming is 9-10 during Christensen's two seasons. Of the 10 losses, seven of those 10 losses have come against Top 25 ranked teams -- Texas twice in 2009 and ‘10, Boise State in 2010, BYU in 2009, TCU in 2009 and ‘10 and Utah in 2009. The other three losses were to Air Force twice (2009 and ‘10) and Colorado (2009).

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