Utes’ Whittingham looks for ways to improve team

Utah is 7-1 in record only.

The Utes, in reality, haven't played like a 7-1 team, much less one ranked No. 17.

And coach Kyle Whittingham knows it.

So he shook up his football team, benching quarterback Terrance Cain in the Utes' 22-10 victory over Wyoming on Saturday and removing the redshirt from freshman Jordan Wynn by putting him in. A starter hasn't been announced for this Saturday's home game against New Mexico.

Whittingham also took the play-calling out of offensive coordinator Dave Schramm's hands and brought him down to the sideline. Receivers coach Aaron Roderick was sent to the coaches' booth to call plays.

"You're always looking for any way to get better, and I believe any opportunity you see for improvement, you've got to take it," Whittingham said.

The Utes have been scraping by this season, winning by 10 points over San Jose State, by seven over Colorado State and by seven in overtime over Air Force. Not a good sign with games remaining against Texas Christian and Brigham Young.

So Whittingham didn't wait to make changes.

"Why wait until things start to go south?" he asked. "You're not always right. I'm not sitting here saying every decision I make or we make is correct, but you've got to do what you think is right and is best.

"Everything's a gamble. If you see something wrong and stand pat and don't try to improve on it, that's a gamble."

• LOST LOBOS -- Those in power at New Mexico probably thought the controversy would die down once coach Mike Locksley's 10-game suspension ended Oct. 25.

But then ESPN visited Albuquerque, revealing on "Outside The Lines" and on its Web site that notes from interviews with assistant coaches indicate Locksley swung at and choked then-assistant J.B. Gerald.

That revelation was an embarrassment for New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs, who had insisted evidence didn't show an altercation taken to such extremes.

Krebs has called a news conference for today, telling the Albuquerque Journal, "I think the situation needs to be cleared. The misperception of a cover-up needs to be clarified, and we're going to walk people through that."

• ANOTHER 'GAMEDAY' VISIT -- ESPN is all over the Mountain West Conference. But unlike the network's trip to New Mexico, ESPN's visit to Air Force on Saturday will be a positive experience.

Its popular "College GameDay" show will tie in with Veterans Days on Nov. 11. Air Force hosts Army on Saturday.

"I've never been involved in football games that are more intense than service-academy games," Falcons coach Troy Calhoun said. "That includes NFL games -- Denver-Oakland, Denver-Kansas City, playoff games."

After not doing its show from a Mountain West site in five years, this will be "GameDay's" second visit to a MWC school this season. It also broadcast from BYU on Oct. 24 when the Cougars hosted TCU.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.