SALT LAKE CITY — When the Utah Utes take the field against Pittsburgh Thursday, they'll do so with a 17-game winning streak at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The run, which began with a 44-6 thumping of No. 11 UCLA on Sept. 15, 2007, is the second best in school history — trailing only a 26-game streak from 1928-34.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham credits much of the current success to "The MUSS." Membership in the fan club has swelled to more than 6,000.
"It starts with those guys. They're one of the best student sections in the country," Whittingham said while noting that the vocal group had just 300 or 400 members when Urban Meyer coached the Utes in 2003. "It just keeps getting bigger and better each and every year."
The club's enthusiasm and support, he added, is a main reason why Utah has such a home-field advantage.
SIZING UP PITT: Senior defensive end Christian Cox isn't a history major. He just sounded like one when asked about Pittsburgh during Monday's press conference at the Smith Center.
"They're pretty old school. Some of their plays are from like 1908, like 'power O' and 'counter.' They run a lot of that," Cox said. "But definitely they are just a power team. Just power, power and power. It's pretty neat because in college football and high school today, the trend is spread. That's kind of neat to see old school."
READY TO RETURN: Senior running back Matt Asiata, who was leading the Mountain West Conference in rushing when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of 2009, isn't looking back. He's eager to play again.
"I think I've got it behind me. I'm just excited because it's almost been a year since I've been out there," Asiata said. "I'm just excited to go out there and play with the team."
The coaches and especially his family, he explained, provide additional motivation for a successful return.
PITTSBURGH PERSPECTIVE: Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is hoping his Panthers play a "clean game" Thursday and avoid an abundance of turnovers and penalties against the Utes.
"They're a very good team at home," he said. "We know all the numbers, all the statistics and our football team will have to be in prime-time sync in all areas."
EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham confirmed that sophomore running back Sausan Shakerin (concussion) is out indefinitely and that junior linebacker J.J. Williams (foot) is questionable for the Pitt game. ... Junior linebacker Jamel King (concussion) is no longer on the injured list. ... Sophomore safety Bryce Bennion, a walk-on who saw action in two games on special teams last season, has left the program. ... The remainder of Utah's practices this week will be closed to the media.
e-mail: dirk@desnews.com