FRESNO, Calif. — Former Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn acknowledged that it was a little strange being on the opposing sidelines Saturday night. Wynn, who played for the Utes from 2009-12, is a volunteer assistant coach at Fresno State.
“It’s different, but it is what it is,” Wynn said.
Before the game, Wynn interacted briefly with some of his former teammates out on the field at Bulldog Stadium.
“It’s funny seeing all these guys. They’re so much bigger,” he said. “They came into the program 18 years old, now they’re all seniors.”
Wynn noted that Utah starting left guard Isaac Asiata was his roommate for a year and that there are still several players in the program from his days with the Utes. Teammates include linebacker Jared Norris, defensive end Hunter Dimick and nickel back Justin Thomas, defensive standouts Wynn watched on film all week while preparing for the game.
“It’s a little different,” he said. “It’ll be interesting, but it should be a good game tonight.”
After Wynn’s playing career ended, he spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons on Norm Chow’s staff at Hawaii. He then accepted an offer to assist Fresno State offensive coordinator and ex-Utah assistant Dave Schramm this season.
“It’s good to be back with him. He recruited me,” Wynn said. “That was my coach. Me and him have a lot of history, so it’s been good to be here with him.”
Wynn plans to continue pursuing a coaching career.
“I think this is definitely something that I was cut for,” he said, adding that he’s keeping in contact with everyone and will see what full-time jobs open after the season ends.
Returning to Utah someday, Wynn admits, is something he would appreciate.
“I’d love to, to be honest,” he said. “I loved my time there, but it’s all about timing . . . we’ll see.”
TAKEAWAY TOUCHDOWN: When junior defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter it marked the second time the Utes have scored on such a takeaway in less than a year. Former Utah cornerback Davion Orphey had a 53-yard fumble recovery for a TD against USC on Oct. 25, 2014.
OREGON KICKOFF: The start time for Utah’s game at Oregon on Saturday was announced shortly after the Utes' victory. It’ll be broadcast by Fox at 6:45 p.m., MT.
NO MORE GRASS: Unlike Utah’s three previous trips to Fresno State — in 1989, 1992 and 1997 — the game was not played on natural grass. The Bulldogs had FieldTurf installed in 2011 at a cost of $1.2 million.
EXTRA POINTS: Dimick and wide receiver Tim Patrick did not make the trip while recovering from unspecified injuries . . . Utah athletics director Dr. Chris Hill also missed the game. He had shoulder surgery last week . . . The Utes’ charter flight back to Salt Lake City was scheduled to arrive at approximately 3:30 a.m. . . . Defensive end Kylie Fitts made his first career start for Utah . . . Cornerback Dominique Hatfield started for the first time since returning to the team earlier this month.
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