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Albuquerque • Utah quarterback Terrance Cain went from shaky to sensational for the Utes in their 56-14 win over New Mexico on Saturday.

Cain was incomplete on his first two pass attempts, including an overthrown ball to Jereme Brooks in the end zone. He also had another incomplete pass negated by a New Mexico penalty.

The senior settled in after those miscues and finished 20-of-23 for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

His completion percentage was a school record while his yardage was his second highest total in a Utah uniform, tying the 248 yards he threw against CSU and San Jose State last year.

He connected on his final 11 passes before leaving the game with the outcome well in hand for the Utes.

True to his nature, Cain credited his teammates for his success.

"The receivers were open, I just had to get them the ball," he said.

Cain watched the fourth quarter from the bench, otherwise he might have broken his personal best. He threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns against Utah State in the 2009 season opener, a 35-17 victory.

Saturday's win improved Cain to 9-1 as a starter, with the lone loss being to Oregon 31-24 when the Utes were ranked No. 18.

With sophomore Jordan Wynn still sidelined with a sprained thumb, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham hinted for the first time there might be some debate as to who should quarterback the Utes.

"Jordan is our starter and Terrance has done a great job in his absence," he said. "We will continue to evaluate everything but I couldn't be more pleased with what Terrance Cain has done in Jordan's absence."

One of Cain's best moments Saturday came just before halftime when he lead the Utes on a seven-play, 80-yard drive in which he completed six passes and scored on a 12-yard run.

He threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Brooks to start the second half. It was his longest touchdown pass since throwing a 90-yarder to David Reed against Air Force last year.

"He made a great route and I couldn't miss it," Cain said. —

Terrance Cain heats up, then takes a break

1 - 4-of-6 21 yds.

2 - 11-of-12 103 yds.

3 - 5-of-5 124 yds.

4 - DNP