We’re just defining and identifying who’s ready to play and who‘s not right now. – Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

SALT LAKE CITY — So much for the defense being ahead. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said it appears the offense has caught up.

“It was good to see the offense come alive today and really that’s probably their best performance in camp as far as far as putting it together and executing and playing with some confidence,” Whittingham said. “It was good to see and we need to see more of it and we expect we will.”

Whittingham added that quarterbacks Travis Wilson, Kendal Thompson and Chase Hansen did a good job leading the offense.

“All three played well today,” Whittingham said. “I thought all three performed.”

The pecking order at quarterback, he continued, has not changed with Wilson leading the way.

Whittingham noted that the defense is usually ahead at the start of camp and perhaps was dominant longer than hoped. The offense, he explained, is all about execution and takes more time to come together.

In Tuesday’s closed scrimmage, Whittingham said the offense did some good things.

“We got done what we needed to get done,” he summarized, noting that the scrimmage involved work in specific situations.

NOT PLEASED: Defensive coordinator John Pease wasn’t happy with what he saw in Wednesday morning’s practice — especially up front.

“No good. We got knocked in the end zone from the 10-yard line,” Pease explained. “We just got blown out. It was embarrassing today.”

Pease, however, acknowledged that it was great for Utah’s offense.

“But they had some our guys knocked in the end zone from the 5-yard line. That’s ridiculous,” he continued. “Michigan won’t be like that. They’ll be nice soft guys. Good grief. What are we thinking about? Really, really embarrassing. More than anything else, I think that’s the word.”

IN THE MOMENT: Whittingham didn’t have much to say about news that Utah and BYU have agreed to an extension that will pit the rivals in annual games from 2016-2020.

“I didn’t know that,” said Whittingham, who noted that he was at least aware of next season’s meeting with the Cougars. “I’m just focused on this year. Period. Don’t care about anything beyond this year.”

DEVELOPING STORY: As camp enters its final couple of days — single practices Thursday and Saturday as well as a double day on Friday — Whittingham indicated that many position battles probably won’t be determined until Monday.

“We’re just defining and identifying who’s ready to play and who‘s not right now,” he said.

The Utes broke into scout teams for the first time Wednesday. Whittingham, though, noted that there are still a few guys on the fence and the coaching staff needs to decide what to do with them.

EXTRA POINTS: Freshman Tyrone Smith, who topped this week’s depth chart at “Z” receiver, is getting a look as a defensive back for 2-3 days. Whittingham noted that Smith has the same type of body frame as former successful U. defenders like Sean Smith, Keith McGill and Eric Rowe . . . Junior college transfer Cory Butler-Byrd has made a permanent switch from receiver to cornerback . . . Whittingham said the Utes came out of Tuesday’s scrimmage healthy with “just some bumps and bruises and maybe a twisted ankle or two.”

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