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After being outplayed by the offense the last couple days, Utah's defense stepped things up in practice Wednesday. "The concentration and the way our guys were moving around, wrapping up and all those things we demand was good," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "The offense has been good but the defense picked it up today." One area that went without much scrutiny was the kicking game. Whittingham said the kickers, who have struggled with consistency, worked by themselves in the hopes they settle down. "Both have strong legs and talent and ability," he said of Nick Marsh and Coleman Petersen. "But like I said it is a mental game and a confidence issue." Other phases of the special teams are strong, Whittingham said. On the injury front, Whittingham hopes to have receivers DeVonte Christopher and Anthony Denham back Thursday. Getting Denham back as soon as possible is crucial since the receiver missed all of camp with a hamstring injury and is falling behind the other receivers.