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The two-minute drill wasn't going so hot. Incompletion, incompletion, delay of game, incompletion, false start. On fourth-and-20, the Troy Williams-led offense needed a big play.

It got one when Williams connected with receiver Tyrone Smith over the middle of the field for a 68-yard pass that set up a "game-winning" field goal.

"The safety was kinda low, so I was trying to get over his head," Williams said. "I just looked for the deepest route of all of my receivers. I trusted he would make that play for me."

Fortunately for Williams, his chances of starting at quarterback for Utah this fall appear better than the odds of completing another fourth-and-20.

Coach Kyle Whittingham said the junior, who had previous stops at Washington and Santa Monica College before joining the Utes in the winter, has "the edge" at winning the three-QB competition to lead the offense.

"He's doing a great job running the offense, taking charge," Whittingham said. "He's starting to show some separation between the other two."

How much separation is known only to the team, which has only opened the last 20 minutes of seven fall practices to the media. But Williams' highlight play was the star moment of Thursday's scrimmage during the open portion, and coaches suggested it wasn't his only big play of the day.

Adding big plays in the passing game weighs heavily on the minds of the team that finished next-to-last in Pac-12 passing last season.

"That was a huge play," Whittingham said. "That's the type of plays we need to be able to make."

The competition isn't over. Junior Brandon Cox and freshman Tyler Huntley are still hoping to be the starter, though Cox acknowledged that both had turnovers during the scrimmage.

Huntley's deft touch on long passing plays has raised intrigue for the Florida freshman's future, while Cox has the advantage of experience and a full grasp of the playbook.

"I feel like I came out here to compete," Cox said. "I felt like I had control of the offense. I think all three of us played well. … I'm ready for whatever. [The decision] is up to Coach Whitt and his staff."

Whittingham wouldn't say precisely when he plans to name a starter, but has stressed sooner will be better.

The battle could continue next week, however, which isn't a big problem given that all three are pass-first quarterbacks and work with similar strengths, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said.

"All three of these guys are very good passers," he said. "That's a nice luxury that all three of them can throw it down the field. It's not like we're changing what we do depending on who is down there."

Williams had an injury-shortened spring when an unspecified shoulder injury kept him out of the final three weeks of practice, including the spring game. Whittingham said Williams has helped make up that missed time with lots of offseason work, particularly in the film room. He called Williams "a student of the game."

For his part, Williams downplayed the endorsement.

"It means a lot, but like I said, I'm just taking it one day at a time," he said. "We're all supportive as a unit, and as an offense. We support one another. I just take it one play at a time and leave all those decisions up to Coach Whitt."

Twitter: @kylegoon