Johnson and Tommy Grady virtually are taking all the snaps, indicating that there is some definite separation in the quarterback lineup. Grady is solidifying himself at the No. 2 spot, according to offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. Ideally, the Utes want to redshirt junior college transfer Chad Manis and freshman Corbin Louks.

"They have a lot of work to do," Ludwig said. "Chad had one year of junior college ball and he is a little ahead of the game since he was here for spring practice, but he is still real raw. Corbin is still learning and has to adjust to the speed of our game."

As for Grady, he and the coaches feel more comfortable with him leading the offense than they did a year ago.

"I'm really happy with where he is," Ludwig said. "He's shown a lot of growth and he is a much more confident guy. He throws it like nobody else too."

Grady said the biggest help for him was getting a lot of reps in the spring.

"I feel a lot better," he said. "Last summer, I had some ups and downs and we had to split the reps up with three quarterbacks. Now, it's mainly me and Brian, that has helped a lot. I have the backup role, but I know I'm just one play away."

The bottom line

The Utes received a payout of $600,000 for playing in the Armed Forces Bowl last season, and they're going to get $800,000 for playing at Michigan next year. Therefore, playing the Wolverines is a more profitable venture.

Make that a lot more.

By the time Utah paid for the team, band and support staff to stay in Fort Worth for multiple nights last year, lost money on tickets and paid for bowl gifts for players, the university actually lost about $75,000, according to Utah athletic director Chris Hill.

By comparison, the Michigan trip will cost the Utes roughly around $125,000. That number is estimating about $90,000 for the plane charter, $24,000 in hotel rooms and food for a night and about $1,000 for a chartered bus.

"It is a lot more profitable for the bottom line," Hill said. "But the upside to bowl games is the exposure. You get exposure almost throughout the bowl season seeing that line going across the scorer's table."

The Utes won't worry about paying for any frills for that Michigan trip either.

"We're not going to give the players gifts to go to Michigan," Hill said.

On the run

Former Hunter High star Matt Asiata continues to work his way up the depth chart at running back. Currently, he is listed third, but the transfer from Snow College is bulling his way through Utah's defenders and consistently draws praise from coach Kyle Whittingham.

"He continues to impress us," he said. "Ray Stowers had a nice day and Darryl Poston came in great. Those are the top three right now."

Briefly

Today is the first day players can wear full gear. "It will be good to get the new guys in a live situation," Whittingham said. "We know what the offense can do, but we want to see them in a live situation." . . . Brice McCain and Martail Burnett collided in practice. The 6-foot-3, 262-pound Burnett was slower to get up, but both were OK after practice. No injuries were reported, although several players went to the sidelines with cramps. . . . Whittingham is still concerned about the secondary. "We have a lot of capable bodies, but no one has really stepped up," he said. . . . Utah has added corner Terrell Cole to the roster. Cole, 5-foot-11, 190-pounds out of Long Beach, Calif., originally committed to Mississippi, then attended Cerritos College.

Checking in with the Beavers

Mike Riley - head coach for Oregon State, the Utes' opponent in their season opener on Aug. 30 - wants to settle on a quarterback in about a week's time, he told the Corvallis Gazette Times. It is the one offensive position that hasn't been settled, as Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao battle for the starter's role. Canfield, a redshirt sophomore who played in 10 games as a backup last year, is said to have the stronger arm, while Moevao, a redshirt sophomore is more versatile. . . . The Beavers' special teams unit has become an unexpected weak spot. The starting punter quit, kickoff return specialist and part-time starter at corner Coye Francies was dismissed from the team after he was arrested for carrying a loaded firearm, and the expected holder is academically ineligible.

lwodraska@sltrib.com