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By DOUG ALDEN AP Sports Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah's race for a starting quarterback is close enough that the coaches are having a hard time deciding.
The Utes held a scrimmage Tuesday, giving Brett Ratliff and Tommy Grady one last chance to make an impression before the coaching staff decides who will start next weekend in the season opener.
"It's a competitive situation, and I've always believed that competition is healthy -- to a point," coach Kyle Whittingham said after the scrimmage.
Whittingham and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig planned to evaluate Ratliff and Grady's performances later Tuesday and announce their decision Wednesday.
It will basically come down to Ratliff's experience and ability to lead or Grady's arm strength. Whichever it is, the Utes want to have a starter in place soon. They open the season Sept. 2 at UCLA.
"There comes a point where you have to make decisions, but there was a situation where they were both deserving of continuing to be able to earn the job," Whittingham said. "And there comes a point where you have to cut it off and go with our guy, and that point is now."
Whittingham closed the scrimmage, giving Ratliff and Grady a chance to work without anyone watching and making their own assessment.
Both are ready for the tryout to be over.
"Coaches are going to make the decision. You've just got to play your game," Ratliff said.
Ratliff is trying to hang on to the job he got in November when starter Brian Johnson ruptured a ligament in his knee.
Ratliff led the Utes to an overtime victory at Brigham Young and in the Emerald Bowl over Georgia Tech. He was the No. 1 quarterback in spring practice, but the job was still open entering fall camp.
Johnson returned to practice, but announced last week he was taking a redshirt season to allow his knee to completely heal. That narrowed the choice for Whittingham and Ludwig, but they were still trying to reach a decision a week and a half before the season begins.
At 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, Grady looks a little more like a tight end than a quarterback. His arm has kept him in the race this late in camp.
"Nobody throws it more accurate, further, harder than Tommy Grady. And nobody leads the team like with the poise that Ratliff does," Ludwig said.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-08-22-06 1412MDT
