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  • No. 21 Utah Kicks Off 2026 On Thursday Night With Morgan Scalley Debuting Against Idaho

No. 21 Utah Kicks Off 2026 On Thursday Night With Morgan Scalley Debuting Against Idaho

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Football

SALT LAKE CITY — The 21st‑ranked Utah football team begins a new chapter Thursday night when the Utes host Idaho in the 2026 season opener at Rice‑Eccles Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT, marking the regular‑season head coaching debut of Morgan Scalley, who guided Utah to a 44–22 win over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31.

Scalley, a Salt Lake City native and Utah alum, has been part of the program’s fabric for nearly two decades. He joined the coaching staff in 2008, spent his entire tenure as safeties coach, and was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2016. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s sharpest defensive minds, Scalley was a finalist for the 2019 Broyles Award. As a player, he helped lead Utah’s historic 12–0 season in 2004, when the Utes became the first “BCS Busters” with a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh.

Utah opens the season with three straight home games, extending one of college football’s strongest home‑field advantages. The Utes have sold out 95 consecutive home contests, and over the past five years they own the best home winning percentage in the Big 12 and rank No. 14 nationally during that span (25–6, .806). Rice‑Eccles Stadium has also been a fortress in season openers: Utah has won 17 straight home openers and 10 of its last 11 season openers overall, with the lone loss coming at Florida in 2022.

Quarterback Devon Dampier returns after starting 12 games last season, throwing for 2,490 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 835 yards and 10 scores. His dual‑threat ability has earned him spots on preseason watch lists for the Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Davey O’Brien Awards. Running back Wayshawn Parker also returns after rushing for 981 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, giving Utah continuity in the backfield.

Defensively, Utah brings back its top two tacklers from last season. Linebacker Johnathan Hall led the team with 67 tackles and 6.0 TFL, while safety Jackson Bennee added 64 tackles and 4.0 TFL. Their experience anchors a defense that has long been the program’s identity.

Thursday’s matchup marks the first meeting between Utah and Idaho since 1993, when the Vandals earned a 28–17 win in Salt Lake City. This time, the Utes enter ranked, experienced, and eager to begin the Scalley era with a strong start at home.