Tag: utes

Morgan Scalley, Kyle Whittingham’s Utah successor, to coach bowl game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With Kyle Whittingham taking over at Michigan immediately, Utah defensive coordinator and head-coach-in-waiting Morgan Scalley will coach the No. 15 Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday against Nebraska.

Michigan and Utah reached an agreement to allow Whittingham to join the Wolverines right away. Whittingham was set to coach the Las Vegas Bowl as his final game at Utah before stepping down on Friday.

“The University of Utah is grateful for Coach Whittingham’s incredible contributions over his long tenure at the university, and we wish him and his family all the best with this next step in his career,” athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement. “After discussions with Coach Whittingham, his representatives and the University of Michigan, we have granted their request to allow him to join the Michigan program immediately.

“Morgan Scalley is fully prepared to take over leadership of the Utah football program, and we join him in keeping our focus on our team, and supporting our student-athletes through this final game of the 2025 season at the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31.”

Scalley, 46, was officially named Utah’s head-coach-in-waiting on July 1, 2024. Whittingham, 66, coached another two seasons before announcing his intention to step down earlier this month.

Scalley is a Utah alumnus and Salt Lake City native who has spent his entire coaching career on the Utes’ staff, from a graduate assistant in 2007 and a position coach from 2008-15 to becoming the defensive coordinator in 2016.

As for Whittingham, he leaves as Utah’s all-time winningest coach with 177 victories.

“I am grateful to our administration, staff, players and coaches for their commitment, trust and hard work throughout the years,” Whittingham said in a statement. “This university and football program mean a great deal to me, and I am proud of what we have built together. I appreciate the support from the University of Utah allowing me to step away at this time.”

Whittingham went on to thank the fans for their passion and support.

“Utah will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish Coach Scalley and the program a smooth transition and continued success moving forward,” he wrote. “Thank you for everything.”

–Field Level Media

No. 12 Utah battles back to shut down run-heavy Kansas State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devon Dampier threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns and ran for the go-ahead touchdown with 56 seconds remaining to rally No. 12 Utah to a 51-47 victory over Kansas State on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Dampier also ran for 94 yards and two scores to help the Utes (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) stay in the College Football Playoff picture.

Joe Jackson ran for a career-high 293 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Wildcats (5-6, 4-4). Avery Johnson totaled 174 yards on offense, passing for a touchdown and running for another.

Utah cut a 10-point deficit to three on a 20-yard catch by Larry Simmons. The Utes quickly forced a 3-and-out and got the ball back with 2:25 left. Dampier raced 59 yards on 4th-and-1 to set up his own 1-yard go-ahead run three plays later.

Lander Barton intercepted Johnson with 39 seconds remaining to seal the comeback win.

Utah scored on back-to-back drives to open the second half and erase a 10-point halftime deficit. Dampier threw a 38-yard pass to Dallen Bentley to cut Kansas State’s lead to three. Then, Byrd Ficklin flew out of an arm tackle for a 10-yard scoring run to give Utah its first lead at 35-31.

The Wildcats went back ahead when Johnson hit uncovered tight end Garrett Oakley on a 2-yard slant in the end zone on fourth down. Jackson’s third touchdown run from 24 yards out made it 47-37 with 7:00 left.

Jackson had runs of 44 yards and 33 yards to set up the Wildcats’ first two touchdowns. He followed with runs of 66 yards and 80 yards to score Kansas State’s next two touchdowns himself.

By halftime, the Wildcats had piled up 348 yards and four touchdowns on the ground while averaging 18.3 yards per carry.

Utah equalized on the first three scores with quarterback runs. Ficklin scored twice on runs of 10 yards and 6 yards, while Devon Dampier made it 21-21 on an 8-yard QB keeper.

It wasn’t enough to combat Jackson. His second touchdown gave Kansas State a 31-21 halftime lead. The Wildcats scored on five of their seven first half drives.

–Field Level Media

Kansas State faces challenge whoever plays QB for No. 12 Utah

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Keeping quarterbacks healthy is once again a dilemma for No. 12 Utah as it heads into its final regular-season home game against Kansas State on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Starting quarterback Devon Dampier has been battling an ankle injury for at least a month. Dampier’s availability for the Utes on Saturday is still unknown. The junior already missed one game this season and his mobility has been noticeably limited in other recent games when he’s played.

“Day-by-day is (the way) we’re taking it, and that’s the best answer I can give you,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said, noting that Dampier is a physical runner by nature and his style of play takes a toll on his body.

Unlike last season, an injured quarterback hasn’t sent the Utes (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) into a downward spiral. Byrd Ficklin has flourished as Dampier’s understudy, keeping the offense humming with his speed and playmaking abilities.

Ficklin earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors after running for 166 yards and two touchdowns in Utah’s 55-28 victory over Baylor last week. He scored on runs of 67 yards and 74 yards against the Bears. His knack for ripping off big runs has Ficklin leading all Big 12 players with 9.4 yards per carry.

“He’s maturing and becoming more seasoned every single week,” Whittingham said. “He has not had a game where he was inserted where the stage was too big. He has responded every single time he’s been in the game.”

Ficklin’s emergence, coupled with dynamic running from Wayshawn Parker, have given Utah a running attack that is absolutely shredding one opponent after another. The Utes lead the Big 12 with 278.4 rushing yards per game. Utah has 380 or more rushing yards in two of its last three games.

Matching Utah’s potent offense will be a tall task for the Wildcats.

Kansas State (5-5, 4-3) needs a win in one of its two final games to get bowl eligible. The Wildcats moved to the brink of bowl eligibility with a 14-6 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla., where they forced five turnovers.

Moving the chains hasn’t been easy for Kansas State this season. The Wildcats are averaging 354.9 yards per game against fellow Big 12 teams, which ranks 13th in the league. And it only gets harder with them facing the Utes without top receiver Jayce Brown after he suffered a season-ending injury against the Cowboys.

Utah is allowing averages of only 15.6 points and 327.3 yards in 10 games this season.

Still, Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is 3-1 as a double-digit underdog in Big 12 play since 2019. Utah is a 17.5 point-favorite on Saturday.

“Maybe this is a challenge that comes at the right time,” Klieman said. “Maybe we can go carefree and just go and play really good football.”

This is the first meeting between these schools. Kansas State is 0-5 all-time in the state of Utah, with four losses to BYU and a setback to Utah State.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Utes linebacker Lander Barton (8) runs after a catch against the BYU Cougars during the second quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

No. 15 BYU holds off No. 23 Utah for third straight win in Holy War rivalry

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After fourth-quarter touchdown runs by receiver Parker Kingston and quarterback Bear Bachmeier in the fourth quarter, No. 15 BYU held off No. 23 Utah for a 24-21 Big 12 and rivalry win Saturday at Provo, Utah.

BYU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) won its third consecutive game against Utah (5-2, 2-2) in the Holy War rivalry.

Utah scored with 1:24 left on a 2-yard pass from Devon Dampier to Larry Simmons.

The ensuing onside kick did not go 10 yards before the Utes touched the ball. That gave BYU the ball, allowing the Cougars to run out the clock.

Kingston took a sweep to the left before cutting back upfield for a 12-yard score, putting the Cougars in front 17-14 with 11:19 remaining.

The run capped a five-play, 81-yard drive, answering a 49-yard scoring run by Utah’s Daniel Bray on the previous possession.

Bachmeier, who rushed for 64 yards on 11 carries, increased the lead to 24-14 with 4:22 left when he scored on a 22-yard run on third-and-11.

Bachmeier also completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 166 yards and a touchdown.

Dampier, who was 20 of 36 for 244 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, accounted for all the plays that led to his pass to Simmons that cut the lead to 24-21.

He completed all five passes for 58 yards on the possession.

Utah had two of its first three drives end with a turnover on downs, stalling at the BYU 13 and 28.

The Utes suffered the same result on a drive that ended at the BYU 6 with 8:47 left in the third quarter and the Cougars holding on to a 10-7 lead.

After BYU also had a turnover on downs at the Utah 32 on its second possession of the game, the Cougars scored first on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bachmeier to Chase Roberts with 13:37 left in the second quarter.

Dampier’s 11-yard pass to Ryan Davis tied the game at 7 with 3:24 left in the half.

BYU took advantage of a muffed punt return by Mana Carvalho to take a 10-7 lead with a 26-yard field goal by Will Ferrin with three seconds left in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Wittingham looks on in the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Utah, West Virginia both battling for Big 12 bounce-back

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Both Utah and West Virginia are licking their wounds entering Saturday’s showdown in Morgantown, W.V., after suffering one-sided losses to open Big 12 play.

The Utes (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) are just 2-8 in league games since joining the Big 12 last season. Utah sputtered on both sides of the ball in a 34-10 loss to Texas Tech last weekend.

Offensively, the Utes did not find the end zone until early in the fourth quarter. They committed four turnovers and had a first-half touchdown called back on an ineligible receiver penalty.

Then, defensively, Utah unraveled — allowing the Red Raiders to score on three straight fourth-quarter drives to break open a close game. Texas Tech totaled 224 yards on 21 plays to average 10.7 yards per play over the final 15 minutes.

“The defense battled some ridiculous field positions,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Seven of their 14 possessions started at minus-44 or better for Texas Tech and that’s a stress on a defense. I thought they held up exceptionally well all through it until the very end. Disappointed in that.”

Devon Dampier threw for 162 yards and had a pair of interceptions while battling a nagging injury that caused him to miss two days of practice leading up to the game.

West Virginia (2-2, 0-1) sputtered on offense for the second time in three games in a 41-10 loss to Kansas. The Mountaineers committed two turnovers and totaled just 227 yards through the first three quarters while the Jayhawks pulled away.

Nicco Marchiol finished with just 126 passing yards and an interception.

Things were equally bleak in the other phases of the game. West Virginia registered zero sacks after totaling 13 in its first three games and allowed Kansas to rack up 242 rushing yards. On special teams, Kansas had 199 return yards through the first three quarters — including a 94-yard kickoff return and a 32-yard interception return.

“I don’t want to say everything has to be perfect, but everything has to be aligned right,” West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. “Now, there’s going to come a point in time where we don’t have to have everything aligned right, and then you’re still going to be OK. We’re not there.”

This is the first regular-season meeting between Utah and West Virginia. The Utes are 2-0 in the series, beating the Mountaineers in the 1964 Liberty Bowl and the 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Ryan Davis (9) is tackled by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Amier Boyd (27) and linebacker John Curry (6) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

No. 17 Texas Tech loses QB, but handles No. 16 Utah

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Backup quarterback Will Hammond threw 169 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 17 Texas Tech to a 34-10 Big 12 conference victory over No. 16 Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday.

Hammond added 61 yards on the ground while playing much of the second half in relief of Behren Morton. Morton threw for 142 yards and had two interceptions before leaving in the third quarter with an apparent head injury.

On Texas Tech’s opening drive of the third, Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall’s shoulder hit Morton in the helmet when he slid at the end of a 10-yard scramble on 2nd-and-28. Morton immediately headed to the locker room and was ruled out.

Cameron Dickey rushed for 67 yards and two scores for the Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0 Big 12).

Utes quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 162 yards and two interceptions. Utah (3-1, 0-1) mustered only 263 yards on offense and committed four turnovers.

Utah trailed 13-3 early in the fourth before scoring its first touchdown. Wayshawn Parker scored on a 5-yard run with 10:22 left to cut the deficit to 13-10.

The wheels fell off for the Utes as Texas Tech scored touchdowns on three straight drives — a 24-yard run by Dickey and 24-yard and 21-yard passes by Hammond — to seal the victory.

Texas Tech converted a pair of long third downs on its opening drive and got on the board behind a 1-yard run from Cameron Dickey. J’Koby Williams set up the score with a 73-yard catch-and-run on third down, breaking tackles and weaving across the field to get down to the Utah 12.

Stone Harrington nailed a career-best 58-yard field goal to put the Red Raiders up 10-0 in the second quarter.

Utah had trouble generating momentum on offense. In the first quarter alone, the Utes had a 69-yard touchdown pass from Dampier to Jackson Bennee called back on an ineligible receiver penalty, then fumbled on back-to-back drives.

Dillon Curtis got the Utes on the board with a 32-yard field goal on the final play before halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

No. 16 Utah hosts No. 17 Texas Tech with Big 12 supremacy on the line

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Much more than simple bragging rights will be on the line when No. 16 Utah hosts No. 17 Texas Tech in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Both teams look like early Big 12 title contenders amid a string of impressive non-conference victories.

The Utes (3-0) are rolling behind a vastly improved offense after ranking near the bottom of the Big 12 in virtually every major offensive category last season. Through three games, the Utes rank third in the league in scoring offense (45.7 ppg), second in rushing offense (290.0 ypg) and third in total offense (517.0 ypg).

Depth and versatility on that side of the ball has served Utah well to this point. First-year offensive coordinator Jason Beck has utilized a variety of players in his offensive packages.

“Jason has a really good feel for getting the most out of his guys and putting them in positions where they can do the things they do best instead of asking a guy to do something that maybe is not his cup of tea,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Another lynchpin is the play of New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier. His accuracy and decision-making have improved significantly from last season.

Dampier is completing 73% of his passes and has not committed a turnover through three games. He has tallied 826 total yards and eight total touchdowns for the Utes.

Figuring out how to defend him is a real challenge for Texas Tech.

“I wish they had a pro-style quarterback. I’d feel better,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “He’s a dual threat, man. He does a phenomenal job of pulling it down whenever he gets pressure, so we’ve got to stay in our rush lanes. We’ve got to be really disciplined and coordinated in our rush without him getting out.”

The Red Raiders (3-0) will also present a challenge to Utah’s defense.

Texas Tech has an equally electric quarterback leading a dynamic and proficient offense rivaling what the Utes have put together. The Red Raiders lead the FBS in scoring (58.0 ppg) and rank second in total offense (602.7 ypg).

“Texas Tech (has) phenomenal numbers on offense right now,” Whittingham said. “Over 600 yards a game, nearly 60 points, good on third down, good in the red zone, balanced attack, rushing for over 200, and throwing for nearly 400. Really, no weakness. They’ve had an outstanding start to their season.”

It all starts with Behren Morton’s proficiency in running the offense.

Morton is the Big 12’s top passer, with 923 yards and 11 touchdowns on 70.4% passing through three games. He threw for a career-high 464 yards in a 45-14 victory over Oregon State. It marked the second career 400-yard game for Morton.

Utah and Texas Tech are facing one another for the first time since 1973. The Red Raiders won both previous meetings in the series, both played in Lubbock. Texas Tech prevailed in its 1972 matchup 45-2 and won in 1973 29-22.

-Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) carries the ball in the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Devon Dampier tosses 2 TDs as No. 20 Utah takes down Wyoming

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devon Dampier threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns to help No. 20 Utah pull away in the second half for a 31-6 victory over Wyoming in Laramie on Saturday night.

Dampier added 86 yards on the ground, pacing a third straight game for the Utes with at least 200 rushing yards. Utah (3-0) finished with a season-high 311 rushing yards and averaged 6.9 yards per carry. For the Utes, it was their highest single-game total on the ground since churning out 352 rushing yards in a 55-3 win over Arizona State in 2023.

Kaden Anderson threw for 108 yards and an interception for Wyoming, which suffered its fifth straight loss to Utah and ninth in the last 10th meetings between the two former conference rivals. The Cowboys (2-1) committed two turnovers and avoided a shutout on Terron Kellerman’s 15-yard run with 4:23 left.

After struggling to finish drives for an entire half, Utah’s offense finally came to life in the third quarter.

NaQuari Rogers plowed across the goal line from a yard out on his third try for Utah’s first touchdown of the game to cap its opening drive of the second half. Then the Utes made it 17-0 going into the fourth quarter after Dampier capped a 19-play, 80-yard drive by picking up a dropped snap and hitting Larry Simmons with an 8-yard dart.

Utah gained 181 yards on 29 total plays in the third quarter while limiting Wyoming to just seven plays over that 15-minute stretch.

Dampier threw his second touchdown pass — a 14-yard strike to JJ Buchanan — early in the fourth quarter to make it 24-0. Jackson Bennee set up the score after returning an interception 57 yards to the Cowboys’ 18-yard line.

During the first half, Utah moved the ball downfield with ease until crossing the Wyoming 30. Five of six first-half drives for the Utes died inside the 30-yard line.

Utah scored the only points for either team before halftime when Dillon Curtis capped their opening drive with a 43-yard field goal. Then the Utes’ kicking game unraveled.

Curtis missed from 45 yards out on each of Utah’s next two drives, opening the door for the Cowboys to hang around and keep the game close. Aneesh Vyas blocked a fourth field-goal attempt by Curtis — from 46 yards out — with three seconds left before halftime.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Jalen Berger (0) carries for a gain in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA to begin Nico Iamaleava era against Utah

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UCLA football coach DeShaun Foster has kept a tight lid on practices this summer.

With very little to see, there hasn’t been much to report on leading up to the Bruins’ season opener on Saturday night against visiting Utah at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

“We are trying to win games,” said Foster, who went 5-7 in his first season as UCLA’s head coach in 2024. “I’m not worried about marketing. If you win games, you’re marketed.”

The UCLA player who’s drawn the most intrigue is quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who’s set to start on Saturday night after transferring from Tennessee.

Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns with the Volunteers last season, helping them go 10-3 and make their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Iamaleava then reportedly requested a $4 million NIL deal from Tennessee, twice as much as previously asked. After sitting out a spring practice, Iamaleava left the program soon after and landed in Westwood, much closer to his hometown of Long Beach, Calif.

“We got an elite quarterback, so that’s going to change the whole offense,” UCLA running back Jalen Berger said. “He can make any throw.”

UCLA linebacker JonJon Vaughns played against Iamaleava at a rival Southern California high school and said Iamaleava has fit right in with the Bruins, many of whom are also from the area.

“It felt like home,” Vaughns said. “We welcomed him like he’d been here five years.”

Iamaleava will make his team debut against an experienced Utah secondary.

The Utes return starting cornerbacks Elijah Davis and Smith Snowden, and safeties Rabbit Evans and Tao Johnson.

Johnson was the best of the group, finishing second on the team with 70 tackles last season.

Devon Dampier is set to take over the reins as starting quarterback after Cam Rising went down with multiple injuries last season and Isaac Wilson struggled to fill the void, throwing 10 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions.

Dampier was a dual threat for New Mexico last season, passing for 2,768 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and rushing for 1,166 yards and 19 scores.

Previously, only Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels had passed for at least 2,500 yards and rushed for 1,000 in a single season.

–Field Level Media

Utah's Cameron Rising (7) warms up before the college football between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Utah Utes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept., 21, 2024.

Utah QB Cameron Rising (leg) sidelined indefinitely

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising is out indefinitely with a right leg injury, head coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed Monday.

The seventh-year senior sustained his latest injury when he was tackled awkwardly in the first quarter of Friday’s 27-19 loss at Arizona State. He remained in the game but appeared to have trouble planting his right leg.

Rising, 25, had just returned after missing three games with a hand injury suffered in a Sept. 7 win against Baylor.

Rising completed just 16 of 37 passes for 209 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions against the Sun Devils. For the season, he has completed 51.5 percent of his passes for 555 yards with seven TDs and three picks in three games.

Rising was on the roster at Texas in 2018 before transferring to Utah in 2019. He missed all of 2023 with a knee injury.

Freshman signal-caller Isaac Wilson will make his fourth start of the season when Utah (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) hosts TCU (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday night.

Wilson has appeared in five games, completing 55.7 percent of his passes for 830 yards with six TDs and seven interceptions.

–Field Level Media