The University of Utah football team opened its 2026 season with a decisive 66-14 victory over Idaho on Sept. 3, 2026, marking a dominant start to a campaign that follows a rigorous fall training camp. The win sets the stage for a Big 12 Conference schedule that includes upcoming home games against Arkansas and Utah State.
Upcoming Schedule and Matchups
The victory over Idaho serves as the first completed game on the Utah football schedule for the 2026 season. Following the win on Sept. 3, the team is scheduled to host Arkansas on Sept. 12 at 8:15 p.m. Looking further ahead, the Utes will face Utah State on Sept. 19 and travel to play Iowa State on Sept. 26.
Coaching Staff Leadership
The University of Utah's coaching staff for the 2026 season is led by head coach Morgan Scalley. Other key members of the coaching staff include offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven and defensive coordinator Colton Swan, who also serves as the linebackers coach. The staff also includes Sharrieff Shah as associate head coach, cornerbacks coach, and special teams coordinator, and Mark Atuaia as assistant head coach and running backs coach.
Roster Composition and Key Players
The 2026 roster features a deep lineup of athletes across several positions. The quarterback position is occupied by Devon Dampier, a senior from Phoenix, Arizona, who previously played for Saguaro High School and New Mexico. Other notable players include sophomore running back Wayshawn Parker, a junior from Richmond, California, and sophomore running back Daniel Bray from Fort Worth, Texas.
On the defensive side, the roster includes sophomore linebacker Cyrus Polu from St. George, Utah, and senior linebacker Trey Reynolds from Queen Creek, Arizona. The defensive secondary features several experienced players, including senior cornerback Kyri Shoels from Las Vegas, Nevada, and senior cornerback JC Hart from Loachapoka, Alabama. The team also includes redshirt junior linebacker Cruz Hepburn, who was noted as a top returning tackler for Idaho in separate regional reporting.
Idaho Season Kickoff
The University of Idaho football program began its own season on Aug. 28, 2026, with a matchup against Cal Poly at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California. The game, which was broadcast on ESPN, marked the season debut for Idaho's coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker, defensive coordinator Lee Stalker, and special teams coordinator Joe Begnal.
Vandals Training and Recruitment
Idaho's head coach, Thomas Ford Jr., expressed optimism following the conclusion of the team's fall training camp, noting that the group remained disciplined and focused throughout the offseason. The Vandals entered the season with one of the highest-ranked recruiting classes in program history, having brought in 17 three-star prospects during the offseason.
Big 12 Conference Landscape
The Big 12 Conference continues to see high levels of national interest, with several teams receiving preseason accolades. The conference includes programs such as Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, and BYU. The 2026 season for Big 12 teams involves a variety of national broadcast assignments, including matchups on ESPN and ESPNU.
Season Outlook
As the season progresses, the University of Utah will face a demanding schedule including a matchup against No. 23 Houston on Oct. 24 and a road game against Colorado on Oct. 17. The team will also travel to play Cincinnati on Oct. 31.
