University of Utah head football coach Morgan Scalley addressed the media Monday during a weekly press conference held at the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center. Scalley provided analysis on the team's recent victory over BYU and discussed the upcoming matchup against Arizona.
Reflecting on the game against BYU, Scalley noted the offense had a strong 14-0 start but struggled with dropped passes and turnovers that allowed the opponent to take the lead. He credited the second-half offense for clicking and noted that Devon Dampier served as a primary weapon during that period. Scalley also highlighted several key defensive plays, including interceptions by James Chenault, Lance Holtzclaw, and Trey Reynolds, as well as a significant interception by Richie to seal the game.
Regarding special teams, Scalley expressed a need for improvement, citing a missed field goal due to snap, hold, and exchange issues, as well as an offsides penalty on the kickoff unit. He noted that while Dillon Curtis has been consistent in kicking kickoffs through the end zone, the unit as a whole was not clean enough. He credited Mana for helping save hidden yards through the punt return game.
Looking ahead to the game in Tucson, Scalley described Arizona as a very good team with a 7-2 record. He noted that Arizona ranks 19th in total offense and 6th in passing offense, led by quarterback Noah Fifita. Scalley characterized the Arizona defense as disruptive, ranking 10th in sacks and 13th in tackles for loss. He emphasized the importance of the offensive line's performance in protecting the quarterback against Arizona's pressure.
In other athletic news, Scalley noted that the men's and women's basketball teams both secured wins. The women's team is scheduled to play Bethune-Cookman at home, while the men's team is scheduled to host Weber State on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Additionally, the cross-country crew is scheduled to compete in the NCAA Regionals in Albuquerque on Friday, November 13, 2026.
The University of Utah football team is scheduled to travel to Arizona for a matchup against the Wildcats.
