Morgan Scalley has heard the old clip making the rounds again, the one from 2004 when he was a Utah senior and said he hated BYU “with a passion.”
This week, with the rivalry back in the spotlight, Utah’s head coach made clear he wants something different from the matchup now.
“I know that’s probably going around the internet right now what I said my senior year,” Scalley said this week.
And yes, he knows exactly what people are talking about. But the tone he wants around this game is a lot less combustible than the one that has often surrounded it.
“At the end of the day, it’s mine and [BYU head coach Kalani Sitake’s] hope that this thing can be more civil,” Scalley said. “The hatred, the toxicity that is spewed - from both sides - to me, it’s not good for the rivalry.”
Sitake, who worked under Scalley when he was Utah’s defensive coordinator, said the relationship between the two programs is built on familiarity and respect.
“There’s tons of respect on both sides, and I mean I have a lot of love for Utah and for their head coach and for the people there,” Sitake said. “Those are still my friends, and I would not be in this position if it weren’t for that school.”
He also noted that the crossover between the schools is part of what makes the matchup what it is.
“That’s how this rivalry goes,” he said. “There’s a lot of crossover.
I know there are a lot of people that go to undergrad here at BYU and then go up to the U and do their post-grad stuff. And there are all these families there where one went to Utah, one went to BYU, and that’s what makes it fun.
“But I think we could keep it focused on fun and enjoyment, and really appreciate where we’re at.”
The rivalry has long carried religious overtones, since BYU is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scalley said he wants that part of the conversation to fade.
Both head coaches are Latter-day Saints, and many of their assistants and players are members of the church as well.
“I think we make too much of that,” Scalley said of the religious ties. “There are young men playing on both teams that aren’t LDS, and there are fans that aren’t LDS.
“At the end of the day, does God care who wins this game? No.
Does he care about people? Yeah, and so I think we can be better to each other in that realm.”
The No. 3 Utes will meet their in-state rival Saturday at 10 a.m. MST in Salt Lake City, and Scalley used the week to urge fans to keep things in perspective.
“What makes it great is that it’s competitive,” Scalley said. “Look at us, we’re in one state within 30 minutes of each other, and we’re both sitting here ranked in the top 10. That’s awesome.”
In Other News...
BYU Heads Into Utah With One Huge Question On Offense
BYUs offense has been searching for its footing on the ground since star running back LJ Martin went down with a leg injury, and the timing has not been ideal with Utah next on the schedule. The Cougars have seen their running game slide over the last four games, and the issue has been compounded by injuries along the offensive line, leaving a unit that once looked like a strength trying to piece itself back together before a rivalry test.
Martin did practice recently, which at least gives BYU some hope as it heads into the matchup, but his status is still up in the air. Coaches and players have been clear that fixing the run game will take more than one return, and the Cougars know they will need a collective push up front if they want to get back on track against Utah. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Biggest Utah Question May Come Down To LJ Martin
LJ Martins return could end up being one of the bigger swing factors in BYUs buildup to Utah. The Cougars have been waiting on their running back since he went down with an ankle injury on Oct. 3, and he was back on the practice field recently, which at least gives BYU a little more hope heading into a rivalry game that always carries extra weight.
Aaron Roderick said it is still too early to say whether Martin will be ready, so the Cougars are left with an important question hanging over the week. Preston Rex is expected back, which helps, but BYU would clearly feel better if Martin can join him, especially with Utah on deck and the margin for error in a game like this usually pretty thin. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Heads To Utah With Its Big 12 Hopes Suddenly On The Line
Utahs decisive win over Cincinnati has reshaped the Big 12 race, with the Utes now sitting atop the standings and suddenly looking like the team everyone else has to chase. Arizonas loss to Texas Tech also knocked the Wildcats out of the title picture, tightening the focus even more as the conference heads into a Week 10 slate that could start to separate the true contenders from the rest of the pack.
For BYU, the timing could hardly be more important. The Cougars head to Utah with their Big 12 hopes suddenly on the line in a matchup that carries real weight for the conference championship chase, while several other teams are still trying to lock up bowl eligibility. It is the kind of late-season game that can change the tone of a race in a hurry, and BYU is walking into it with plenty at stake. [Read more 🡒]