Colorado’s Saturday trip to Utah comes with a familiar face calling the shots for the Utes. Morgan Scalley, in his first season as head coach, will lead No.
11 Utah into Folsom Field for an 8:15 p.m. MT kickoff.
Scalley took over after Kyle Whittingham and did so after a long run beside him, spending 10 seasons as Whittingham’s defensive coordinator. The Utes have opened 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play, and they’re coming off a 41-24 win over Kansas on Oct. 10.
Utah’s head coach has deep roots in Salt Lake City. Scalley played safety for the Utes from 2001-04 and was the captain of the undefeated 2004 team that won the Fiesta Bowl. That season, he picked up second-team AP All-America honors and shared Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
His climb through the program was steady. Scalley joined Utah in 2006 as an administrative assistant, then moved to safeties coach in 2008. He later handled recruiting coordination and special teams before taking over the defense in 2016.
That defense became one of the country’s most reliable units under his watch. Utah finished second nationally in total defense in 2019, when Scalley was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach. His 2025 defense has allowed 18.7 points per game and ranks fifth nationally in passing efficiency defense.
He also had a hand in developing some major talent, including linebacker Devin Lloyd, who was drafted 27th overall by Jacksonville in 2022.
There’s another layer to this matchup, too: Scalley coached Utah’s defense while Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson was with the Utes. Deion Sanders said Tuesday that Wilson will start against his former team.
"Jason Stokes is going to know some things, but at the same time, we have a feel for his strengths and weaknesses," Scalley said Monday while discussing Wilson and Colorado cornerback Jason Stokes Jr., another Utah transfer.
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Buffs Let A Stronger Start Slip Away At Stanford
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Maya McVey provided the steadiest footing for Colorado, carding a 1-over 72 to lead the Buffaloes individually. With the tournament just getting started, the challenge now is whether the rest of the lineup can turn a shaky opener into something more competitive as the rounds continue. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Are One Win From A Breakthrough With NCAA Stakes
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Former Big 12 Quarterback Just Added Intrigue To Colorados Utah Week
Diego Pavia brought an unexpected layer of attention to Colorados buildup for Utah week, showing up around the program to back Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. The former Vanderbilt quarterback, who finished as a Heisman finalist, spent time around the team and even gave viewers a peek behind the curtain through Twitch, adding another dose of buzz to a week already carrying Big 12 stakes.
Pavia also offered his take on Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson, a useful outside perspective as the Buffaloes try to sharpen themselves for one of their biggest conference tests. He sounded optimistic about Colorados path in the Big 12 championship race, and his presence around the team only heightened the sense that this week has a little extra meaning beyond the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]