After two games, Morgan Scalley likes what he sees from Utah football - but he’s not ready to hand out any long-term labels just yet.
The Utes’ head coach said the early returns have been encouraging because the team is playing clean, staying efficient and showing its identity on the field. Speaking on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone with Scott Gerard and Tim Lacomb, Scalley pointed to the details that have stood out most in Utah’s 2-0 start.
“What I am pleased with is how clean we’re playing, how efficient we are, the culture showing up on the field,” Scalley said. “To me, that’s the biggest thing.”
At the same time, he made it clear that a couple of good weeks don’t tell the full story.
“I’ve always said I don’t think you know who you are until midway through the season,” he said.
That caution hasn’t stopped Scalley from liking the way his team is functioning so far, especially the unselfish edge that’s showing up across the roster. In his view, the best sign of Utah’s culture is how willing players are to do the work that helps someone else succeed.
“It doesn’t matter who scores. It matters that we score,” he said. “And, you know, if we’re winning, everyone’s going to get theirs.”
That mindset has been visible in all sorts of places. Scalley mentioned receivers Creed Whittemore and Larry Simmons for the way they’ve embraced blocking duties.
He also brought up tight end Hunter Andrews, who put an Arkansas defensive end on his back. Jireh Moe’s production against Arkansas was another example of the load being shared, and safety Nate Ritchie drew praise for playing his best football after working back from back issues following his mission.
Scalley sees that kind of buy-in as a sign the group is moving toward the right kind of collective focus. He also said the staff looks for those traits when recruiting, paying attention to how prospects respond to hard coaching, accept different roles and carry themselves around others. Current players help in that process, too, offering feedback after spending time with recruits.
The quarterback relationship between Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin has become another example of that same theme. Scalley said Dampier has helped bring Ficklin along, and that both players have handled the arrangement without ego getting in the way.
“They understand that both of them are vital to our success and both of them are fulfilling roles for us that are winning us games,” Scalley said. “And it all goes back to willingness to learn and listen and compete together.”
That partnership has also expanded what Utah can do on offense. With both quarterbacks involved, defenses have to account for more possibilities, and Scalley said that can make opponents either more aggressive in trying to hit the quarterbacks or more hesitant because they’re worried about a trick play.
Still, neither player has backed off his competitive streak.
“I think both of them think that they’re the guy,” Scalley said. “So that’s a good thing.”
Up front, Utah has also taken steps forward on both sides of the ball. Scalley said he has liked the technique and push from the offensive and defensive lines, two units that entered the season with questions.
Against Arkansas, he said the defensive line did a strong job affecting the quarterback with hits and hurries, forcing throws before the passer wanted to release them and helping create chances for the secondary. Utah finished that game with 13 pass breakups, and Scalley said the pressure and coverage worked together even when the rush didn’t produce a sack.
The offensive line has earned praise as well, especially for its combination blocks and the way it has protected Dampier. Scalley did note that Dampier’s interception against Arkansas came on a play when he was hit by a defensive lineman.
One detail stood out in particular: through two games, Utah has not had a false start on the offensive line.
“Through two games, we’ve not had one false start on the offensive line, which is huge,” Scalley said.
That kind of clean play gives the rebuilt front something solid to build on, even if every week brings a different challenge.
Health-wise, Utah appears to be in a good spot heading into its matchup with Utah State. Scalley said the Utes are essentially at full strength.
“Yeah, I think we’re to the point now where we’re at full strength,” he said.
He also gave the Aggies credit for the way they pursue, tackle and play technique up front. While Utah State lost to Idaho State, Scalley said turnovers and momentum can swing a game quickly. He also pointed to Bronco Mendenhall’s track record and said he has confidence in the culture Mendenhall is building at Utah State.
For Utah, the formula remains simple: keep the execution sharp, keep the effort high and keep letting the culture show up when the games start. Scalley likes where things are headed, but he wants to see it hold as the season unfolds.
In Other News...
Utah Fans Just Got Their First Real Look At Alex Jensens Test
The first real glimpse of Alex Jensens Utah basketball build came this week when the Big 12 released its 2026-27 mens schedule, giving the Utes a clearer picture of the grind waiting for them in conference play. Utah will have the standard 18-game league slate, split evenly between home and away, and it already comes with the familiar regional pressure points that tend to shape a season long before March.
BYU, Colorado and Oklahoma State are on the docket as home-and-away partners, which means no shortage of measuring-stick chances for a program trying to establish itself under a new coach. Before the league race fully takes over, Utah also has a nonconference calendar that includes 12 home games and select road trips, with the season set to open Nov. 2 against Long Beach State. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs Defense Is Building Real Momentum At The Perfect Time
Utahs early-season defensive surge has given the Utes a steady base to build on, and Lance Holtzclaw sounded like a player who can feel the difference. In a media session, the defensive standout pointed to the groups collective effort and the way the unit has leaned into versatility, with players able to handle different responsibilities depending on the call. Holtzclaw also talked about his own experience dropping into coverage, a small but telling sign of how much this defense asks its pieces to do.
The next test comes against Utah State, and Holtzclaws comments suggested the Utes are treating it as another chance to sharpen an identity that is starting to take shape. He praised Coach Swanns style and described a team approach that has emphasized preparation and adaptability, two traits that tend to matter more as the schedule settles in. For Utah, the challenge now is keeping that momentum from being just a good start and turning it into something more durable. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs Rebuilt O-Line Is Changing One Big Concern Early
Utahs offensive line entered the season with the sort of uncertainty that usually takes a few weeks to sort out, because all five starters were new and Jordan Gross had to piece together a group on the fly. Through the first two games, though, Zereoue Williams, Alex Harrison, Solatoa Moeai, Roger Alderman and Cedric Jefferson have done more than hold their own. The Utes have stayed near the top of the national charts in points and yards per game, and the front has looked steady enough to give the offense a real early foundation.
For a team that needed answers up front, the bigger surprise may be how quickly the line has started to look settled. The unit has drawn praise for its communication and overall cleanliness, and it has given Utah a workable mix of size and movement that has helped the offense stay on schedule. There is still plenty of season left, of course, but what had looked like one of the clearest concerns on the roster is becoming a far less obvious problem. [Read more 🡒]