Morgan Scalley came away from Utah’s win over Arkansas with plenty to like, and he started with the bigger picture: the Utes handled their business while other programs around the country have stumbled through the first two weeks of the season.
For Scalley, the cleanest part of the night was up front. He liked the way both the offensive and defensive lines dealt with an SEC opponent, and he singled out Jireh Moe as the kind of disruptive force Utah wanted when it brought him in from the portal. Scalley said the Utes targeted Moe for his ability to win one-on-one matchups in the trenches, and that trait showed up against the Razorbacks.
He was just as upbeat about the offense’s efficiency. Devon Dampier drew praise for the way he looked and how efficiently he operated, while Noah Bennee turned in the kind of performance Scalley had been waiting for. Scalley said Bennee is a player he has loved since his walk-on days, adding that he always believed Bennee could help them win games and jumped at the chance to bring him back once he entered the portal.
The special teams also earned a strong review, especially Orion Phillips’ “monster punt” and the two-point conversion. The one area Scalley wanted cleaned up was the penalty count. Utah was flagged five times, and he made it clear he does not want that becoming a habit.
Scalley also said both coordinators had outstanding game plans. On the defensive side, he liked how the secondary competed, with Utah finishing with 13 pass breakups.
He pointed to the importance of knocking balls down at the line of scrimmage, saying it can wear on a quarterback’s confidence. He also credited the progress Wayshawn Parker has made as a leader, tying that growth to the work Utah’s backs have put in the weight room.
Even though Lance Holtzclaw did not start, Scalley said he still played a key role in the victory. He said he trusts Colton Swan and defensive end coach Inoke Breckterfield to handle those personnel decisions, and noted that Utah has four starters at defensive end. With the way the Utes rotate and use different groupings, he said the team may not know exactly who it is until week five, but the early signs are encouraging because the group keeps answering every challenge.
Scalley also took time to talk about Eric Weddle, who is going into the Ring of Honor. He described the former safety’s athleticism and football IQ as elite and said Weddle continues to represent the University of Utah the right way.
The night also included a tackle that stood out to Scalley: Johnathan Hall’s open-field stop on Jackson in the first half. He said Utah’s improved tackling in the game came from what the team has emphasized in practice, and that play was a perfect example.
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Why Utah Took A Chance On Jireh Moe Up Front
Utah knew exactly what it was getting when it brought in Jireh Moe from San Jose State after the 2025 season, even if the fit looked a little unconventional at first glance. Listed at 6-foot and 280 pounds, the defensive tackle is shorter and lighter than the prototype many teams look for inside, but Morgan Scalleys staff saw a player whose production and underlying numbers matched the film.
Moe has since shown why the Utes were willing to bet on him, turning himself into a steady, technically refined presence up front and earning a starting job in Salt Lake City. For Utah, it is another reminder that size is only part of the evaluation process, especially when a player keeps stacking consistent snaps and brings enough skill to hold his own against bigger bodies. [Read more 🡒]
Utah's New-Look Offense Just Gave Fans Plenty To Dream On
Utahs season opener offered plenty of proof that Kevin McGivens new-look offense can be more than just a talking point. The Utes rolled past Arkansas 43-10, mixing in creative play-calling with efficient execution, and the result was a performance that felt far more explosive and unpredictable than what fans had grown used to seeing.
Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin helped spring one of the days most memorable trick plays, while Wayshawn Parker powered the ground game with three touchdowns. Utahs defense did its part, too, piling up 13 pass breakups, its most since 1998, and the combination gave the Utes a glimpse of a team that may have more ways to win than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Devon Dampier Just Showed How Dangerous Utah Can Be
Utahs latest win was the kind that makes it hard to ignore how quickly Morgan Scalleys team has settled in. Devon Dampier accounted for four touchdowns in the 43-10 rout of Arkansas, and Wayshawn Parker added three more as the Utes controlled the game on both sides of the ball. The defense was just as sharp, piling up 13 pass breakups and leaving Arkansas searching for answers throughout the afternoon.
The performance pushed Utah to 3-0 under Scalley and offered another clear sign that this group can hurt opponents in multiple ways. Arkansas, meanwhile, had a rough offensive night in its second game under Ryan Silverfield, and the Utes turned that mismatch into a convincing statement. The bigger question now is how much more dangerous Utah can become if this balance holds up. [Read more 🡒]