Rout 66: No. 21 Utah cruises by Idaho 66-14 in Morgan Scalley’s first home game as head coach
Utah started the season with a blowout win over Idaho.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
During his press conference Monday, the first-year head coach jokingly slammed his fist on the podium and said, “This is a revenge game, brother.”
The reason: Utah lost its last game to Idaho … way back in 1993. Apparently, Scalley has a pretty good memory.
He also got revenge.
No. 21 Utah (1-0) smashed Idaho (0-2) 66-14 Thursday night in Salt Lake City to open Scalley’s first full season as head coach.
Senior quarterback Devon Dampier had 176 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, and three touchdowns, and junior running back Wayshawn Parker finished with 71 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (two receiving and one rushing).
“I feel like the game is slowing down for me,” Dampier said. “That’s probably been the biggest step that I’ve had going into the season.”
Utah’s defense opened the game with an interception by linebacker Trey Reynolds and a fumble recovery by safety Rabbit Evans, which the Ute offense converted into 10 points. Parker capped the period with a 21-yard rushing score to give the Utes a 17-0 lead by the end of the quarter.
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Idaho got back into striking distance with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a three-yard rushing touchdown to cut Utah’s lead to 10 points. Utah responded with a seven-yard passing touchdown from Dampier to wide receiver Braden Pegan to give the Utes a 24-7 lead.
The Utes capped the second period with a three-yard touchdown pass from Dampier to Parker to take a 31-7 lead at halftime.
“We already knew that we were going to come out and everybody was going to go out there and ball out,” Parker said. “We have that standard — no matter who was in that field.”
The Utes continued to pile it on in the third quarter.
Utah started the second half on a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a seven-yard rushing score by wide receiver Braden Pegan to extend its lead to 38-7.
After that touchdown drive, Utah sophomore quarterback Byrd Ficklin took over from Dampier. Ficklin’s first passing touchdown of the game came with 4:55 remaining in the third when he found tight end Noah Bennee for a 35-yard score.
After being stymied by the Ute defense, Idaho finally broke through for its second touchdown of the game with 1:21 left in the third, which brought the score to 45-14.
The Utah offense, though, kept coming. Ficklin put Utah in the red zone after he scampered for a 32-yard gain on a read-option look with 14:53 left in the final quarter.
The next play? He found tight end Hunter Andrews for a nine-yard score with 14:36 remaining. It was Ficklin’s second passing touchdown of the game, giving Utah a 52-14 lead.
“The whole offseason I was trying to keep it on the low,” Dampier said about his fellow quarterback. “Byrd’s going to find his way on the field. He’s a baller, so we’re definitely happy.”
Utah wasn’t done yet. Running back Steve Chavez-Soto scored on a 5-yard run, and LaMarcus Bell broke free for a 34-yard score to put the finishing touches on the rout.
Next, the Utes will take on Arkansas at 8:15 p.m. MDT next Saturday in Salt Lake City.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fireworks are seen between the third and fourth quarters, a Utah Utes tradition to honor two former players who died, during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Thousands of people hold up their phone flashlights between the third and fourth quarters, a Utah Utes tradition to honor two former players who died, during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Two Utah Utes fans hold up two fingers on each of their hands between the third and fourth quarters, a Utah Utes tradition to honor two former players who died, during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) New lights illuminate the stadium during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) prepares to throw the ball during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Army ROTC cadets shoot a ceremonial cannon following a Utah Utes touchdown during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes kicker Dillon Curtis (17) kicks a field goal assisted by Utah Utes punter Orion Phillips (92) during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Mateaki Helu (20) runs the ball as Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) looks on during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes tackle Idaho Vandals running back Hayden Kincheloe (37) during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) hands the ball off to Utah Utes running back Daniel Bray (5) during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Idaho Vandals tackle Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Idaho Vandals defensive back Hysan Dalton (3) tackles Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) as Idaho Vandals linebacker Ryder Bordner (42) assists during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes fans cheer in the stands during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (8) runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (8) runs the ball as safety Nate Tilmon (21) looks to block during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (8) runs the ball as safety Nate Tilmon (21) looks to block during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) avoids a tackle from Idaho Vandals defensive back Khaled Rawls (4) during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes cornerback Elijah Reed (11) tackles Idaho Vandals linebacker Darrell Gipson (11) during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Daniel Bray (5) runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Idaho Vandals defensive back Hysan Dalton (3) tackles Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes celebrate an interception during the first half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A Utah Utes player warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A Utah Utes player warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A Utah Utes player warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley watches during warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley watches during warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley watches during warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley watches during warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley talks with players during warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
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Jason Batacao