In their first meeting since 1993, Utah wins 66-14, led by new head coach Morgan Scalley and standout performances from Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker
The No. 21 Utah Utes kicked off their NCAA season with a commanding 66-14 victory over the Idaho Vandals on September 3, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Why it matters: This matchup marked the first meeting between the two programs in over three decades, with Utah looking to assert dominance under new head coach Morgan Scalley.
This game was the first contest between Utah and Idaho since October 1993, when Idaho won 28-17.
Utah is looking to maintain momentum after an impressive 11-2 season last year, culminating in a Las Vegas Bowl win.
The Utes’ performance sets a strong tone for Scalley’s tenure following the departure of longtime coach Kyle Whittingham.
Driving the news: The Utes entered the game riding a six-game winning streak dating back to the previous season, eager to showcase their talent against an FCS opponent.
Idaho, led by second-year coach Thomas Ford Jr., was coming off a tough 38-34 loss to Cal Poly in their season opener.
Utah’s Devon Dampier, who had over 3,300 total yards last season, was expected to play a key role in the Utes' offensive strategy.
Utah was heavily favored, entering the game as a 35.5-point favorite against Idaho.
State of play: Utah's offense dominated throughout the game, amassing 633 total yards, including an impressive 364 rushing yards.
Utah scored 17 points in the first quarter, followed by 14 in the second, 14 in the third, and 21 in the fourth.
Idaho struggled offensively, managing only 14 points, with scores coming in the second and third quarters.
Wayshawn Parker was a standout performer, scoring three touchdowns and averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
The big picture: This game highlights Utah's strength and raises questions about Idaho's ability to compete at this level.
Utah's defense, which ranked highly in several metrics last season, stifled Idaho's offensive efforts.
Idaho's quarterback Joshua Wood had a strong showing against Cal Poly but faltered against Utah's aggressive defense.
The Utes' success in this game could bolster their confidence as they aim for a successful season under new leadership.
What they're saying: Players and coaches expressed excitement about the team's performance and the start of a new era.
"It feels great to start the season with such a strong win," said Dampier. "We knew we had to come out strong and set the tone for the year."
Scalley emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and building on this momentum moving forward.
Ford acknowledged the challenge his team faced, stating, "We have a lot to improve on, but we’ll learn from this and come back stronger."
By the numbers: The statistics from the game reveal the extent of Utah's dominance.
Utah averaged 7.4 yards per carry, illustrating their powerful ground game.
Idaho's offense managed only 14 points compared to Utah's 66, highlighting the disparity in performance.
The Utes’ total yardage of 633 dwarfed Idaho's offensive output, demonstrating the effectiveness of Utah's game plan.
What's next: Looking ahead, Utah aims to build on this victory as they prepare for their next matchup.
Utah will continue its three-game home stretch, looking to maintain momentum against upcoming opponents.
Idaho will need to regroup quickly as they face another challenging opponent in their next outing.
Both teams will analyze this game to identify areas for improvement and capitalize on their strengths moving forward.