Utah State Aggies head coach Bronco Mendenhall coaches during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Carson Hilton has covered high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News since 2022.
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While there’s much to say about the Utah State Aggies’ 33-0 shutout loss to the Utah Utes on Saturday, Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart was the main worry on head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s mind postgame.
Taggart went down after a collision in the second quarter, and the game was paused while the on-site ambulance came onto the field. Taggart gave a thumbs-up while being rolled on a stretcher to the ambulance.
“Harrison is the heartbeat of our program,” Mendenhall said. “There isn’t anyone that’s more vibrant and has more influence by not only how he plays, but the time he spends and how he connects with our players and (being) the emotional leader...
“I know I have to be somewhat careful in terms of what I can share medically. I think I’ll just stop with he went off on the spine board and we’re concerned.”
Mendenhall continued to speak about the difficulties of having to continue a game after seeing an athlete go down as Taggart did.
“I’m not sure I was very effective, to be honest,” Mendenhall said. “I have kids as well, so the game’s going and I’m kind of thinking about him.
“Really, really impressed with Morgan Scalley. He was out there with me. He said he went to school with Harrison’s mom. There’s a statement there about things that are bigger than the game. He doesn’t want me to share that. That’s not why (I am), but I think that needs to be acknowledged because it’s a powerful thing.”
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Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) goes out of bounds after gaining yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15), right, celebrates with Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7), left, after Ficklin scored a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes kicker Dillon Curtis (17) kicks the ball in a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) gets a turnover for the Utah Utes during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) throws the ball during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah State Aggies huddle before playing the Utah Utes in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes run on the field before a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) is tackled by Utah State Aggies safety Charger Doty (3) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) misses a catch during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah students watch a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) misses a catch during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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A Utah State Aggies fan is escorted out of the Utah Utes student section by police during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies quarterback Grady Brosterhous (9) prepares to throw the ball during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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A Utah State Aggies fan is escorted out of the Utah Utes student section by police during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Daniel Bray (5) runs to score a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans participate in a moment of loudness after the third quarter during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes punter Orion Phillips (92) falls after faking a punt during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) misses a catch during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) goes out of bounds after gaining yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) scores a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies running back Javen Jacobs (8) is tackled by Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Ethan Day (8) keeps his eyes on Utah State Aggies quarterback Grady Brosterhous (9) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (8) attempts an extra two points and fails during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies wide receiver Nikko Boncore (4) fails to catch the ball during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) gets a turnover for the Utah Utes during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies wide receiver Eli Wood (7) is tackled by Utah Utes cornerback Elijah Reed (11) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies head coach Bronco Mendenhall coaches during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) “lights the U” after the Utah Utes beat the Utah State Aggies in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley walks on the field after the Utah Utes beat the Utah State Aggies in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes celebrate after Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) gains yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs down the field during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart (0) is injured and taken out in an ambulance during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) gains yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart (0) is injured and taken out in an ambulance during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah State Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart (0) is injured during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes walk on the field to warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes warm up up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Jett Burton, 4, left, son of Brandon Burton, Wide Receivers Assistant, and Ace Bumphis, 3, right, son of Chad Bumphis, Wide Receivers coach, watch the Utah Utes warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Jett Burton, 4, left, son of Brandon Burton, Wide Receivers Assistant, and Ace Bumphis, 3, right, son of Chad Bumphis, Wide Receivers coach, watch the Utah Utes warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes walk on the field to warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley arrives to a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes arrive to a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans line up to see the Utah Utes arrive to a football game againsst the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Rice-Eccles Stadium before a football game between the Utah Utes and Utah State Aggies in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Mendenhall was also very complimentary of the Utes. Utah dominated the entire game and outgained the Aggies 480 yards to 188.
Ex-Aggie wide receiver Braden Pegan had a standout game for the Utes, as he pulled in eight receptions for 122 yards with two touchdowns.
Devon Dampier, who was previously coached by Mendenhall at New Mexico, threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday.
“(Pegan is) just a really good player,” Mendenhall said. “So skilled in terms of length and size and speed. Those matchups are pretty challenging, but with the nature of Utah’s offense, you don’t have an extra number to double... He did a really nice job; good player. He was for us also.”
Mendenhall also spoke about Dampier.
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“It’s more of the same,” Mendenhall said. “New Mexico, we were at almost 50 points a game. With his legs, with his arm, all the same tools but with more maturity and experience. I actually thought he’s very difficult to sack, so we got him a couple times.”
Finally, Mendenhall said that it was his choice to start Grady Brosterhous at quarterback over McCae Hillstead after how Brosterhous played last week against Washington.
On Saturday, Brosterhous threw for 130 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 17 yards on 17 carries.
“That was inspiring, so it’s just like, how could we not?” Mendenhall said of Brosterhous’ play against Washington. “McCae is now becoming back and available, so just stay tuned there, but I like all our quarterbacks.”
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