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
Hayden is a general assignment intern who covers politics, Utah culture and other trending news.
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The Utah Utes certainly welcomed Bronco Mendenhall to his first participation in the Battle of Brothers rivalry matchup Saturday, as they beat Mendenhall’s Utah State Aggies 33-0.
Not only did the defense pitch a shutout, but it was especially dominant in the run game, holding the Aggies to just 10 rushing yards in the first half and 58 for the game.
On offense, Devon Dampier recorded 287 total yards while the Utes put up 480 yards total, highlighting their dominance compared to the 188 yards by the Aggies.
Utah State also saw multiple injuries on the defensive side of the ball including team captain Harrison Taggart who was taken off the field in an ambulance.
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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
Expect the unexpected from Utah’s offense
Are we even surprised at this point? This is a much different Utah offense than fans are accustomed to seeing, and so far this season, opponents have not been able to do anything against it.
Flea flickers, designed quarterback runs from backup Byrd Ficklin and even a direct snap to running back Wayshawn Parker were just a few of the highlights Saturday for an offense that seemed to take whatever it wanted.
Oh, and did we mention a two-point conversion attempt?
That makes two games in a row the Utes elected to go for two when absolutely nothing was on the line. It goes to show the new offense under coordinator Kevin McGiven is not out there going through the motions.
After the creativity Kevin McGiven has shown through three games, do not expect it to slow down against future opponents. But even putting aside the trickery and boldness, Utah has been executing well for the most part across the board on offense.
Devon Dampier’s arm is money
Throughout the Utes’ shellacking of their in-state rival Saturday, Devon Dampier showed off his pinpoint accuracy.
He finished just 22 of 32 passing for 253 yards, but his receivers dropped a few back shoulder catch attempts that were thrown right on the money as well as a few gimmes. In other words, as good as Dampier was Saturday, his stats very well could have been even better.
In a game wherein the run seemed somewhat limited in the first half for Utah, Dampier’s dual threat capabilities allowed the Utes to continue putting points on the board against an outmatched team from Logan.
Really the only blemish on Dampier’s day was once when the ball got jarred loose as he was being tackled and put the Aggies in scoring position.
Utah State struggled to do much against a Utah defense that has given opponents nothing but fits through its first three games.
Linebacker Trey Reynolds recorded a team-high 10 tackles on the day, leading the Utes to the shutout victory. Twice the Aggies looked poised to at least score a field goal while in the red zone, but a stingy red zone defense managed to keep Mendenhall’s squad at zero on the scoreboard with impressive plays such as safety Rabbit Evans’ one-handed end zone interception.
Or a fourth and 1 stand when the Aggies elected to go for it instead of kicking a chip field goal and securing three points, Utah swarmed Utah State behind the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs.
As usual, the Utes’ defense is one teams will have hard time scheming against.
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