Utah unveils uniform for season opener against Idaho
Sep 2, 2026, 12:58 PM
Sep 7, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (13) runs out on the field before the game against the Baylor Bears at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah football begins the Morgan Scalley era, the team will wear one of the program’s most recognizable looks.
The No. 21 Utes announced they will wear an all-red uniform combination for Thursday night’s season opener against Idaho at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
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The look features red helmets, jerseys and pants, with Utah’s traditional drum and feather logo returning to the helmet.
RELATED: Devon Dampier’s progression reveals what could come next for Utah in 2026
The uniform choice pairs Utah’s signature home color with a logo that remains a favorite among the fan base. Although the interlocking U has become more prominent across the athletic department, the drum and feather continues to make select appearances on Utah’s football helmets.
It is an appropriately traditional look for a night that will introduce a new chapter of Utah football.
How to watch Utah vs. Idaho
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 3
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. MDT
- Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN app with a participating television provider
- Play-by-play: Pete Sousa
- Analyst: Leger Douzable
RELATED: Utah names six captains, 15-player leadership council for 2026 season
Morgan Scalley refuses to make the opener about himself
“I don’t plan on it being too much different,” Scalley said when asked whether walking onto the field as head coach would feel different.
“This is not a Morgan Scalley deal,” he said later on. “This is a University of Utah deal.”
Scalley credited all those around him for contributing to the program and did not entertain questions about his legacy.
That sort of mentality seems to be an early hallmark of Scalley’s approach. He’s been very mindful to credit those around him, and keeping the main thing, the main thing.
He understands the significance of following Kyle Whittingham, but is not concerned about any sort of ‘personal coronation,’ instead his emphasis remains on the players the programs’ behaviors and culture, and the village around him.
What to know about Utah
Utah enters Scalley’s first full season ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 and carrying heightened expectations after finishing 10-2 during the 2025 regular season.
Quarterback Devon Dampier returns after passing for 2,490 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 835 yards and 10 scores, accounting for 34 total touchdowns during his first season with the Utes.
Running back Wayshawn Parker also returns after rushing for 981 yards and six touchdowns on 149 carries. Parker and Dampier give Utah an established foundation in the backfield as the Utes transition to Kevin McGiven as offensive coordinator.
Defensively, linebacker Johnathan Hall returns after leading Utah with 67 tackles and six tackles for loss in 2025. Safety Jackson Bennee, who finished second on the team with 64 tackles, is also back.
RELATED: Trey Reynolds leads Utah quietly—and nobody outworks him
Scalley will make his regular-season debut as Utah’s head coach after leading the Utes to a 44-22 victory over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl. A Utah graduate and longtime assistant within the program, Scalley now officially begins his first full season in charge.
No. 21 Utah enters the opener having won 10 of its last 11 season-opening games and 17 consecutive home openers. The Utes have also sold out 95 straight games at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Thursday will mark the first meeting between Utah and Idaho since 1993. The Vandals won that matchup 28-17 in Salt Lake City.
The Utes and Vandals will kick off Thursday at 7 p.m. MT. The game will be televised on ESPNU and carried locally on ESPN 700 and 92.1 FM.
