Utah football preserves Moment of Loudness, adds LED lights to Rice-Eccles Stadium
Aug 27, 2026, 3:43 PM | Updated: 3:45 pm
Fireworks go off during the “Moment of Loudness” between the third and fourth quarter as a way to pay respects to running back Ty Jordan and defensive back Aaron Lowe at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The Utes defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 35-7.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Moment of Loudness, a Utah tradition brought forward out of tragedy, isn’t going anywhere, the University of Utah announced Thursday, a week prior to the football program’s season-opener against Idaho.
The tradition, which takes place between the third and fourth quarters, featured a voiceover from former Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham and had video and pictures of former Utes Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe displayed, in addition to pictures of Utah fans who have passed, on the stadium’s video board.
With Whittingham’s departure to Michigan, there was questions as to whether the Moment of Loudness would continue. But Utah said the video will be “updated for the transition into the Morgan Scalley era.”
The video will be updated to “feature prominent Utah football alumni who played with Ty and Aaron emphasize the importance of family within the program.”
The update to the video is part of a larger “game experience update” from the university.
🚨 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 ⬇️
In 1️⃣ 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊, fans will experience several new elements and enhancements to the game-day experience‼️#GoUtes | #RSNB https://t.co/aONeVMbkcD pic.twitter.com/srJ1U8SwiG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 27, 2026
Rice-Eccles introduces LED lights
It’s been a long time coming, but the University of Utah installed new LED lights throughout Rice-Eccles Stadium over the offseason, and the university is ready to make its debut.
The university said the lights will be used to “enhance the fan experience” and will “highlight key moments” through the game day, including the team’s tunnel walk, pregame, touchdowns and field goals, and quarter breaks.
Though a small move, fans have been clamoring for an upgraded experience to what many already consider to be one of the best environments in the Big 12.
Utah Utes players participate in a “moment of loudness” honoring late players Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, both of whom wore No. 22, during the Las Vegas Bowl against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Cauldron lightning moves
Few football stadiums have the ability to lean into its Olympic legacy, but Rice-Eccles Stadium has been one such location. The university lit the 2002 Olympic Cauldron outside of the stadium between the first and second quarter break in previous seasons.
That lighting of the cauldron has now been moved to pregame, being lit with 42 minutes remaining until kickoff. The university said the lighting will also accompany a blast from Ute Thunder II, a cannon, to help signal to fans a near start to kickoff.
How the university feels the void between the first two quarters was not specified, but the university said it will “unveil several new surprise elements for fans to enjoy.”
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Josh Furlong is a Utah Utes insider for KSL Sports and is a Heisman Trophy and AP Top 25 voter for football. He hosts The Utah Checkdown podcast and appears on the KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on social media platforms X, BlueSky, Instagram and TikTok for the latest Utah updates and news.
