Five takeaways from Morgan Scalley’s Holy War week press conference
Nov 2, 2026, 1:06 PM
Morgan Scalley at his BYU week press conference. Photo by Steve Bartle KSL Sports.
SALT LAKE CITY — Morgan Scalley has plenty of reasons to appreciate the magnitude of this Holy War. Utah and BYU are both ranked in the top 10, the first College Football Playoff rankings arrive Tuesday, and the rivalry brings enough emotion before anyone starts doing postseason math.
His challenge is making sure Utah handles all of it.
“This is a big one. It’s not the big one,” Scalley said Monday.
The Utah coach opened rivalry week with updates on his roster, a strong endorsement of Devon Dampier and a request for everyone around the game to treat each other better. Here are five takeaways from his press conference.
Morgan Scalley wants a competitive, more civil rivalry
Scalley’s respect for Kalani Sitake is personal. The two have coached together, remain close and joined Bronco Mendenhall for dinner before the season.
“Kalani’s a dear friend,” Scalley said. “So I love him, and I’m grateful for what he taught me, and excited to go against him.”
That relationship helps explain his frustration with the hostility surrounding the rivalry. Scalley pointed to the schools’ proximity, their competitive history and families with connections to both programs as reasons the game matters.
The toxicity takes away from that.
“The hatred, the toxicity that is spewed from both sides,” he said, “it’s not good for the rivalry.”
Asked about the game’s religious and cultural significance, Scalley noted that both teams and fan bases include people who aren’t LDS.
“Does God care who wins this game? No. Does He care about people? Yeah,” he said. “And so I think we can be better to each other in that realm.”
There is plenty to compete over Saturday without making the person wearing the other color an enemy.
Kelvin Obot is out for the season; other updates are encouraging
Scalley announced that Kelvin Obot will miss the remainder of the season with a lower-leg injury. He declined to provide further specifics.
The other availability updates were more encouraging.
Asked about Noah Bennee, Braden Pegan, Wayshawn Parker and Ethan Day after they were limited at Cincinnati, Scalley said: “All are fine and will be playing.”
That is welcome news as Utah prepares for a BYU defense Scalley described as active, technically sound up front and solid in coverage.
The Cougars’ variety of fronts will require Utah to communicate and execute its assignments, making the availability of offensive contributors particularly valuable.
On the other side, Utah is preparing for the possibility of BYU running back LJ Martin returning, although Scalley said he did not know whether Martin would play.
Dampier has his coach’s confidence
At Big 12 Media Days, Dampier acknowledged wanting to perform better in big games. Scalley was asked Monday how he helps his quarterback, and players generally, prepare for a moment like this.
“They’re all big. They’re all big,” he said. “Don’t overdo it.”
His approach centers on familiar work: understand what winning requires, study film, sleep, hydrate and eat properly. Adding pressure to an already emotional week offers little benefit.
Scalley also defended Dampier’s performance in those situations.
“In my opinion, he’s performed well in big games,” he said.
Quarterback performance involves protection and receivers making the correct adjustments against coverage, Scalley added. Dampier’s competitive nature can make him hard on himself, but his coach praised his decision-making, toughness and locker-room leadership.
“He’s tough. He’s competitive. He’ll call his own number,” Scalley said.
Utah needs those qualities Saturday. The preparation should give Dampier confidence to use them without feeling responsible for winning every snap himself.
Bear Bachmeier changed Scalley’s evaluation
Scalley was blunt about his initial impression of BYU’s quarterback.
“He is a running back playing quarterback,” he recalled thinking. “I was wrong. Dead wrong.”
Bachmeier’s development as a passer changed that assessment. Scalley praised his efficiency, the zip on his throws, his decisions and the work ethic behind his improvement.
That creates a demanding defensive assignment. Utah has to account for a physical quarterback run game while respecting Bachmeier’s ability to deliver the ball through the air.
“When he runs, it’s like, okay, bring your lunch every time,” Scalley said. “He is thick. He’s tough to bring down. Really good balance.”
Asked what last season’s matchup taught him, Scalley offered a quick reminder.
“He can hurdle you.”
His larger takeaway was execution. With coaching staffs that know each other well, Utah has to win the critical plays that went BYU’s way last time.
“They executed in key moments when we didn’t, and that’s why they won the game,” he said.
Rankings won’t excuse mistakes
Scalley had enough concerns from Cincinnati to keep this week grounded. Second-half run fits, turnovers and special teams all needed attention.
“We can’t turn the ball over,” he said. “That stuff loses you football games.”
He was encouraged by teammates steering one another away from potential confrontations. That discipline becomes particularly valuable in a rivalry where a personal foul can turn an emotional reaction into an opponent’s scoring opportunity.
“Emotions are high, and you can’t let the emotions rule you,” Scalley said. “It’s all about execution.”
The same focus applies to Tuesday’s playoff rankings. Scalley said Utah has earned its position by concentrating on each opponent, and he trusts his leadership to maintain that approach.
“No one owes you anything. You go earn it every single day,” he said.
The attention surrounding Utah will grow this week. Scalley’s expectation is that the habits responsible for getting the Utes here grow with it.
“The only ranking that matters is at the end of the season.”
