Utah Utes

On November 7, 2026, the atmosphere at Rice-Eccles Stadium shifted from anticipation to celebration as Devon Dampier threw for four touchdowns. His performance led the Utah Utes to a 28-20 victory over rival BYU, snapping a three-game losing streak and propelling the team to No. 3 in the national rankings. This win marked a pivotal moment under head coach Morgan Scalley, who had taken over following the departure of Kyle Whittingham.

The university fields 19 varsity sports across NCAA Division I, competing primarily in the Big 12 Conference since August 2024. Before that move, the program spent over a decade in the Pac-12 after leaving the Mountain West Conference in 2011. The athletic identity splits into distinct personalities depending on the sport: men's basketball is known as the Runnin' Utes, while women's gymnastics carries the moniker Red Rocks.

Facilities like Smith's Ballpark for baseball and the Jon M. Huntsman Center for basketball support these diverse programs. Skiing remains a unique coeducational sport where the NCAA awards a single national championship despite separate squads. The football program has secured multiple conference titles in the WAC, Mountain West, and Pac-12, with bowl victories including the 2005 Fiesta Bowl and 2012 Alamo Bowl. [edit]

The program accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference on August 4, 2023, with the transition officially taking effect on August 2, 2024. Prior to this realignment, the Utes competed in the Pac-12 starting in the 2011–2012 academic year after joining on June 17, 2010. They hold the distinction of being the first school to depart the Mountain West Conference since its formation in 1999.

Football history includes a long line of successful seasons, highlighted by a historic turnaround in 2026. Under new leadership, the team finished the regular season undefeated at 9-0. The 2026 season saw quarterback Devon Dampier named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10 list. Head coach Morgan Scalley replaced Kyle Whittingham, bringing a renewed culture focused on aggressive play-calling and player development.

Women's gymnastics stands out as one of the most decorated programs in NCAA history, winning numerous Pac-12 and Mountain West titles along with multiple national championships. The ski team also dominates NCAA competition, securing several national titles in this coeducational sport. [edit]