Utah Utes Football

The No. 23 Utah Utes upset the No. 3 Oregon Ducks 38-7 on Saturday for their fourth straight win. Kyle Whittingham's squad improved to 8-3 and is on pace to win the Pac-12 South. 

While Utah and Oregon are still on course to meet in the Pac-12 Championship Game, the Ducks' second loss significantly hurts their College Football Playoff chances. 

Notable Stats

Cameron Rising, QB, UTAH: 10/18, 178 YDS and 5 CAR for 8 YDS and 1 TD

Anthony Brown, QB, ORE: 17/35, 231 YDS, 1 TD and 9 CAR for 8 YDS

Tavion Thomas, RB, UTAH: 21 CAR for 94 YDS and 3 TD

Kris Hutson, WR, ORE: 4 REC for 96 YDS

Utah Dominates in Every Facet 

From defense to special teams, the Utes dominated in every facet in Sunday's win over the Ducks. Running back Tavion Thomas kicked things off with his 15th rushing touchdown of the year to tie the school record for most rushing scores in a single season.

TAVION THE TANK! @thiagoothomas9 ties the school record for single-season rushing TDs (15)! #GoUtes

Watch more here: https://t.co/bT6h6LsPe6 pic.twitter.com/NMumBnQIl9

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 21, 2021

On Oregon's second drive of the game, the Utes held the Ducks to a field goal attempt, which safety Cole Bishop blocked to force a turnover. Utah then punted on its next possession before quarterback Cameron Rising rushed in for a score to put the Utes up 14-0.

Thomas then punched in his second rushing touchdown, his 16th of the season, to take over Utah's record for most rushing scores in a single season.

TAVION FOR THE RECORD

16th rushing score of the season

Watch more here: https://t.co/bT6h6LsPe6#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/oYq06bds3O

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 21, 2021

Not too long after that, Britain Covey returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown to give the Utes a 28-0 lead before halftime.

Utah's dominance continued in the second half as Rising orchestrated two more scoring drives to put the game out of reach for Oregon.

Specific players that stood out on defense include Bishop, who finished with seven tackles and one tackle for a loss; linebacker Devin Lloyd, who finished with six tackles and one tackle for a loss; and safety Vonte Davis, who finished with seven tackles. 

Oregon QB Anthony Brown, Offense Struggle in Loss

Brown was subpar in Saturday's loss to the Utes, to say the least. The senior quarterback struggled mightily in the first half, completing just 5-of-13 passes for 74 yards as Oregon was held scoreless. 

Brown also rushed for 14 yards on five carries through the first two quarters. While he was better in the second half, his struggles continued as he completed just 12-of-22 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown.

Oregon's slow start on offense made it extremely difficult for the team to attempt a comeback down 28-0, especially with the Utah defense playing well. 

Brown entered Saturday's game ranked fourth in Pac-12 with 2,030 passing yards. He also had 12 passing touchdowns, in addition to 551 rushing yards and eight rushing scores on the season entering Saturday's game. 

Oregon's rushing attack was also pitiful as Travis Dye, Byron Cardwell and Brown combined for 72 yards on 22 carries. It was an uncharacteristic performance from the Ducks on the ground as they entered the game averaging 227.4 rushing yards per contest, which ranked second in Pac-12. 

Oregon's offensive performance against Utah had people questioning whether or not the Ducks are a true playoff contender. Some also mentioned that the Ducks' passing attack needs to get better to be able to contend with other teams. 

If there's one thing we learned on Saturday night, it's that Oregon would probably struggle mightily against teams like Georgia and Alabama. 

What's Next?

The Utes are set to host unranked Colorado on Friday, while the Ducks will host unranked Oregon State next Saturday. 

Utah football announced the program will retire No. 22 in honor of Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe during Saturday's game against UCLA:

This Saturday, between the first and second quarter, we will retire #22. We ask that all in attendance remain in their seats during this break.

We love you, Ty & Aaron. #22forever ♥️

Read: https://t.co/hOGnY6Cw4g pic.twitter.com/zIdHmwcL6Q

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2021

The two former Utes players, high school teammates and friends from Mesquite, Texas were both killed in the past year.

Johnson was killed in an accidental shooting in December 2020 while Lowe was fatally shot last month.

Utah announced it will be the first retired number in program history, and both Johns and Lowe have had memorial scholarships created in their names.

Jordan had burst onto the scene during his freshman season as one of the top young running backs in the country, totaling 597 rushing yards and six touchdowns in five games on the way to the 2020 Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year award.

After his death, Lowe switched his number from No. 2 to No. 22 to honor his friend. He was also the inaugural recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship at fall camp.

The cornerback appeared in each of the team's first four games this season until his death, which occurred at a house party in Salt Lake City.

"Aaron was a terrific young man, a leader on our football team, and a rock of resiliency and courage," Utah athletic director Mark Harland said in a statement at the time. 

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the death of Utah football player Aaron Lowe.

Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Salt Lake City police announced Buk M. Buk has been charged with aggravated murder, attempted murder and felony discharge of a firearm. 

Lowe was shot and killed at a house party Sept. 26.

Rittenberg noted that a second person, a 20-year-old woman, was also shot and is still listed in critical condition "after undergoing extensive surgery."

Per Jeff Tavss of Fox 13 in Salt Lake City, the police department announced earlier this week that detectives have been "exhaustively on this case from the very start, and they are committed to solving this homicide."

Utah announced Aug. 31 that Lowe had been named the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship. Jordan, the 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, died from an accidental shooting in December.

After wearing jersey No. 2 the previous two years, Lowe switched to No. 22 to honor Jordan.

Lowe appeared in the Utes' first four games this season. The sophomore primarily played on special teams but was also used as a cornerback. He played in 16 games in 2019 and 2020 combined.   

University of Utah football player Aaron Lowe was killed in a shooting Sunday in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake police say the shooting happened at a house party around midnight Sunday. No further details have been made available at this time.

Lowe was in his third season with the Utes. He spent most of his career playing on special teams, appearing in 20 games overall. Through the first five games of the 2021 season, Lowe had recorded three tackles as a special teamer. 

Lowe was the recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, which was created to honor the former Utah player who died in an accidental shooting last December. Jordan and Lowe were good friends, with Lowe saying "[Jordan] was always pushing me to be my best."

Salt Lake City Police are currently investigating the case but have offered no information on potential leads or the circumstances surrounding the shooting. 

Utah running back Ty Jordan died Saturday.

Rest In Peace, #22. Forever in our hearts.

We love you, Ty. pic.twitter.com/ZaXjWKg4Nc

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 26, 2020

Police in Denton, Texas, announced early Saturday morning they had responded to reports of gunshots and that "it is believed the gun was accidentally discharged by the victim" upon conducting a preliminary investigation.

Jake Edmunds of KUTV reported Jordan was the victim in question:

A source close to Ty Jordan tells me the star freshman running back was shot and killed by an accidental gun discharge. #Utes

— Jake Edmonds (@JakeKUTV) December 26, 2020

Deleted the tweet. The individual I spoke to said the police department doesn’t ID anybody but acknowledged after I said the name that “the individual in question” accidentally shot himself. Apologies. https://t.co/yGdPj09XVW

— Jake Edmonds (@JakeKUTV) December 26, 2020

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham issued a statement on Jordan's death:

"Words cannot express the devastation and heartache that our team is feeling right now upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan. Ty's personality and smile were infectious and he made a huge impact on our program in the short time he was with us. He leaves an indelible mark on each of us and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. From the bottom of our hearts, all of us in the Utah Football Family want to say we love you Ty and may you rest in peace."

Athletic director Mark Harlan offered a comment as well:

"We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Ty Jordan's passing early this morning and our thoughts and prayers are with those who loved him dearly, including the young men in our football program. Our priority is on supporting his family and the student-athletes, coaches and staff in our football program who are so deeply hurting right now. Coach Whittingham and I are working closely to provide support and resources for our Utah Football family in this extremely difficult time."

Many inside and outside of the football program reacted to the news:

Wow! This one hurts💔 R.I.P lil bro #LLTJ 🕊 https://t.co/oyNPh6FTxr

— Devin Brumfield🦏 (@brumfield_devin) December 26, 2020

Rest In Peace Ty. Can’t believe your gone. Grateful our lives crossed paths. You will forever be missed 🙏🏻 https://t.co/VUWdpFSdLJ

— Jake Bentley (@Jake_Bentley_) December 26, 2020

Man this is so wild!!! I didn’t know him but I did know He had an amazing season as a freshman!! And was going to be an amazing talent Rest In Peace Ty Jordan man! This is crazy!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/t5T9wopaOb

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 26, 2020

Bra just wanted to go home for Christmas. I’m Sick I don’t know this Kid but I’m crying. God please give Strengh to his family and Utah Football. I’m hurting it’s sucks man. I come from a place where this happens way to much Just stop please, being Hood is not Koo.. RIP Ty Jordan

— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) December 26, 2020

Prayers to the family and friends of Ty Jordan and the @Utah_Football program🙏🏼 https://t.co/WA5wBQhYTX

— Matt Wells (@_CoachMattWells) December 26, 2020

Jordan, a native of Mesquite, Texas, was the No. 8 all-purpose back in the 2020 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

The 5'7", 200-pound runner made an immediate impact, leading the Utes with 597 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. His best performance came in the regular-season finale against Washington State. He went for 154 yards and three scores on 22 carries in a 45-28 victory.

The Pac-12 honored Jordan by naming him the conference's Freshman Offensive Player of the Year for 2020. He was also one of two running backs on the All-Offense second team.

For the second time in two days, the Pac-12 has canceled a football game because of a positive COVID-19 case involving one team.

Per the Pac-12's official statement, Saturday's game between Arizona and Utah was canceled because the Utes don't have the minimum number of scholarship players available:

Statement regarding Saturday's Arizona at Utah #Pac12FB game: pic.twitter.com/W9fLZia1H1

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) November 6, 2020

On Thursday, the Pac-12 announced this week's game between Washington and California has been canceled because of a positive COVID-19 test from a Cal player.

Both games have been declared no contests.

Per ESPN's Kyle Bonagura, Utah did not release information about the total number of players who either tested positive for COVID-19 or were undergoing contact tracing.

"The health and safety of our student-athletes and all associated with our program is our highest priority, and we will continue to follow all applicable Pac-12 and local health policies and guidelines," Utah said in a statement.

Pac-12 rules for the 2020 season require that teams have a minimum of 53 scholarship players available to play. From that group, a minimum of seven offensive linemen, four defensive linemen and one quarterback must be available.

Saturday marks the first day of the seven-week Pac-12 regular season. Teams are playing a conference-only schedule, culminating in the Pac-12 Championship Game to be played on either Dec. 18 or 19.

The University of Utah announced that it has signed head football coach Kyle Whittingham to a four-year contract extension through December 2027.

Financial terms were not disclosed. He had previously inked a five-year extension worth at least $22 million in 2019, per Josh Furlong of KSL.com. That contract took him through the 2023 campaign.

Whittingham, 60, has coached the Utes since taking over for Urban Meyer, who left for Florida prior to the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

Whittingham led the Utes to a win and has coached Utah ever since, going 131-64 during his career. His best season occurred in 2008, when Utah went 13-0 and finished No. 2 in the Associated Press poll following an upset win over Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.

The Utes moved from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12 in 2011. Despite the tougher competition, the Utes have still finished Top 25 in the AP poll four times in the past nine years. Utah has won the South Division three times and made the Pac-12 Championship Game each of the last two seasons.

Utah's 2020 season will begin Saturday at home against Arizona at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The University of Utah will furlough its entire athletic department because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to athletic director Mark Harlan, who discussed the situation with ESPN 700 radio's Bill Riley on Friday.

Both football coach Kyle Whittingham and men's basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak will be subject to the furloughs, per Harlan (h/t ESPN's Kyle Bonagura): 

"Anyone who works in the department is going to be furloughed for some period of time, and that's hard. But we thought collectively as a group that if we all do this together, it would minimize. We've had to lay off some folks in terms of job eliminations and that's been really hard. It's not about the people's performance; it's just the time and the struggle that we're in. We've eliminated bonuses. We've done the things that make sense to what people would expect us to do."

Harlan will also be furloughed, though the AD didn't specify when the temporary absences would happen or for how long. 

Harlan previously predicted the department would experience a budget shortfall between $50 million and $60 million in the wake of the pandemic. The Pac-12's decision to postpone all college athletics until at least January 2021 has also created a tougher financial outlook. 

Conference commissioner Larry Scott was optimistic during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday.

"I've got a high degree of confidence that we'll be playing [football] in January," Scott said. "It's possible we could play sooner."

That seems more likely after the Pac-12 announced a deal with the Quidel Corporation to provide rapid daily testing, with machines set to be delivered by the end of September, but nothing is certain. 

Harlan, too, is optimistic following the Quidel agreement. That won't stop Utah from requiring drastic steps within its athletic department beforehand. 

"We've had to make some tough decisions," Harlan said, "because you can't wait for what might not happen." 

 

Utah athletic director Mark Harlan and head football coach Kyle Whittingham announced Wednesday defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will remain on the Utes staff after an investigation into his use of a racial slur in a 2013 text message to a prospective recruit. 

Bryan Fischer of College Football Talk provided the full statement, which noted Scalley will be required to complete diversity and inclusion education, had his pay cut and had his head-coach-in-waiting title removed:

After an investigation, Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will remain on staff: pic.twitter.com/yBkSF0FeH0

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) July 1, 2020

Scalley admitted to using the slur in a statement after being suspended indefinitely in early June, calling it a "terrible mistake."

"I am also heartbroken over the potential breach of trust with my fellow coaches, and with the young men in our program, both past and present," he said. "I am truly sorry, and I own up to the hurtful effects of my choice. Through my actions and words going forward, I will demonstrate that my use of that slur in 2013 does not reflect or define who I am or what I stand for. My action is indefensible and I will use my voice and position to bring about meaningful and much-needed change."

Former Utah cornerback Ryan Lacy also alleged Scalley had called him the N-word, but others, like former Utes safety Julian Blackmon, came to the coach's defense.

Scalley is entering his 13th season on the school's coaching staff. He became defensive coordinator in 2016.

Utah is scheduled to open the 2020 campaign Sept. 3 against BYU.

Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has been suspended with pay by the university following the emergence of a 2013 text message in which Scalley used racist language. 

In a statement released by Utah athletic director Mark Harlan, the program's top administrator denounced the use of any such language and announced an outside firm will be hired to further review the incident. 

Utah DC Morgan Scalley suspended indefinitely after a 2013 text message Scalley sent included a racial slur. pic.twitter.com/21MYiFdcGT

— Chris Kamrani (@chriskamrani) June 5, 2020

“In 2013 I made a terrible mistake,” Scalley said in his own statement released by the school. “I used a racial slur in a text message. This language is offensive and hurtful to not only the African-American community, but to all. Immediately after sending it, I apologized to the recipient and his family.”

Former Utah cornerback Ryan Lacy later tweeted allegations that Scalley previously directed a racial slur toward him: 

Former Utah CB Ryan Lacy claims he too was called the n word by now DC Morgan Scalley. pic.twitter.com/kDRkbdrD5C

— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) June 6, 2020

Scalley was set to enter his 13th year as an assistant coach with the Utes and his fifth as defensive coordinator.

A former Utah player, Scalley was a captain on the 2004 team that went 12-0 with a Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh with Urban Meyer as head coach. Scalley returned to the team as a coach in 2006, serving under Kyle Whittingham, who was the team's defensive coordinator on Meyer's staff. 

Scalley has served as defensive coordinator and safeties coach since 2016. 

In 2013, at the time Scalley sent the text message, he also served as the team's recruiting coordinator. 

“I was disappointed and shocked to learn this week of a text message sent by Morgan Scalley in 2013 that contained a racial slur," Whittingham said in a statement on Friday. "I take very seriously the hurt, pain and anger felt by African-Americans, and the power of words to inflict or deepen that pain. Although this incident is inconsistent with the character and conduct of the person I have known and worked closely with for more than two decades, Morgan’s use of racist language is a very serious matter and I am supportive of the suspension while a more thorough outside review is conducted.”

Utah finished the 2019 season ranked No. 16 in the country with an 11-3 record, going 8-1 in the Pac-12 before falling to Texas 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl. 

There is currently no timeline for the investigation in Scalley's actions or an end date to his suspension. Scalley will not return to the team until the investigation has concluded, pending further punishment.