SALT LAKE CITY — The storied football rivalry between the Utah Utes and Utah State Aggies, which spans 113 games, continues this season with several personal connections bringing a unique dynamic to Saturday's contest at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah's offensive coordinator, Kevin McGiven, previously served as offensive coordinator under Bronco Mendenhall at Utah State just last season. This history means McGiven now finds himself on the opposing sideline from a coach he worked closely with recently.
Beyond the coaching staff, two prominent Utah players also have direct ties to Mendenhall's past teams. Wide receiver Braden Pagen, now a key target for the Utes, was Utah State's leading receiver last season before transferring. Additionally, quarterback Devon Dampier had a breakout season two years ago while playing for New Mexico, where Mendenhall was the head coach at the time, before Dampier also transferred to Utah.
Mendenhall himself commented on these individuals, expressing high regard for them. He described McGiven, Dampier, and Pagen as "amazing people." He specifically noted McGiven as "a great person and a dear friend of mine, and a very good football coach," indicating a deep familiarity with his abilities. Of Dampier, Mendenhall said he is "a great young man" and a "talented, dynamic football player." Similar sentiments were shared for Pagen, with Mendenhall stating, "They have my respect and admiration because of the quality of players, or coach they are, and what I've seen them do, and I've seen it firsthand."
Both Dampier and Pagen, along with McGiven's strategic contributions, are currently performing well for the Utes. The University of Utah boasts the 6th-best scoring offense in the country so far this season. Pagen has quickly established himself as a favored target for Dampier, a connection that will be on display in Saturday's game.
Utah head coach Morgan Scalley also praised Pagen's impact on the team. Scalley stated that Braden Pagen "has been fantastic." He acknowledged Pagen's individual success but emphasized the team-first mentality within the Utes' program. Scalley highlighted Pagen's role as a team player, noting his inclusion on the leadership council as a testament to his character and contribution. Scalley conveyed that while Pagen's personal history with Utah State is noteworthy, the focus for the Utes remains on the collective effort: "it's not about him versus Utah State. It's about the University of Utah versus Utah State. It's all about the team, and he knows that."
