This post was updated Aug. 24 at 6:46 p.m.
UCLA football will commence its 2025 campaign against Utah at the Rose Bowl on Aug. 30. The Bruins and Utes similarly finished their 2024 seasons on disappointing notes. Both schools enter the season with new faces under center and a particularly stingy unit on the other side of the ball. Here is this week’s scouting report from Sports editor Connor Dullinger – who wishes he could watch the game from Pasadena – and Assistant Sports editor Jacob Nguyen – who yearns to go to the Rose Bowl without an hour-plus commute.
Utah’s Offense
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Run-pass percentage: 55% run, 45% pass
Strength: Pass protection
Weakness: Pass-catchers
X-factor: QB Devon Dampier
The trust between a quarterback and his coach can transcend pure geography.
And that’s exactly what happened with former New Mexico offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier, who both transitioned into Utah.
The tandem will look to revitalize a Utes offense that struggled last season under signal caller Isaac Wilson, during which the now-sophomore threw one more interception than he did touchdowns and garnered just 1,510 passing yards on a 56.4% completion clip.
As a result of subpar quarterback play, Utah finished 2024 second-to-last in the Big 12 in total yards, while also scoring the third-fewest points per game.
The exit of former offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and his pro-style offensive scheme makes way for Beck’s more favorable spread offense, better utilizing Dampier’s versatility and creativity.
Although the junior’s interceptions matched his passing touchdowns, it may have been more indicative of a lackluster receiving core. The Lobos failed to boast a single player with over 850 receiving yards or more than three touchdowns in 2024.
Regardless, New Mexico still had the country’s fourth-most yards per game, largely powered by Dampier’s legs.
The Phoenix local was good for a team high 1,166 ground yards. Additionally, his 19 rushing touchdowns were more than every other Lobo combined.
Dampier’s skills will be further maximized in an environment of quick reads, no huddles and the freedom to make his own decisions.
The First Team All-Mountain West selection will find staunch protection behind one of the nation’s strongest offensive lines, anchored by Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, both of whom are projected by Sports Illustrated to be first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pair Dampier’s legs and a pro-ready offensive line with the transfer of four-star running back Wayshawn Parker, and Utah boasts a potent ground offense that will test the nation’s best defensive lines.
While the pocket security created by the Utes’ offensive line should mean Dampier has more time to make plays with his arm, questions may remain regarding how much Beck can elevate his wideout group.
None of Utah’s top five players in receiving yards from 2024 remain with the team. And of the six incoming wide receiver transfers, only Ryan Davis had more than 500 yards last season, notching 747 under Beck at New Mexico.
Dampier could experience déjà vu against the Bruins, having to shoulder much of the offense on his own feet while his receivers leave something to be desired.
Nonetheless, a new offensive regime will carry over from New Mexico to Utah – one that brings creativity and explosion on the ground.
Utah’s Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-3 base defense, 4-2-5 nickel personnel
Strength: Air defense
Weakness: Pass rush
X-factor: LB Lander Barton
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has made a living off of Utah’s defense.
In his 10 years leading the defense – and 18 years as an assistant coach for the Utes – Scalley’s bread and butter has been staunch defensive lines that win in the trenches by forcing negative plays behind the line of scrimmage and ballhawking secondaries that haunt opposing quarterbacks.
Scalley’s defense consistently reaches the tops of leaderboards and instills fear in its opponents. The Utes have ranked first in the Pac-12 in rushing defense five times, and ranked top five in the country three times. Their total defense has ranked in the top half of their conference in eight of the past nine seasons, including second nationally in 2019.
And 2025 is no different.
Utah returns almost the entirety of its starting secondary, including cornerbacks Elijah Davis and Smith Snowden and safeties Rabbit Evans and Tao Johnson. The quartet made up five of the team’s 12 interceptions from last season and held opposing offenses to just 20.7 points per game and 200.3 passing yards per game – ranking No. 2 and No. 5 in the Big 12, respectively.
The returning secondary is joined by a formidable middle linebacker unit in linebackers Johnathan Hall and Levani Damuni. Hall – who mans the rover spot – will supplement the already stalwart secondary, which he did last year, adding one interception and 38 tackles. He will also help cement the line of scrimmage, registering nine tackles for loss and a sack in 2024.
Damuni joins Hall as the MAC linebacker, where he will be in charge of commanding the defense. Damuni missed all of last season with an injury, but led the Utes in tackles in 2023, tallying 87 tackles alongside 9.5 third-down stops.
Completing the trifecta is linebacker Lander Barton in the stud spot. Barton led the team last season with 72 tackles while also garnering two interceptions – including a pick-six – and two sacks. The trio manning the middle of the field, combined with the secondary deep and outside, should make it difficult for UCLA receivers to get open and for running backs to get upfield.
Luckily for redshirt sophomore Nico Iamaleava, though, the Utes may struggle to rush the passer. Utah ranked seventh in sacks last season in the Big 12. They also did not add any new starters up front nor on the edge, meaning existing players will have to buckle down, or reserves will have to rise to the occasion.
A staunch defense that is virtually complete on all levels – and is headed by a defensive mastermind – may make it difficult for the relatively new Bruin offense to thrive.
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