BYU to Open 2026 Season Against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium
The Cougars host Utah Tech on Saturday in the season opener, with kickoff at 6 p.m. MDT and a broadcast on ESPN+. New players and a first-year defensive coordinator will be under scrutiny.
Utah Tech (0-1, 0-1 Big Sky) will travel to LaVell Edwards Stadium to face BYU (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) in the 2026 season opener on Saturday at 6 p.m. MDT. The game will be shown on ESPN+ and streamed at ESPN.com/watch, with radio coverage on KSL 1160 AM, 102.7 FM, BYU Radio and Sirius XM 143.
The Cougars enter the season with high expectations, having been mentioned as a potential Big 12 championship contender and College Football Playoff candidate after a 12-2 finish and a conference title game appearance last year. Head coach Kalani Sitake, now in his 11th year, aims to win at least ten games for three straight seasons, a feat not achieved since 2007-09. BYU remains unbeaten against FCS opponents, holding a 20-0 lifetime record.
Utah Tech, coming off a 2-10 campaign, is projected to finish at the bottom of the 13-team Big Sky Conference. The Trailblazers were shut out 54-0 by Montana State last week, managing just 227 total yards.
Several BYU newcomers, including receivers Cade Uluave, Walker Lyons, Roger Saleapaga and freshman Legend Glasker, are expected to make their debuts. Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga also takes the helm for the first time, succeeding Jay Hill. Observers will watch how his unit performs against a Utah Tech offense that was held scoreless in its most recent game.
"We’re really excited about the matchup, really excited to just get back on the field. The guys have been working really hard in the offseason and fall camp to get to this moment. We’re showing up relatively healthy, probably healthier than what we’ve been in years past ... I’m pleased with how the guys have been able to take care of their bodies and then recover. ... We always talk about how we’re given 12 opportunities that we can show ourselves and don’t want to waste any of it, and this one happens to be at home Week 1 against Utah Tech. Lance Anderson, I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a really good coach and he’s done some really good things in his career ... we plan on seeing a much-improved, motivated team coming into LaVell Edwards Stadium this Saturday." — Kalani Sitake, BYU head coach
The game precedes BYU’s first Big 12 matchup, a week later against Arizona, raising questions about how much playing time starters will receive while preserving freshness for the conference schedule.