Utah Tech University Athletics

Utah Tech football kicked off its 2026 season, and the program's first season in the Big Sky Conference, on the wrong end of a 54-0 home decision to defending Division I FCS champion No. 1/1 Montana State on Saturday night at Greater Zion Stadium.

Utah Tech (0-1/0-1 Big Sky) was held to 227 yards of offense on the night, with 169 yards coming through the air. Junior quarterback Bronson Barben got the start under center and completed 9-for-21 passes for 78 yards, and led the Trailblazers wit 21 yards rushing on six carries.
 
Fellow junior signal caller CJ Tiller came on in the fourth quarter and threw for 91 yards on 10-for-12 passing. 
 
The Trailblazers wound up with 58 yards on the ground, with junior running back Ace Chatman carrying the ball 13 times for 20 yards. Senior wide receiver Mike Williams led the Blazer receiving corps with four catches for 42 yards in his Utah Tech debut. 

On defense, senior safety Quincy Lejay racked up a game-high 11 tackles (seven solo), while junior defensive lineman Brandon Jackson and senior linebacker Will Alovao each collected one sack apiece.

Montana State (1-0/1-0 Big Sky) tallied 447 yards of total offense in the victory. Bobcat quarterback Justin Lamson completed 22 his 30 pass attempts for 260 yards and two touchdowns. 
 
MSU receiver Dane Steel caught eight of those Lamson tosses for a game-high 174 yards, including a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown that opened the scoring with 5:39 remaining in the first quarter. 
 
Utah Tech opens its 2026 seven-game road slate with a quick trip north on Interstate 15 to Provo to face in-state foe and Big 12 power No. 14/15 BYU next Saturday night, Sept. 5. Kickoff inside LaVell Edwards Stadium is set for 6 p.m. (MT).