Utah State linebacker Harrison Taggart was taken to University of Utah Hospital by ambulance after suffering what looked to be a serious injury in the second quarter of the Aggies’ 33-0 loss to Utah on Saturday.
Taggart suffered the injury with 8:33 remaining in the second quarter when his head made contact with Daniel Bray‘s knee while Taggart was tackling the Utah running back.
In a scary scene, Taggart laid motionless on the Rice-Eccles Stadium turf for a number of minutes as Utah State coach Bronco Mendenhall and Utah coach Morgan Scalley both immediately ran out to check on him alongside the Utah State athletic trainers.
Medical staff brought out a spine board to transport Taggart into the ambulance as both teams came out onto the field and took a knee. As Taggart was loaded into the ambulance, the entire Utah State team gathered around him to wish him well.
Taggart was able to point to the sky as he was loaded into the ambulance.
Postgame, Utah quarterback Devon Dampier said a message was relayed that Taggart was “doing better than where he was at.”
“Man, I don’t wish that on anybody,” Dampier said. “We’ve all worked so hard to get to where we are today. There’s so much behind the scenes work that you guys don’t get to see, but just for that to happen to somebody, that does hit the heart pretty well.
“I think everyone kind of felt that, and just happy he’s doing well. We got a little bit of feedback that he’s doing better than where he was at. God bless him.”
Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) goes out of bounds after gaining yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15), right, celebrates with Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7), left, after Ficklin scored a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes kicker Dillon Curtis (17) kicks the ball in a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) gets a turnover for the Utah Utes during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) throws the ball during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah State Aggies huddle before playing the Utah Utes in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes run on the field before a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) is tackled by Utah State Aggies safety Charger Doty (3) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) misses a catch during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah students watch a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Ricky Johnson (11) misses a catch during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
A Utah State Aggies fan is escorted out of the Utah Utes student section by police during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies quarterback Grady Brosterhous (9) prepares to throw the ball during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
A Utah State Aggies fan is escorted out of the Utah Utes student section by police during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes running back Daniel Bray (5) runs to score a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes fans participate in a moment of loudness after the third quarter during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes punter Orion Phillips (92) falls after faking a punt during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) misses a catch during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) goes out of bounds after gaining yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) scores a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies running back Javen Jacobs (8) is tackled by Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes defensive end Ethan Day (8) keeps his eyes on Utah State Aggies quarterback Grady Brosterhous (9) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (8) attempts an extra two points and fails during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies wide receiver Nikko Boncore (4) fails to catch the ball during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) gets a turnover for the Utah Utes during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies wide receiver Eli Wood (7) is tackled by Utah Utes cornerback Elijah Reed (11) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies head coach Bronco Mendenhall coaches during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes safety Rabbit Evans (1) “lights the U” after the Utah Utes beat the Utah State Aggies in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley walks on the field after the Utah Utes beat the Utah State Aggies in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes celebrate after winning against the Utah State Aggies during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes celebrate after Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) gains yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs down the field during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart (0) is injured and taken out in an ambulance during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) gains yards during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart (0) is injured and taken out in an ambulance during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah State Aggies linebacker Harrison Taggart (0) is injured during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes walk on the field to warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes warm up up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Jett Burton, 4, left, son of Brandon Burton, Wide Receivers Assistant, and Ace Bumphis, 3, right, son of Chad Bumphis, Wide Receivers coach, watch the Utah Utes warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Jett Burton, 4, left, son of Brandon Burton, Wide Receivers Assistant, and Ace Bumphis, 3, right, son of Chad Bumphis, Wide Receivers coach, watch the Utah Utes warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes walk on the field to warm up for a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley arrives to a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Utah Utes arrive to a football game against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Utah Utes fans line up to see the Utah Utes arrive to a football game againsst the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Rice-Eccles Stadium before a football game between the Utah Utes and Utah State Aggies in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Scalley opened his postgame press conference by sending prayers to Taggart.
“First and foremost, really, prayers go out to Harrison Taggart. In talking to Coach Mendenhall and getting some updates, it sounds like he’s got feeling back in legs, but I don’t have official word on that,” Scalley said.
Scalley recruited Taggart out of Utah’s Corner Canyon High, but the star linebacker chose to go to Oregon instead. After a year in Eugene, Taggart transferred to BYU, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Cal for a year and then to Utah State.
He registered five tackles in Saturday’s game against Utah before the injury.
“Harrison’s a kid that we recruited at Utah,” Scalley said. “I know his mom and I went to school together, so really praying for him. That’s not something that you want to see ever, and that’s the unfortunate thing about this game, so prayers go out to Harrison.”
Both teams were understandably emotional during the scene, but after Taggart was taken to the hospital, play resumed.
After seeing such a scary moment, it was tough to go out and resume play with the injury in the back of players’ minds.
“When you see someone that plays your game and you see that type of thing happen to them, that can go through your mind. ‘Well, when’s my time?’ So the coaches did a really good job of keeping the guys focused, talking about football,” Scalley said.
“Obviously we paid much respect to the young man and to Utah State. That’s just one of the challenges of the game, and it’s really on us coaches and it’s part of our culture, right? It starts with me. You got to be a self-starter, got to get yourself back in.”
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