What Is 1986 Utah Utes football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1986 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 6–6 record under head coach Doug Scovil, marking their first non-losing season since 1977.

Key Facts

The 1986 Utah Utes finished with a 6–6 overall record
Head coach Doug Scovil led the team in his second season
The Utes played in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
They defeated rival BYU 20–17 in a key November matchup
Quarterback Mike Wilhelm threw for 1,745 yards and 11 touchdowns

Overview

The 1986 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season, marking a turning point after years of losing records. Competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the team achieved a 6–6 overall record under head coach Doug Scovil, their first non-losing season since 1977.

Playing their home games at Robert Rice Stadium in Salt Lake City, the Utes showed significant improvement in both offense and defense compared to previous seasons. The season culminated in a dramatic rivalry win over BYU, which helped restore fan enthusiasm and set the foundation for future success.

Record: The Utes finished the 1986 season with a 6–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in WAC play, showing balanced performance across conference and non-conference games.
Head Coach: Doug Scovil served as head coach for his second season, guiding the team through a rebuilding phase with a focus on quarterback development and defensive discipline.
Stadium: All home games were played at Robert Rice Stadium, a 45,807-seat venue that hosted intense matchups, including the season-ending rivalry game against BYU.
Key Rivalry Win: Utah defeated BYU 20–17 in November 1986, a crucial victory that ended a three-game losing streak to the Cougars and energized the fanbase.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Mike Wilhelm led the offense, throwing for 1,745 yards and 11 touchdowns, making him one of the top passers in the WAC that season.

Season Performance

The 1986 campaign featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought wins, reflecting the team’s growing competitiveness in the WAC. Despite not qualifying for a bowl game, the Utes demonstrated resilience and marked progress under Scovil’s leadership.

September Start: The Utes opened the season 2–2, defeating Utah State and New Mexico but losing close games to Arizona and Air Force by a combined 10 points.
Midseason Surge: In October, Utah won three of four games, including a 31–14 victory over UTEP, showcasing improved offensive execution and turnover control.
Defensive Improvement: The defense allowed just 20.3 points per game, a notable drop from previous years, thanks to standout linebacker play and improved secondary coverage.
BYU Rivalry: The 20–17 win over BYU on November 22 was sealed by a late field goal, marking the first victory in the series since 1980 and drawing over 40,000 fans.
Bowl Eligibility: Despite finishing 6–6, the Utes did not receive a bowl invitation due to limited bowl slots and lower national rankings compared to other 6–6 teams.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1986 Utah Utes with the previous and following seasons highlights the team’s transitional nature and gradual improvement.

Season	Record	WAC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1984	5–6	4–4	Chuck Stobart	No
1985	4–7	3–5	Doug Scovil (1st year)	No
1986	6–6	4–4	Doug Scovil (2nd year)	No
1987	6–6	4–4	Doug Scovil (3rd year)	No
1988	8–4	6–2	Jim Fassel	Yes (Freedom Bowl)

This table illustrates how the 1986 season served as a bridge between losing years and future success. The back-to-back 6–6 records in 1986 and 1987 laid the groundwork for Jim Fassel’s breakout 8–4 season in 1988, which included a bowl appearance.

Why It Matters

The 1986 Utah Utes football season was a pivotal moment in the program’s history, signaling the end of a prolonged downturn and the beginning of a competitive resurgence. Though modest by national standards, the season re-energized recruiting, fan support, and institutional confidence.

Program Momentum: The 6–6 record broke a streak of losing seasons, giving the team credibility and helping attract better recruits in subsequent years.
Rivalry Impact: The win over BYU revitalized the Holy War rivalry, increasing ticket sales and media attention for future matchups.
Coaching Development: Doug Scovil’s work in 1986 laid the foundation for Jim Fassel’s later success, proving that competitive football was possible at Utah.
Statistical Progress: Quarterback Mike Wilhelm’s 1,745 passing yards were the most by a Ute since 1981, indicating offensive improvement under Scovil.
Stadium Atmosphere: Attendance increased during the season, especially for the BYU game, showing renewed fan engagement after years of apathy.
Historical Context: The 1986 season is now viewed as the start of Utah’s climb toward becoming a nationally relevant program in the 1990s and 2000s.

Ultimately, the 1986 Utah Utes did not achieve national acclaim, but their perseverance and incremental progress were essential in transforming the football program into a consistent winner in the years that followed.