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Jason Batacao

University of Utah sports reporter

Jason Batacao, a former Oklahoma City resident who graduated from the University of Oklahoma, covers the University of Utah for The Salt Lake Tribune. When he’s not covering the Utes, Jason enjoys watching movies, playing on his Xbox Series X and reading books.

Colorado quarterbacks Isaac Wilson, front, and Kaneal Sweetwyne warm up before an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Oct. 17 2026, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

‘Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure’: How Isaac Wilson almost spoiled Utah football’s undefeated start

By Jason Batacao | October 19, 2026, 2:55 p.m.

(George Frey | Special to The Tribune) BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) jumps over his teammate to go in for a touchdown during a game against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026.

Where did BYU and Utah land in the latest AP Top 25?

By Jason Batacao | October 18, 2026, 6:42 p.m.

(Donovan Kelly | Special to The Tribune) . Pat McAfee and Nick Saban during ESPN's "College GameDay" at BYU, Oct. 17, 2026.

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ is sticking around Utah. This time, coming to Salt Lake City.

By Jason Batacao | October 18, 2026, 8:35 p.m.

(David Zalubowski | AP Photo)Utah quarterback Devon Dampier runs past Colorado defensive end Manny Ezeogu in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 17 2026, in Boulder, Colo.

Utah football survives Hail Mary in win over Colorado: 3 takeaways from the Utes’ latest victory

By Jason Batacao | October 18, 2026, 8:19 a.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A Utah Utes player warms up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.

Here’s the latest on Utah football’s starting offensive tackle’s injury

By Jason Batacao | October 18, 2026, 4:15 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) and quarterbacks coach Ryan Gunderson as Utah hosts Utah State, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

How Utah football makes its two-quarterback system work

By Jason Batacao | October 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Joel Rayburn Jr. | Special to The Salt Lake Tribune) Byrd Ficklin's mother, Brandy Ridley, looks on at her feeding cows at her ranch in Oktaha, Oklahoma.

Waiting in the wings: The Oklahoma ranch that helped shape Utah QB Byrd Ficklin

By Jason Batacao | October 16, 2026, 3:54 p.m.

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, the trophy is displayed before a news conference for the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, in New Orleans. The more people who get angry with the College Football Playoff, the more likely it is to change. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Why a 24-team College Football Playoff should help BYU and Utah football

By Jason Batacao | Ryan Miller | October 16, 2026, 8:58 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah hosts Utah State, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

Utah approves $39.1 million Rice-Eccles Stadium renovation. Here’s how it will be funded.

By Jason Batacao | October 14, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(David Zalubowski | AP Photo) Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson looks to throw a pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Boulder, Colo.

Deion Sanders jokes about former Utah QB Isaac Wilson: ‘Make sure you throw the ball to our team’

By Jason Batacao | October 13, 2026, 7:51 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley watches during the game between the Utah Utes and the Kansas Jayhawks at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.

Morgan Scalley shares positive injury update on Utah football offensive lineman

By Jason Batacao | October 12, 2026, 8:23 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes react to a touchdown by Utah Utes tight end Noah Bennee (89) during the game between the Utah Utes and the Kansas Jayhawks at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.

3 takeaways from No. 12 Utah football’s up-and-down win over Kansas

By Jason Batacao | October 11, 2026, 7:42 a.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rece Davis and Pat McAfee during the broadcast of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ is coming to BYU for the first time since 2009

By Jason Batacao | October 10, 2026, 11:26 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley as Utah hosts Utah State, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

Why Morgan Scalley isn’t worried about Utah football’s recent 3rd-quarter struggles

By Jason Batacao | October 10, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) New lights illuminate the stadium during the second half of the game between the Utah Utes and the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.

University of Utah planning $26 million renovation of Rice-Eccles Stadium

By Jason Batacao | October 9, 2026, 2:48 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students in the MUSS cheer in the stands during the first half of the Utah football game against the Idaho Vandals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.

Utah’s MUSS is finally showing up early to football games. Here’s what changed.

By Jason Batacao | October 8, 2026, 3:39 p.m.

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Apostle Ronald A. Rasband speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Oct. 3, 2026.

What Morgan Scalley said about a Latter-day Saint apostle traveling with Utah football

By Jason Batacao | October 6, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(LM Otero | AP Photo) BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, front left, is congratulated by teammates after running for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against TCU, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

BYU and Utah both climb in latest AP Top 25

By Jason Batacao | October 4, 2026, 6:18 p.m.

(LM Otero | AP Photo) BYU running back Lj Martin, left, runs into TCU linebacker Hudson Hooper (37) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

BYU football loses 2 stars to injuries in win over TCU

By Jason Batacao | October 4, 2026, 3:16 a.m.

(Courtesy Aiden Martin) Utah Utes 3-star safety commit Aiden Martin jumps over a defender in his high school football game. Martin attends William J. Brennan High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Why a 3-star recruit from Texas chose Utah football over Houston, Baylor and other Big 12 schools

By Jason Batacao | September 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m.