Ute Insiders

October 28, 2026

Rabbit Evans’ ‘relentless effort’ that saved a touchdown

On third-and-5 during Houston’s second drive of the game, quarterback Conner Weigman hit speedy receiver Amare Thomas in the middle of the field.

Thomas, a projected NFL draft pick, quickly turned upfield, evading Jackson Bennee and Elijah Davis for a gain of 56 yards. Just as it looked like Thomas would go the distance for an early touchdown, safety Rabbit Evans came sprinting over to make a tackle that saved six points.

The Utes were able to stand strong in the red zone, stuffing Weigman on a quarterback keeper on third-and-1 and forcing a field goal.

Evans’ “relentless” effort saved four points and kept Utah’s deficit manageable.

“The effort is there. They’re relentless to the football. … There was a deep pass to No. 0 and Rabbit Evans runs it down," Utah coach Morgan Scalley said. “If Rabbit Evans doesn’t take off once he sees that, the guy scores a touchdown.”

“I mean, that’s huge. You got to go back to that. You got to promote it and your guys have to see how valuable that is, that OK, that wasn’t my mistake, that wasn’t my guy, but I’m going to take off and I’m going to go. He makes that tackle and they don’t get seven.”

Each week, Scalley highlights plays that exemplify Utah’s “relentless, smart, nasty, ballhawks” culture. Evans’ touchdown-saving tackle surely made the cut during film review this week.

“Honestly, I was just like, ‘Just go get him.’ … When I came down and I took my angle, I really wasn’t looking at the receiver. I just put my head down and just started running until I felt like I got close to get him,” Evans said.

“But that was a huge play in that game because we ultimately stopped him in the red zone. So just that relentless effort that we play with, it continues to show up and we just got to just keep playing, just keep doing that.”

In his third season at Utah after missing nearly all of last year with an injury, Evans has been one of Utah’s best — and most consistent — defensive players. He’s logged 30 tackles and a sack, recovered a fumble, intercepted two passes and broken up three passes.

The key to his play this year? Feeling able to play fast and free.

“I would say just recognizing the plays that’s coming, just being able to play fast, play free. Our coach has given us the luxury to do that. So just continuing to play fast, play confident, really,” Evans said.

As Utah enters the tough part of its schedule and plays some great offenses and quarterbacks, the Utes will need more of that “relentless” effort and high-level play from Evans.

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