Arizona hosts the No. 2 Utah Utes this Saturday at Casino Del Sol Stadium, seeking its first victory over a second-ranked opponent in nearly 19 years, Cronkite News reported.
The Wildcats enter the contest with their College Football Playoff hopes on the line, facing a Utah squad led by Heisman Trophy candidate Devon Dampier. The last time Arizona hosted a No. 2-ranked team was in 2007, when the Wildcats defeated Oregon 34-24, Cronkite News reported.
For the Wildcats, the game is a must-win effort to climb the rankings. Utah arrives in Phoenix following a 28-20 victory over rival BYU on Nov. 7, a win in which Dampier contributed two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
“Devon’s legs really were the biggest weapon in the second half,” Utah coach Morgan Scalley said at his Monday press conference. “Another great performance by him, making people pay.”
The homecoming of a dual-threat star
Dampier returns to his home state to face a defense coordinated by Danny Gonzales, the man who recruited him to New Mexico back in 2022. The connection between the quarterback and the defensive coordinator adds a layer of personal tension to the Saturday night matchup.
Despite being a three-star recruit with only six FBS offers out of high school, Dampier has transformed into one of the most dangerous players in the Big 12. His ability to impact the game both through the air and on the ground has propelled Utah to its highest ranking in the College Football Playoff era.
“He’s an elite competitor. He’s an elite leader. He’s a multiplier,” said Jason Mohns, an Arizona State tight ends coach and Dampier’s former high school coach.
“The thing with Devon is you couldn’t really measure what made him great. It wasn’t height, it wasn’t length, it wasn’t necessarily arm talent, it wasn’t speed, it wasn’t crazy combine numbers. It was the stuff that you really only see when you’re with him, when you’re coaching him, when you’re on the sideline.”
The statistical profile of Dampier’s career highlights a player who has mastered the dual-threat role:
| Category | Career/Season Milestone |
|---|---|
| Career Rushing Yards | Approaching 3,000 yards |
| Career Rushing Touchdowns | Over 40 |
| Utah Scoring Average | 37.7 points per game |
| Utah Touchdown Total | 46 touchdowns this season |
While many analysts focus on his mobility, Gonzales said that Dampier’s passing ability is often undervalued. “The thing that Devon doesn’t get credit for is that Devon is an elite thrower,” Gonzales told Cronkite News.
“People think that he can’t throw because of all the different things he does with the triple option. Devon can throw the damn football. So, we’ve got an unbelievable challenge and I’m excited.”
Pressure on the Arizona defense
Arizona currently sits at No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings with a 4-2 record in the Big 12. The Wildcats must overcome a Utah offense that has been among the fastest-starting in the country, scoring touchdowns on eight of its nine opening possessions.
The defensive unit must find a way to contain Dampier’s rushing lanes, a tactic that has worked against previous opponents. On Oct. 24, Dampier rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-13 win over No. 14 Houston, and he repeated a similar pattern in the recent victory over BYU.
The stakes extend beyond the scoreboard for the Arizona program. A win would provide the necessary momentum to climb the rankings, while a loss could effectively end their postseason aspirations. Utah aims to maintain its momentum to stay ranked first nationally.
“I love that young man like he’s one of my own,” Gonzales said. “I’m super happy for all the success he’s had and I hope he gets freaking annihilated on Saturday night and then I’ll pick him up after the game and love him and all those good things.”
Dampier, who helped lead Scottsdale Saguaro High School to a 2021 state championship, expressed his appreciation for the Arizona football community during an interview for the Fiesta Bowl’s Quarterback Conversation series.
“My time in Arizona was amazing,” Dampier said. “It’s low key a slept-on state. I try to tell them AZ’s got talent and they’re like, ‘No Texas or California.’ AZ is fun. We appreciate football. Every game for me was awesome.”
After this season, Dampier will have the option to declare for the NFL draft or return to college for another season.
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