No. 3 Utah beats No. 7 BYU 28-20 to snap three-game losing streak

Devon Dampier accounted for four touchdowns on both the ground and through the air to lead No. 3 Utah to a 28-20 victory over No. 7 BYU on Saturday. The win, reported by the Associated Press, allowed the Utes to snap a three-game losing streak in the storied Holy War rivalry while maintaining their undefeated status at 9-0.

The result carries heavy implications for the College Football Playoff race. By securing the win, Utah keeps its championship aspirations alive, whereas BYU’s loss—their second in three games—places significant pressure on their own path to the postseason. For the Utes, the victory was a matter of defensive resilience and offensive explosive plays, while for the Cougars, it was a story of missed opportunities in the scoring zone.

Dampier drives Utah to an early advantage

Utah established dominance almost immediately, covering 138 yards and scoring two touchdowns within its first seven plays. Dampier was the engine of this early surge, hitting Noah Bennee for a 47-yard pass to set up a 22-yard touchdown run. He followed that sequence shortly after with a 46-yard touchdown strike to Braden Pegan.

The efficiency of the Utah offense was a stark contrast to the defensive struggles that occurred mid-game. While Utah has been historically dominant in the opening minutes—outscoring opponents 103-9 in the first quarter across nine games—they faced a significant challenge after a volatile second quarter.

BYU rallies before a second-half collapse

The momentum shifted midway through the contest. After trailing 14-0, BYU utilized two fumble recoveries and forced four punts to claw their way back into the game. The Cougars took their first lead of the afternoon, 20-14, when LJ Martin scored on a 4-yard touchdown run following his return from injury. Legend Glasker provided a highlight for the BYU offense, hauling in a 75-yard touchdown pass from Bear Bachmeier.

However, the Cougars’ offensive production stalled significantly once the halftime whistle blew. BYU managed only 111 total yards and averaged just 4.0 yards per play during the second half. The loss of rhythm was compounded by critical errors in high-leverage situations.

“That’s an incredible amount of turnovers that we had,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “If you know anything about this rivalry, that is not the way to win it.”

Turnovers decide the Holy War

The difference between the two sides was most visible in the turnover margin. Utah’s defense intercepted four passes thrown by Bachmeier, two of which occurred in the fourth quarter within the BYU end zone. These mistakes proved fatal for the Cougars’ comeback attempt.

With 4:39 remaining in the game, Trey Reynolds intercepted a Bachmeier pass that threatened to change the score. Minutes later, as BYU moved the ball to the Utah 41-yard line, Nate Ritchie recorded another interception in the end zone to effectively seal the game for the Utes.

Stat Category	Utah Utes	BYU Cougars
Final Score	28	20
Total Interceptions	4	4
Second Half Offense	N/A	111 Yards

The multifaceted impact of Devon Dampier

Beyond his rushing and passing totals, Dampier demonstrated a surprising versatility that added another layer to Utah’s offensive scheme. In the third quarter, he recorded his first career reception at Utah, catching a 29-yard pass from Creed Whittemore while falling backward to maintain possession.

Utah coach Morgan Scalley highlighted the quarterback’s mental toughness following the win.

“All I know is I love him,” Scalley said. “He’s a competitor. He’s a warrior. He wins us football games.”

Dampier, who transferred from New Mexico in December 2024, finished the day with 266 yards of total offense. His ability to balance the vertical passing game with his own legs provided the necessary spark to overcome a BYU defense that managed to sack him three times for a 12-yard loss.

HOLY WAR 🏈 BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes | Full Game Highlights | ESPN College Football

While some analysts might point to the BYU defense’s ability to pressure the quarterback as a sign of progress, the inability to protect the football remains the primary obstacle for the Cougars. Legend Glasker, who finished with 118 yards on seven catches, acknowledged the team’s psychological lapse.

“Going into the second half, we got too big-headed thinking the game was ours,” Glasker said. “We thought we had it and we thought they were just gonna bow down to us.”

Utah moves forward to face No. 24 Arizona this coming Saturday, while BYU prepares to host Baylor.