Utah didn’t exactly cruise past Colorado on Saturday, but Morgan Scalley’s group found a way to leave with a 27-24 win anyway.
It took a full team effort to finish it off, especially after Colorado’s third-quarter push turned the game into a real fight. Devon Dampier was the engine for the Utes, throwing for 278 yards and three touchdowns, while Wayshawn Parker quietly churned out 98 rushing yards without reaching the end zone. On the other side, Isaac Wilson piled up 256 passing yards, but his late interception ended up helping Utah close the door after the Utes built a 10-point cushion.
For much of the night, Utah’s offense lived in that high-wire space it has leaned on so often this season. The flair can be hard to defend, but it also comes with real danger.
That showed up first at the Colorado 3-yard line in the opening half, when a shovel pass from Dampier was tipped backward and landed in the hands of Buffaloes defensive lineman Dylan Manuel instead of producing six points. It showed up again in the fourth quarter, when Byrd Ficklin was used on a quarterback-designed run for only a couple yards, then couldn’t hang on to a pass on the next snap, ending the drive.
That’s the tradeoff for Utah right now. When the scheme hums, it can look unstoppable.
When it bogs down, the path becomes a lot more complicated. And with the schedule about to get tougher, the question is how much of that finesse Kevin McGiven can keep building around.
Still, Dampier had an answer when Utah needed one most, and Creed Whittemore was there to deliver it. After Colorado ripped off 17 unanswered points and Utah’s offense had gone cold in the third quarter, Dampier hit Whittemore for a 43-yard gain on third and 10. That play set up a touchdown and snapped the Buffaloes’ momentum.
Whittemore came through again late. With under four minutes left, Dampier found him for 25 yards on second and 19, moving Utah to the Colorado 6. The Utes scored on the next play and stretched the lead to 10.
Whittemore finished with three catches for 88 yards, and while he wasn’t always the central target, he made his touches count in a big way.
Utah’s defense did its part too, especially after halftime. Colorado got rolling in the third quarter, but the Utes steadied themselves before the period got away from them. Then, in the fourth, the defense forced two punts and James Chenault Jr. came up with an interception that was returned to just outside the red zone, setting Dampier up with only 22 yards to go.
Colorado finished with 138 rushing yards and 256 passing yards, but Utah’s defense made enough stops when the offense wasn’t smooth after the break. That was the difference at Folsom Field.
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Colorado Offense Hits Another Low As Bye Week Pressure Builds
Utah controlled the game from the start against Colorado, and by halftime the Buffaloes were scrambling just to keep the scoreboard from getting uglier. The Utes owned time of possession and first downs on the way to a 13-0 lead, while Colorados defense at least managed one bright spot with an interception to slow the bleeding.
Even so, the bigger story for Utah was how comfortably it dictated the pace, a reminder of why the Utes carry the nations longest winning streak at 11 games. Colorados offense never found much rhythm, and the gap in execution was obvious long before the break, with the Buffaloes getting more help from penalties than from their own offense at one point. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Now Faces A Surging BYU Team With Everything Raised
BYU left South Bend with a result that will ripple well beyond one Saturday night, and for Utah, it only adds more urgency to a rivalry matchup that already carried plenty of heat. The Cougars managed to beat Notre Dame despite being without running back LJ Martin, leaning on quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a defense that hung around long enough to keep the Irish under pressure all game.
The finish had the kind of late-game edge that can reshape how a team is viewed, especially when it comes against a ranked name on the road. A targeting penalty added to the drama, and BYU still found a way to close it out with one final defensive stand, the sort of response Utah will have to reckon with as the stakes keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Saban Sees One Reason Utah's Offense Is So Tough To Prepare For
Nick Saban has spent a career dissecting offenses, so when he singled out Utah on ESPNs College GameDay, it carried some weight. During his Coach Sabans Film Room segment, he pointed to the Utes habit of using multiple quarterbacks, shifting formations and unusual backfields as part of what makes them such a difficult team to get ready for.
The real headache, at least from a defensive perspective, is how much flexibility Utah has built into its personnel and play design. Saban highlighted the versatility of players like Devon Dampier, Byrd Ficklin, Wayshawn Parker and Semi Taulanga, along with a unique option concept that keeps opponents guessing about where the ball is going and who is actually handling it. [Read more 🡒]