No. 6 Utah spent Halloween night in Cincinnati looking every bit like a team that knew exactly what it wanted to do and how to do it. By halftime, the Utes had already turned Nippert Stadium into a half-empty building, racing to a 42-6 cushion and cruising from there to a 49-25 win over the Bearcats.
The Utes did damage in every direction. They scored touchdowns on all four first-half possessions, forced turnovers that turned into points, and kept Cincinnati from finding any real rhythm before the break. Utah’s latest road win also kept its unusual defensive streak alive: Elijah “Scooby” Davis’ interception return for a touchdown extended the program’s run to 23 straight seasons with a pick six, the longest active streak in FBS.
Davis’ score came after Rabbit Evans had already delivered another defensive punch. Evans scooped up a forced fumble by Ethan Day and sprinted 51 yards for a touchdown, giving Utah a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter. That was the kind of stretch that flattened the game fast.
“When you take the ball away, it's such a huge, huge momentum shifter, changer," Scalley said. "It takes the crowd out of the game.
The ability to capitalize on that, which is what the offense did, scoring twice on our own on the defensive side of the ball, that's why the emphasis is there. Ballhawks is part of our culture.”
Utah’s offense was just as sharp as its defense in the opening half. Wayshawn Parker ran for 82 first-half yards, including a 64-yard burst, while Hunter Andrews and Braden Pegan combined for 95 receiving yards.
Devon Dampier was nearly flawless before halftime, going 15-of-16 for 135 yards and two touchdowns while adding 48 rushing yards. That effort also made him the all-time leading rusher at Utah at the quarterback position.
Dampier kept rolling after the break and finished 22-of-29 for 260 yards, three touchdowns and an interception before giving way to backup Byrd Ficklin in the fourth quarter. Andrews was his favorite target all afternoon, finishing with five catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Cincinnati, now 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12, had a few flashes. The Bearcats hit some deep throws to get into Utah territory and managed three field goal attempts in the first half, making two of them. But Utah’s defense kept the pressure on, and the Utes remained the only team in the country not to allow a first-quarter touchdown this season.
The Bearcats finally found the end zone in the third quarter with a pair of big plays. Jacob Finley picked off a Dampier bubble screen and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown, then Cole Tabb broke free for a 48-yard rushing score after Cincinnati stayed alive on a defensive pass interference call on fourth down.
Utah answered immediately. Dampier hit Andrews on a 59-yard touchdown strike, Andrews’ second score of the game, and the Utes kept control the rest of the way. Utah finished with 534 total yards, while Cincinnati totaled 456.
“Their guys did not quit or give up, and we sure did our part in helping make it somewhat of a game in the second half," Scalley said. "We need to finish better, but I'm so proud of our guys.”
French finished 16-of-30 for 263 yards and an interception, while Tabb ran for 131 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
In Other News...
Utah Just Sent A Clear Message Before The BYU Showdown
Utah went on the road and made a statement in a 49-25 win over Cincinnati, looking every bit like a team eager to carry momentum into the BYU showdown. The Utes piled up four offensive touchdowns and got a major lift from Devon Dampier, Daniel Bray, Wayshawn Parker and Hunter Andrews, while the defense set the tone by keeping Cincinnati out of the end zone in the first half.
The most telling part was how complete it all looked before the break, with Utah turning defense into points and never letting the Bearcats settle in. The Utes also continued a remarkable run of takeaways that has become part of the program's identity, and the timing could not be better with the rivalry game looming next. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Looks More Dangerous Than Ever With BYU Up Next
Utah kept rolling on the road Saturday, knocking off Cincinnati 49-25 to move to 8-0 and further strengthen the case that this team is built for more than just a strong start. Devon Dampier kept the offense humming with 260 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Hunter Andrews turned in another big day at tight end with five catches for 112 yards and two scores. It was the kind of balanced, high-end performance that has made the Utes look increasingly difficult to handle on either side of the ball.
The defense added to the statement win by scoring twice, including another pick-six to keep Utahs unusual run of defensive touchdowns going. Elijah Davis was the one who brought one back, and the Utes also got a return score on a Cincinnati turnover as the game tilted hard in their favor early. With BYU next, Utah is carrying both momentum and a growing sense that this team has more ways to beat you than most opponents can account for. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs Unbeaten Run Just Got Even More Encouraging
Utahs unbeaten start kept rolling Saturday in a way that should leave the rest of the Big 12 paying attention. The Utes handled Cincinnati 49-25 to move to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play, and they did it with a performance that looked complete from the opening series. Devon Dampier helped set the tone, Wayshawn Parker added to the push, and Utah piled up 534 total yards while never letting the Bearcats settle in.
What stood out most was how quickly the game got away from Cincinnati, with Utah scoring early and often before the defense joined the party. Daniel Bray and Hunter Andrews were part of an offense that kept finding answers, and the Utes had built a commanding halftime cushion long before the final whistle. For a team still unbeaten deep into the season, this was the kind of win that suggests Utah is not just surviving the Big 12 race, but controlling it. [Read more 🡒]