The Holy War may have kicked off early, but both Utah and BYU were up to the task and delivered an instant classic.
No. 3 Utah (9-0) defeated No. 9 BYU 28-20 on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in a thrilling game that had major College Football Playoff and Big 12 championship implications. Utes quarterback Devon Dampier was outstanding in the win and vaulted himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Dampier was 14 of 26 for 177 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
For Utah, the win was its 15th straight, the longest active winning streak in college football, and also snapped a three-game losing streak to BYU. The Utes remain undefeated and are in the driver’s seat to make the Big 12 championship game and are all but assured to make the College Football Playoff.
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With the loss, BYU was dealt a crushing blow that threatened its College Football Playoff and Big 12 championship game hopes.
The Holy War began at 10:00 a.m. local time, and Utah was ready.
The Utes scored the first touchdown of the game at 10:10 a.m. local time, just 1:15 into the first quarter. Quarterback Devon Dampier scored on a 22-yard run to put the Utes up 7-0 early. It was their eighth opening touchdown drive of the season.
Utah then forced a BYU three-and-out and went right back down the field immediately. Dampier found wide receiver Braden Pegan wide open over the middle of the field, and the pair connected for a 46-yard touchdown to put Utah up 14-0.
In less than five minutes, Utah was up by two scores. It was their first double-digit lead over BYU since 2019. It looked like the 104th edition of the Holy War might be a rout, but BYU had other plans, as the Cougars dominated the rest of the first half.
BYU’s comeback began with back-to-back field goals, cutting the lead to 14-6 before finally finding the end zone. On the first play of the drive, Bear Bachmeier found a streaking Legend Glasker for a 75-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-13.
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Utah’s lead would not last long, as Pegan fumbled the ball away at midfield on the ensuing possession. BYU’s offense kept the pressure on, scoring off the fumble with running back LJ Martin rushing for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Cougars up 20-14.
It looked like BYU’s momentum was going to carry all the way into halftime. Dampier tried to escape the pocket deep in his own end of the field but got the ball punched out from behind by BYU defensive end Bodie Schoonover, and BYU recovered.
However, the Utah defense finally stood tall . Bachmeier, trying to capitalize on the fumble, overthrew his receiver, and defensive back James Chenault Jr. juggled the ball and came up with the crucial interception.
While Utah wasn’t able to score after the interception, the Utes prevented BYU from extending its lead. Utah’s offense had just 32 yards and two fumbles on their final six possessions of the first half after scoring on their first two drives.
BYU got the ball first in the third quarter, but it was Utah who made the first impact play of the second half. Defensive end Lance Holtzclaw dropped into coverage and picked off Bachmeier.
However, Utah’s offensive futility continued. On fourth-and-1 at midfield, Utah’s offense dialed up a trick play as wide receiver Creed Whittemore threw deep to Dampier, and the quarterback hauled it in for a 29-yard gain.
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It looked like Utah was going to take advantage and score a touchdown after the incredible conversion, but Whittemore had the ball go through his hands in the end zone on third down. It looked like Utah was going to walk away with a field goal, but kicker Dillon Curtis missed the 29-yard attempt, as BYU held its 20-14 lead.
Utah’s defense got another stop against BYU, and the Utes’ offense finally snapped out of its funk. Pegan caught his second touchdown of the game on a 14-yard fade, as Dampier threw a great pass. The Utes took their first lead since the first quarter with the extra point, putting them up 21-20 late in the third quarter.
After the touchdown, momentum started to build for Utah . The Utes stopped BYU on the ensuing possession, and the offense once again marched down the field behind Dampier’s rushing attack .
However, on third-and-7 from the BYU 18-yard line, Utah took its first timeout of the half. While the Utes didn’t complete the pass, BYU cornerback Jayven Williams committed a pass-interference penalty to extend the drive.
Dampier once again played the hero, running in his second touchdown of the game on third-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Curtis nailed the extra point , putting Utah up 28-20.
It looked like BYU was going to score a touchdown and maybe even tie the game on the following drive, but Utah’s defense came up with its biggest play of the day. On third-and-goal from the Utah 2-yard line, Bachmeier dropped back to pass and tried to throw a slant, but linebacker Trey Reynolds jumped the route and intercepted the ball, ending the scoring threat.
BYU had to burn all of their timeouts, but they were able to get the ball back with under a minute left at the game after stopping Utah. Utah punter Orion Phillips’ punt was poor, going just 18 yards, and BYU started the drive on their own 48-yard line.
However, with Bachmeier forced to be desperate with the clock winding down, he heaved it to the end zone and was picked off for the fourth time in the game by safety Nate Ritchie to seal the Utah win.
Bachmeier threw three interceptions against Utah after throwing just four all season entering the game. He completed 21 of 35 passes for 272 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions with 59 rushing yards.
Utah will look to keep its undefeated season alive when it plays No. 22 Arizona next Saturday. BYU will look to bounce back when it plays Baylor next week.
