Utah Stays Undefeated With Thrilling Holy War Win Over BYU as Dampier Stars

No. 3 Utah defeated No. 9 Brigham Young University 28-20 on Saturday in a thrilling Holy War at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was outstanding in the win, firmly planting himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

The win kept Utah undefeated at 9-0. It was also the Utes' 15th straight victory, the longest active winning streak in college football, and it snapped a three-game losing streak to BYU.

Dampier was 14 of 26 for 177 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while rushing for 87 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground.

The Holy War began at 10:00 a.m. local time, and Utah was ready. Just 1 minute and 15 seconds into the first quarter, Dampier scored on a 22-yard run to put the Utes up 7-0. 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. Dampier found wide receiver Braden Pegan wide open over the middle, 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 — their first double-digit lead over BYU since 2019.

But BYU had other plans. The Cougars cut the lead to 14-6 with back-to-back field goals, and then, on the first play of the next drive, Bear Bachmeier found a streaking Legend Glasker for a 75-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-13.

Pegan then fumbled the ball away at midfield, and BYU kept the pressure on. Running back LJ Martin rushed for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Cougars up 20-14.

Late in the first half, Dampier had the ball punched out from behind by BYU defensive end Bodie Schoonover, and BYU recovered. But the Utah defense stood tall — Bachmeier overthrew his receiver, and defensive back James Chenault Jr. came up with the crucial interception.

In the second half, Utah defensive end Lance Holtzclaw dropped into coverage and picked off Bachmeier. Then, on fourth-and-1 at midfield, Utah 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.

But Utah could not score from that drive. Whittemore had the ball go through his hands in the end zone on third down, and kicker Dillon Curtis missed the 29-yard field goal attempt, as BYU held its 20-14 lead.

Late in the third quarter, Pegan caught his second touchdown of the game on a 14-yard fade, putting the Utes up 21-20. Then, on third-and-7 from the BYU 18-yard line, BYU cornerback Jayven Williams committed a pass-interference penalty to extend the drive, and Dampier ran in his second touchdown of the game on third-and-goal from the 3-yard line to make it 28-20.

BYU threatened late, but Utah's defense came up with its biggest play of the day. On third-and-goal from the Utah 2-yard line, linebacker Trey Reynolds jumped the route and intercepted Bachmeier's pass, ending the scoring threat. With under a minute left, Bachmeier 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.

With the win, Utah is in the driver's seat to make the Big 12 championship game and is all but assured to make the College Football Playoff. Utah will look to keep its undefeated season alive when it plays No. 22 Arizona next Saturday, while BYU will look to bounce back against Baylor.