Utah 28, BYU 20: No. 3 Utes Stay Unbeaten in Holy War as Devon Dampier Accounts for 4 TDs, Defense Picks Off 4 Passes

No. 3 Utah beat No. 9 BYU 28-20 at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, holding the Cougars scoreless in the second half to stay unbeaten. Quarterback Devon Dampier accounted for four touchdowns, and Utah’s defense intercepted four passes. The AP noted the win snapped Utah’s three-game losing streak in the rivalry known as the Holy War.

Utah moved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the Big 12, alone in first place in the conference, according to Utah Athletics. The Utes are one of just three unbeaten FBS teams left. BYU fell to 7-2 (4-2). The AP headline lists BYU at No. 7, while Utah’s release uses No. 9, so the rankings cited differ by poll.

How the game unfolded

Utah scored touchdowns on its first two drives. Dampier ran 22 yards through the right side for the first, then threw a 46-yard touchdown to Braden Pegan, putting the Utes up 14-3 after one quarter.

BYU answered with 17 points in the second quarter and took a 20-14 lead into halftime.

The second half went Utah’s way. James Chenault and Lance Holtzclaw intercepted passes after the break, and Dampier led a 53-yard touchdown drive to retake the lead in the third quarter. He even caught a 29-yard pass himself on a 4th-and-1. In the fourth, Utah went 68 yards for the game’s final touchdown and a 28-20 lead.

BYU threatened twice more. Trey Reynolds intercepted a pass in the red zone, and Nate Ritchie picked off a last-gasp throw into the end zone with seconds left.

By the numbers

• Devon Dampier: 177 passing yards and 2 TDs, plus 89 rushing yards and 2 TDs
• Braden Pegan: 5 catches, 86 yards, 2 TDs
• Utah defense: 4 interceptions, the most in a game since Oct. 1, 2022, against Oregon State
• Johnathan Hall: 9 tackles; Reynolds added 8
• Attendance: 52,901

Utah Athletics noted the four interceptions were the most of BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s career. BYU outgained Utah 391-330 and had more passing yards (272-206), but turnovers and 80 penalty yards (to Utah’s 19) cost the Cougars.

A historic streak

Utah has now won 15 straight games, the longest active streak in the country, according to the school. That’s the Utes’ longest run since winning 16 in a row from December 2007 to September 2009.

For BYU and coach Kalani Sitake, the loss is a blow in the Big 12 race.

What’s next

Utah plays at No. 22 Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 14. The time and TV channel haven’t been announced yet.

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