Devon Dampier Leads No. 3 Utah Past No. 9 BYU, 28-20, to Stay 9-0

No. 3 Utah beat No. 9 BYU 28-20 on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, improving to 9-0 on the season and winning the Holy War rivalry game for the first time since 2019, according to ESPN. It was the first time the two in-state rivals met as top-10 teams, ESPN reported.

Quarterback Devon Dampier accounted for all four of Utah's touchdowns and finished the day 14-of-19 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns while adding 89 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground, per ESPN's game account. The game featured six total turnovers between the two sides, including four interceptions thrown by BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, the outlet reported, with the final pick sealing the win for Utah.

What was the final score and how did Utah win?

Utah won 28-20, with Dampier responsible for every point the Utes put on the board, according to ESPN. The quarterback's dual-threat performance — splitting his production almost evenly between passing and rushing touchdowns — kept BYU's defense off balance throughout an afternoon ESPN described as featuring "several breakneck momentum swings."

What did Devon Dampier do statistically?

Dampier completed 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns through the air, then added 89 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on the ground, ESPN reported. After the game, he addressed the magnitude of the rivalry win. "You don't get a lot of moments like that," Dampier said, according to ESPN. "The history of this game ... It's a big win."

The senior's performance drew "Heisman" chants from the Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd after he removed his helmet and climbed onto a cart on Utah's sideline following the final whistle, ESPN reported.

How many turnovers did BYU commit, and what sealed the game?

The contest produced six turnovers in total, ESPN reported, with BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier throwing four interceptions. The fourth pick, highlighted in ESPN's video recap, came as Utah's defense closed out the 28-20 win and ended BYU's push to stay unbeaten in the rivalry series.

What does this mean for Utah's record and the rivalry's history?

The win pushed Utah to 9-0 on the season, according to ESPN, and marked the Utes' first victory over BYU since 2019. ESPN's report frames the matchup as the first-ever Holy War meeting between the two programs while both were ranked in the top 10 nationally, underscoring how rare Saturday's stakes were for a rivalry that dates back decades.

Why does the quarterback matchup matter for both programs?

ESPN's comparison of Dampier to "a starting pitcher" working with every pitch available reflects how the Utah offense leaned on his dual-threat ability rather than any single weapon. With Bachmeier's four interceptions marking the difference in a game decided by turnovers, the result reinforces how much quarterback play shaped the outcome on both sidelines, per ESPN's account.

What's next for Utah and BYU?

• Utah carries a 9-0 record into the remainder of its schedule after Saturday's win, per ESPN.
• BYU will look to bounce back after the loss dropped the Cougars from the unbeaten group, according to ESPN's report.
• Both programs' rankings are expected to be revisited in the next round of national polls following a result ESPN characterized as a "blockbuster."
• Dampier's four-touchdown day adds to his season resume as chants referencing the Heisman Trophy followed Saturday's performance, ESPN noted.

ESPN's full game account, including additional player reaction, is available at espn.com.

What was the scene like at Rice-Eccles Stadium after the final whistle?

Fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium spilled onto the field at the request of the crowd moments after the final whistle, setting the stage for Dampier's celebration, according to ESPN's game account. The outlet described a "roaring sea of red fans" filling the field as the senior quarterback removed his helmet and climbed onto the cart, with the "Heisman" chants rising from the stands as he took what ESPN called his "curtain call."

ESPN's writeup framed Dampier as the player at the center of a game it labeled a "blockbuster," noting he was "propelled" to the front of the celebration after piloting the Utes to their first win over BYU since 2019. The scene capped an afternoon that ESPN said featured "several breakneck momentum swings" before Utah's defense delivered the decisive turnover to close out the 28-20 result.