PASADENA, CA – Utah wasted no time reminding the college football world of their identity, opening their non-conference slate with a decisive win over a familiar foe in UCLA. It was a performance that felt like a return to form; displaying balance and discipline that’s been missing the past two seasons.
Transfer quarterback Devon Dampier delivered the kind of breakout game that the Utah faithful have been waiting for, he looked calm and composed, running Jason Beck’s new offense with both precision and improvisation. Dampier tossed a touchdown early to Lander Barton and added another on the ground. Dampier consistently turned broken plays into quality gains with his legs and was exceptional on third down. The Utes look thin at receiver; the group failed to get separation on defensive backs throughout the game and both of Dampier’s touchdown passes were to his massive tight ends. In the high-octane Big 12 conference, lack of receiver output could force the offense to rely even more heavily on the run game.
The quarterback still shows a pass-first mentality but when he tucks and runs, the offense gains another dimension. More importantly, he’s protecting himself – sliding at the end of runs – a foreign concept to Utes fans during the Cam Rising era.
The Utes were ruthless early, punching in touchdowns on their first three possessions; something they didn’t accomplish once all of last season. The offense felt less predictable, with more variety than Utah has shown in years. At its core, though, it was classic Utah football: an identity grounded in the run game. The tandem of Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers combined for over 120 yards, giving the Utes a reliable one-two punch out of the backfield.
Defensively, it was everything you’d expect from a Kyle Whittingham team: physical, disciplined, and suffocating. Utah’s front seven swallowed up yards after contact, rarely letting UCLA backs or receivers slip free. Logan Fano stood out as the disruptor, constantly around the football and delivering a key third-down sack when the game was still hanging in the balance.
Even Utah’s two-minute offense showed flashes of potential. Despite a would-be lengthy catch wiped away by an out-of-bounds ruling, the Utes marched downfield to set up kicker Cole Curtis. He missed his first career PAT but shook it off by drilling a 54-yarder that left no doubt as time expired in the half. By that point, momentum was fully on the side of the Utes
Playing the second half seemed like a formality. Utah’s offense shifted into cruise control but still added three more touchdowns before the night was over while UCLA . By the final whistle, the game felt less like an early-season test and more like a statement: Utah has rediscovered its balance. .
Five Takeaways:
Dampier is a star – The New Mexico transfer looked completely in command and drew plenty of attention from national media outlets. An easy player comparison is Kyler Murray, the 2018 Heisman winner. Like Murray, Devon Dampier may be considered undersized, but he is anything but small. His sturdy frame allows him to run with power, square up with defenders, and become a legitimate weapon in short-yardage situations. Dampier went 21-of-24 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 87 yards and another score. Though he wasn’t asked to stretch the field vertically and rarely tested UCLA deep, he didn’t need to—the offense moved efficiently. The next few games will be key in his development as a passer before conference play begins.
Two-way contributors – Utah once again showcased its knack for versatile athletes, with Smith Snowden and Lander Barton making meaningful contributions on the offensive side of the ball. Barton’s size makes him a natural red-zone target, and Utah capitalized, going a perfect six-for-six inside the 20. Snowden, meanwhile, brings shiftiness and quick acceleration, excelling in short-yardage passing situations where Kyle Whittingham loves to call his number. Expect the Lehi product to see at least 10 touches a game as the season moves forward.
Logan Fano looks NFL-ready – The defensive end was a force of nature, registering four tackles, a sack and a pass defended – all in the first half. Every time UCLA attempted to bounce a run outside, Fano was there to shut it down, meeting ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. At 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds, he has the frame, speed, and instincts of a pro prospect, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him climbing draft boards this season.
Offensive line play exceptional – Led by Logan’s brother, Spencer Fano, the “Utah Moving Company” looks like the strongest unit on the roster. The group opened wide lanes for the run game and consistently gave Dampier a clean pocket to work with, allowing him to operate with comfort on intermediate throws. Their dominance up front was as decisive as anything in Utah’s win.
Third-down offense nearly perfect – The Utes went 10-for-11 on third down, keeping UCLA’s defense on the field and wearing them down early. Utah dominated possession with 37:28 of game clock, using long, sustained drives to pile up nearly 500 yards of total offense against a Big Ten opponent. By the fourth quarter, the Bruins looked out of gas, while Utah’s offense continued to roll.
Utah’s performance against UCLA offered a glimpse of a team that appears organized, balanced, and confident in its identity on both sides of the ball. The performance will surely propel them into the top-25 and into the national conversation The offensive rhythm, the variety in personnel usage, and the physical standard on defense all pointed to a program that has addressed many of last season’s inconsistencies. Attention now shifts to Cal Poly, where the Utes will open their home schedule. While the matchup may not carry the same stakes, it provides a timely opportunity to reinforce execution, evaluate depth, and prepare the roster for the demands of conference competition.
Mitchell Linsley
mitchlinsley.com 
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