Utah Football Prevails Over Kansas State In Down To The Wire Win
Nov 22, 2025, 6:15 PM | Updated: Nov 24, 2025, 10:05 am
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 22: Byrd Ficklin #15 of the Utah Utes celebrates with teammate Michael Mokofisi #52 after scoring a touchdown during the second half of their game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — The No. 12 Utah Utes football team was given a good scare but still came out on top against the Kansas State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday.
The Utes’ defense had potentially its worst showing of the season. Kansas State’s 47 points don’t even tell the full story. Running back Joe Jackson finished with 293 yards and three touchdowns.
Regardless, the Utah offense was just as dangerous, if not more so. Quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin accounted for all seven of the Utes’ scores.
The win keeps Utah alive in the Big 12 title race and the road to the College Football Playoff.
Pregame
𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 🏠#GoUtes | @Rice_Eccles pic.twitter.com/gVaxMoK74J
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
On-site 📍#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/3fBgZB2FjN
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔⚫️⚫️⚫️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/rAFajgrzs6
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
Love this family of ours🥹#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/XeI1IhRd7N
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
#UBOYZ dripped in ⚫️😮💨#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/a8vkM0hR2T
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
UTAH MILI‼️🔊#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/dEMiqM7uDY
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
OBLOCK READY😤🏔️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/cesFMZiSKS
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
Thank 𝐔 seniors‼️🤝#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/oD8WyS7VIA
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙🔒#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/scHtf0CjSM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
Some ⭐️’s in attendance for this one pic.twitter.com/c6y5AEd0uN
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
First Quarter
Kansas State wins the toss and they elect to receive first and Utah will kick from north to south.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Smith Snowden starts the game with a TFL.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
A quick 3rd and 11 to start the game and the MUSS is jumping…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
JHD gets pressure on Johnson, who throws it in the dirt to avoid the sack… I’m thinking that might be intentional grounding, refs are talking about it.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
They’ve dropped the flag… KSU will punt on 4th and 19. https://t.co/MIiikNUS1L
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Utah will start their opening drive at their own 43 yard line
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Wow… K-State scores from 37 yards out. Two big runs, one of 37 and another of 44…
Both times, RB’s just slipped through the line of scrimmage and there was a lot of space at the second and third levels.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
K-State’s 52 was flagged for a late hit, with targeting. Pretty baffling play, Dampier was stopped and then boom.
That looks even even worse on replay. Dirty play.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
THE WYRD = BYRD
TOUCHDOWN UTES pic.twitter.com/96vrabVA2D
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/5uxlvsoq2y
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
It’s another Byrd Ficklin touchdown! He punches it in from 10 yards out to tie it up.#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/EW19sJA0cy
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
Oh no… That looks bad, that’s a non-contact injury for JHD
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
He’s helped off the field and putting no weight on his left leg. https://t.co/aIzDnj8mrs
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
KSU with another 30+ yard run, breaking a tackle at the line of scrimmage. They’re 1st and 10 at the 12.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
The defense is not sharp to start this one.
They give up another touchdown, a reception with 3 defenders in coverage. https://t.co/BWxH7Joboj
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Wow… After a lengthy discussion, K-State is flagged for illegal man downfield. https://t.co/3xKvDFl5MG
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
After one quarter, it’s a 7-7 game, but K-State deep in the red zone. Utah needs a big stop here. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/6WzT0ogryi
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
⚫️⚪️⚪️⚪️
End Q1Utah: 7
Kansas State: 7#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/VrPfBWojlG— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
Second Quarter
The refs have stopped the game for a medical review, it seems for Devon Dampier, who is now headed to the tent.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
BYRD. FICKLIN. SCORES. AGAIN.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Byrd Ficklin doesn’t again! He ties it up with another touchdown!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ZCi17zy7cV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/nWwaXd2Mwp
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
Utah stops Johnson short of the line to gain, and they will go for it on 4th… BUT… the spot will be reviewed.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
I think that’ll get the spot after a look… https://t.co/aoDcpQfQD7
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
KSU going for it… and they score a touchdown.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Lander and Tao both went to the edge, Jackson took it inside them both. Someone with a breakdown there.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Dampier connects with JJ Buchanan for a huge gain, KSU was flagged for holding, but the penalty is declined. Buchanan picks up 67 yards and Utah is 1st and 10 at the KSU 14
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Dampier with a great run to punch it into the end zone!
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Devon Dampier gets in on the action, he punches it in from 8 yards out to tie it back up, 21-21. pic.twitter.com/MzwLr60Z1d
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/pTX9CNEo8U
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
This can be a problem with man coverage, Utah getting gashed on the ground time and time again.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
If Utah can figure out how to not give up 30+ yard rushes today, they’ll have a chance.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Utah getting flagged for OPI on that Whittemore reception is hilarious after last week’s game.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Unreal. Utah defense gives up another huge run. Joe Jackson goes 80 yards for a score this time.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
The boo birds are out.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
⚫️⚫️⚪️⚪️
HalftimeUtah: 21
Kansas State: 31#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/pXser34Td7— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
Third Quarter
Touchdown Dallen Bentley! Devon Dampier hit him with a good ball in stride up the sideline. Utah with a touchdown in 1:11 of action.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Dallen Bentley scores from 38 yards out! The Utes add a touchdown in 1:11 of second half action. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/9C1qpaPSgi
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/RTpaXxmQ8n
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
BYRD FICKLIN IS IN FOR HIS THIRD TOUCHDOWN
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Byrd Ficklin for his third touchdown! That gives Utah the 35-31 lead with 10:03 left in the third.#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/2p5zh0OFZ7
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/O63zRj6zDE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
K-State will be flagged for holding to negate the big touchdown run but that still sets KSU up at the 50
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
KSU calls a timeout… It’ll be 4th & 3 from the 3.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
Despite a bad snap, Avery Johnson with an easy pitch and catch for the touchdown.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 22, 2025
⚫️⚫️⚫️⚪️
End Q3Utah: 35
Kansas State: 38#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/spEh5Vw5WB— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 22, 2025
After three, it’s a 38-35 game with Kansas State driving, looking to extend their lead. Can Utah figure out their defensive issues in time? pic.twitter.com/72xYGj7oRz
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2025
Fourth Quarter
Blake Cotton with a great play to break up that 3rd down pass in the end zone… KSU settled for a field, bringing a brutal possession to an end for Utah.
The offense has time, run game should still be a focal point and no need to get cute.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
3rd and 9, QB draw, and Dampier had it but fumbled and KSU recovers.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
Pick-two? @thatboytao takes the interception to the end zone on Kansas State’s two point try‼️#GoUtes
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025
Spencer Fano is now being helped off the field. What a brutal day for Utah on the injury front.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
Dampier hits Larry Simmons for the touchdown!
Utah not out of it yet, but can they do something they haven’t done all day? Stop this KSU rushing attack?
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
Logan Fano gets a sack on 1st down.
Utah calls a timeout.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
Utah then gets another stop on 2nd down.
Then calls another timeout, 2:40 left. https://t.co/LnbAoTclYT
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
Completion but Smith Snowden with the stop short of the marker.
Utah calls third and final timeout with 2:37 left. https://t.co/bUZappPn1X
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
The defense delivered a stop… Offense will start this drive with 2:25 left at the 30 yard line.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
DEVON DAMPIER BREAKS FREE!!!!
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
DEVON. DAMPIER.
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 23, 2025
59 YARD RUN BY SPID4🕸️#GoUtes | @Devonddampier pic.twitter.com/xJu6uV3eAM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025
DEVON DAMPIER TOUCHDOWN
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
#GoUtes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/QT4isAAAfe
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025
LANDER BARTON WALK OFF INTERCEPTION pic.twitter.com/9T2AZncu5Y
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2025
BALL GAME CALLED BY LANDER BARTON‼️#GoUtes | @stratushr pic.twitter.com/Jemmhss8Xm
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025
⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️
LIGHT THE U‼️ UTAH WINS‼️Utah: 51
Kansas State: 47#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/S7pNZxj60x— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025
