Utah’s Wayshawn Parker named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Sep 28, 2026, 11:34 AM
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Wayshawn Parker #1 of the Utah Utes celebrates with teammate wide receiver Ricky Johnson #11 of the Utah Utes after scoring a touchdown in the first half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on September 26, 2026, in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy Photography)
(Photo by David Purdy Photography)
SALT LAKE CITY — Wayshawn Parker’s first carry at Iowa State went 54 yards for a touchdown. His next 17 went for another 120 yards, which might be the more convincing case for the award he received Monday.
The Utah running back was named a Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after piling up 239 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in the Utes’ 31-17 win in Ames. He shares the honor with Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
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— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 28, 2026
Parker rushed for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt. He caught five passes for 65 yards and another score. Even without the opening burst, he averaged 7.1 yards on his remaining carries against an Iowa State defense that entered the game allowing 3.6 yards per rush.
“Really proud of Wayshawn Parker,” Morgan Scalley said in his post-game press conference. “This is a guy, all he does is everything you ask. You watch this kid when he doesn’t have the ball. He runs, he blocks, he picks up his teammates and celebrates with his teammates, so he deserves everything good that comes his way. Really proud of him.”
Wayshawn Parker set the tone vs Iowa State
The explosive run was how Utah announced itself on its first road trip under Morgan Scalley. Parker took a direct snap, faked a toss to quarterback Devon Dampier and followed his blockers to the left before breaking into the open field. He gave the Utes a 7-0 lead before their offense had run a second play.
The rest of his afternoon had considerably more resistance but his numbers still impress. Parker gained 137 yards after contact — nearly 79% of his rushing total — and was officially credited with six missed tackles forced, which feels extremely light. He produced eight rushing first downs and four gains of at least 10 yards.
Those numbers help explain why his impact lasted well beyond the opening touchdown, but Utah needed him again late.
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After leading 24-3 at halftime, the Utes went scoreless in the third quarter and watched Iowa State close within 24-17. Parker carried three times for 27 yards on Utah’s next possession, including a 15-yard run that moved the ball into Cyclones territory. He capped the seven-play drive with a 13-yard touchdown catch from Dampier to put the game away with 2:58 remaining.
“The offensive line, I have to give props to the line first. They were making gaps for me to go through,” Parker said afterward. He also pointed to Dampier’s running ability, which gave Iowa State another player to defend.
Scalley pointed to what Parker does when the ball goes elsewhere, praising his blocking and the way he supports his teammates. The production has been hard to miss, too: Parker has scored three touchdowns in three of Utah’s four games this season.
His 239 yards from scrimmage were the most by a Utah player since Britain Covey’s 252 in the Rose Bowl following the 2021 season. Utah enters its bye week at 4-0 before hosting Kansas on Oct. 10.
