Devon Dampier Throws First Utah Touchdown To LB Lander Barton

Aug 30, 2025, 10:02 PM

Devon Dampier Utah Football first touchdown Lander Barton...

Utah Utes running back NaQuari Rogers (21) and Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) talk during warmups as Utah and UCLA prepare to play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

(Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

BY CHANDLER HOLT

KSL Sports

PASADENA, Calif. – New Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was dynamic in his first appearance with the team, and he threw his first touchdown to linebacker Lander Barton on the Utes’ third drive of the game.

Utah went 3/3 on touchdown drives to start the game, two of the scores went to defensive players.

LB/TE Lander Barton everybody…😏#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/yRutj6wjMv

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 31, 2025

Over the first three drives, Dampier connected on six of his seven pass attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown. He also scrambled eight times for 47 yards.

The 14-yard touchdown reception was Barton’s first catch of the game.

Devon Dampier Steps In As Utah’s QB1

Dampier came to Salt Lake City this offseason from New Mexico along with offensive coordinator Jason Beck.

Last season with the Lobos, Dampier completed 226 of his 390 pass attempts for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also scrambled 155 times for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.

The past three seasons of quarterback play for Utah have been filled with injuries and inconsistency. The Utah program hopes that Dampier is the answer as they head into year two in the Big 12 Conference.

𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘿𝙖𝙮

🆚 UCLA
🏟️ The Rose Bowl
⏰ SAT 08.30 | 9:00PM MT
📺 FOX
📻 ESPN 700 / 92.1 FM#GoUtes | @Devonddampier pic.twitter.com/7I2FRNWaY1

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 29, 2025

Utah Football Looks To Start Strong Against UCLA

Utah football opens its 2025 season in the Rose Bowl against the Big Ten’s UCLA Bruins today.

With a new offensive coordinator, a new quarterback, and several key returners on the offensive line and defense, the Utes aim to bounce back from a disappointing inaugural Big 12 season.

Their first opponent: former Pac-12 rival UCLA. This will be the first non-conference meeting between these schools since 2007. The Utes are 6-1 in their last 7 meetings with the Bruins. This includes three wins in their last four trips to the Rose Bowl.