Turnovers Doom No. 16 Utah Football In Loss To No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Sep 20, 2025, 1:41 PM
Utah Utes defensive end Logan Fano (0) tugs on Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive lineman Jacob Ponton (70) during the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The No. 16 Utah football team was never able to put together any momentum as they lost their first game of the season to the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday.
Once again, penalties were an issue for Utah, but nothing hurt more than the turnovers. Five of the Utes’ 15 drives ended in either a fumble, interception, or turnover on downs.
A slight silver lining for Utah is that the game was well within reach through the first three and a half quarters. Texas Tech ran up the score late, scoring touchdowns on all of its final three drives.
The Utes will hit the road to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in week five.
Pregame
Out in FULL FORCE
Tune in to @BNKonFOX NOW! pic.twitter.com/pzi2OnVndd
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 20, 2025
Ready for the moment🔒#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/xCAP2K8bO3
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
𝐔𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7chyipQ5BC
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
“If we can control the line of scrimmage and get our run game going, I like our chances.”@JennyTaft spoke with @Utah_Football head coach Kyle Whittingham ahead of today’s game against Texas Tech. pic.twitter.com/GsS9MVbXyv
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) September 20, 2025
Morning 📸 #GoUtes‼️ pic.twitter.com/hd7TK33gas
— University of Utah (@UUtah) September 20, 2025
Utah is ROCKING pic.twitter.com/G32ZTQrOO6
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 20, 2025
Ain’t no place like this one‼️#GoUtes | @BNKonFOX pic.twitter.com/5Hs8OQ5QHE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Utah’s Devon Dampier greets young fans on the field pregame ❤️@Utah_Football | @BarstoolUtes pic.twitter.com/O0LIAP3UBY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
UTE PROUD ⚪️🔴🔴#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/AihL76SPOK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Utes take the field⏳#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/blUDkxTDw6
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
A couple @Utah_Football legends in the house 🏡 pic.twitter.com/uujWkxXLMh
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 20, 2025
UTAH MILI‼️ Get to RES NOW‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/lXIL1lZN2I
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Couldn’t have asked for a better day for Big 12 football in Salt Lake City 🏈 #Big12FB | @BNKonFOX pic.twitter.com/xLpwxJq7To
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 20, 2025
ABOUT THAT TIME‼️🙌#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/fCyqsnOnsH
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
First Quarter
Seven plays. 85 yards. Six points.@TexasTechFB comes out swingin’ in this ranked Big 12 brawl with a score on their opening offensive possession.#Big12FB | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/vFDwfPpQ8k
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 20, 2025
They marked him short a few inches of the line to gain and Utah brings in the jumbo package.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Tech calls timeout. Big moment here for Utah. https://t.co/fVGEZkXP3Z
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
That was a big stop for a loss on 3rd down, forcing a punt for Texas Tech.
On the return, TT will be flagged for a catch interference, 15 yard penalty and Utah will start this drive at the 26.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
But a flag on the play will bring that back. https://t.co/IqzBhHFZX4
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Penalties have killed Utah this season, and it killed a big play there.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
On 3rd and 10, Dampier throws to Larry Simmons, which drew the DPI penalty, Utah gets a new set of downs.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Pass interference is called against Texas Tech on this play pic.twitter.com/7Um7Aipdp2
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
Dev’s got to hang onto that one. Utah nearly loses the ball, but then Ryan Davis fumbles on the next play and Tech picks up. An absolutely crazy possession there.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
A TEXTBOOK PUNCH FROM TEXAS TECH 🥊@TexasTechFB pic.twitter.com/taPlbvx5na
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
Tao Johnson interception! Hauled in the PBU by Cotton… Utah back in business at the 30 yard line.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
UTAH INTERCEPTION!! pic.twitter.com/Cp8MWrjcsK
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
INT @thatboytao‼️#GoUtes | @stratushr pic.twitter.com/ED5ZVLYpen
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
First pick for @thatboytao this season‼️#GoUtes | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/3Etz4ziqF2
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Lol… This is insane. Another fumble at midfield. Wayshawn Parker had it punched out this time and Tech recovers.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
ANOTHER PUNCH FORCES THE FUMBLE @TexasTechFB does it again! pic.twitter.com/nfLTajC2bL
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
What a HIT from Daley 😤😳@Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/iV0E2VYuJ6
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
What a bizarre quarter. The fact Utah was able to keep that to 7-0 is noteworthy. Somehow, someway, despite all the craziness, the defense made enough plays. The Utah offense clearly needs to lock in a little more mentally.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️
End Q1Utah: 00
Texas Tech: 07#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/I1vJd1HaJC— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Second Quarter
Wow, the refs overturn the completion to Merriweather, that is an interesting one.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Jackson Bennee with the literal takeaway! What a play! Secures his 3rd interception of the season and third straight game with a pick
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Utes force ANOTHER PICK‼️ That’s 3️⃣ INTs on the year for @BenneeJackson!!#GoUtes | @stratushr pic.twitter.com/nNncvwFzQL
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Gimme that @BenneeJackson 😮💨#GoUtes | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/ssLZX9dYRy
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Holy cow. What a throw and catch to Bentley… picked up 14 yards… The refs are going to review it though.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Ruling upheld. https://t.co/NxknpltTUE
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Thought Utah could’ve gone for it there but understand wanting to pin them deep… Unfortunately, a 26-yard net punt and Tech starting at th 19 only makes the decision to not go for it look worse.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
On the delayed handoff, Tech picked up 13 yards but JHD got to Morton and hit him pretty hard… Morton is slow to get up and has to leave the game. T
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Third false start of the game on Texas Tech.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Dampier throws his first interception of the season, after avoiding pressure in the pocket, he scrambled out to his left and chucked it downfield.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Devon Dampier escapes all the danger and then throws an INT 😬 pic.twitter.com/6AGWGvnfOY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
Fourth false start on Texas Tech.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
JHD draws the first holding penalty of the game. Negates a big play for Tech
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Bennee with a big tackle on 2nd down there, gets the TFL and Utah calls a timeout with 1:03, ahead of 3rd & 22
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Tech going for a 58-yard field goal… And it’s good. Tech goes up 10-0 with :48 left.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
STONE HARRINGTON WITH A 58-YARD BOOT 🥾🎯@TexasTechFB makes it 10-0 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Gk6Nq6zWNA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
Tech flagged for defensive pass interference, and Utah moves up to the Tech 44
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
After a roughing kicker penalty, Curtis connects on a 32 yarder and Utah finishes the half with points… Dampier executed the hurry-up quite well, and Utah may need to go to that more in the second half.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
🙌 @Utah_Football gets on the board just before the half pic.twitter.com/JhzCoExxLq
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
🔴🔴⚪️⚪️
HalftimeUtah: 03
Texas Tech: 07#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/BJc6WWpXsE— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Some thoughts on the first half… pic.twitter.com/KPwnfAa2dN
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Third Quarter
Facemask penalty to start the half for Tech… 1st and 23 now at the 12… And now a false start, the fifth of the game. 1st and & 28 now from the 7…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Morton scrambled and as he was going down, took a shot to the dome. Utah is flagged for targeting. I have not seen a replay… But no flag for targeting after review.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Morton is out and it’s 3rd & 18 now…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
False start No. 6 for Tech, 3rd and 23…
And Behren Morton is headed to the locker room. https://t.co/vm0wKsRiHU
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Morton takes a hard hit on this play 😬
After review, there is no foul for targeting. Do you agree with the call? pic.twitter.com/2YKFun6DY8
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
On 3rd down, Dampier throws an interception but the replay pretty clearly shows the ball bouncing on the turf.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
That was a great play by Hall for the TFL. He’s had a much better second half so far. Tech punts and pins it at the 1… Utah offense has gotta figuring something out here.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
False start No. 7 for Texas Tech.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
This feels like a pivotal moment for Utah, they’ve got to generate something offensively.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
A missed opportunity there for Utah… Dampier had Merriweather break free, he was open, and couldn’t give him a good ball.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Utah is going to want this one back 😬 pic.twitter.com/ZLKRiSUaEf
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
🔴🔴🔴⚪️
End Q3Utah: 03
Texas Tech: 10#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/I4YR6JQPXN— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
Fourth Quarter
Finally, a big play in the passing game, Dampier on the move, hits Bentley who takes it 44 yards to the Tech 31.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Wayshawn Parker punches it into the end zone and the Rice Eccles Stadium crowd is revitalized.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Punching it in the endzone is @WayshawnParker‼️#GoUtes | @pepsi pic.twitter.com/kBK7Bf3ZfI
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
THE UTES ARE RIGHT BACK IN IT 🙌
Wayshawn Parker punches it in for @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/b5hEVui1jT
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
RELATED: Wayshawn Parker Gives Utah Football Life With Late Rushing Touchdown
Dallen Bentley has come up big for Utah so many times already this season. His 44 yard gain came at the exact moment Utah needed something most.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Nathan Tilmon in for Nate Ritchie.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
Backup QB Will Hammond marches Tech down the field for a touchdown score. That puts Tech back up 20-10. Pretty stark difference between the two passing games today.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 20, 2025
PICKED OFF @TexasTechFB makes another big play on defense 🔒 pic.twitter.com/5sfV1ox5qO
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
Final
Utah: 10
Texas Tech: 34— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 20, 2025
A STATEMENT WIN IN SALT LAKE CITY 😤@TexasTechFB gets it first win in a ranked matchup since 2008 after defeating No. 16 Utah ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/xwRKBx4l3O
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
