Wayshawn Parker powers Utah past Iowa State, but second-half slowdown complicates the takeaway

AMES, Iowa — Utah scored on its first offensive snap and led Iowa State by 21 points at halftime. By the fourth quarter, the Utes needed Wayshawn Parker to help them take the game back.

No. 15 Utah won 31–17 on Saturday to improve to 4–0 and open Big 12 play with a road victory. The result was secure only after Iowa State cut a 24–3 halftime deficit to 24–17 with 10:48 remaining.

UTAH WINS‼️

Utah: 31
Iowa State: 17#GoUtes | #RSNB pic.twitter.com/DPViwc09Ee

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 26, 2026

Wayshawn Parker carried the beginning and the finish

Parker opened the game in the wildcat, faked a toss to Devon Dampier and followed two pullers left for a 54-yard touchdown. The play showed better movement from a Utah line featuring Zereoue Williams, Kelvin Obot, Alex Harrison, Keith Olson and Cedric Jefferson.

Parker continued to find room throughout the afternoon, finishing with 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus five catches for 65 yards and another score.

His most important work came after Iowa State made it a one-possession game. Utah’s defense forced a three-and-out, then Parker gained eight and 15 yards on the first two plays of a 61-yard drive.

Then, Dampier found him for a 13-yard touchdown on third-and-1 with 2:58 left, restoring a two-score lead, and giving Parker his third touchdown of the day. Ultimately, putting the game on ice.

Utah’s second-half offense is a real concern

Dampier was sharp as Utah built its lead. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 160 yards in the first half, including a 24-yard touchdown to Braden Pegan that capped a 90-yard drive.

After halftime, though, Utah gained just 139 yards and scored seven points, compared with 272 yards and 24 points before the break.

Dampier specifically went 6 of 12 for 46 yards in the second half, and the Utes managed just 47 yards on 10 plays in the third quarter. They finished 3 of 10 on third down.

Parker’s late drive showed Utah could still move the ball when it had to. The lengthy drought before it is difficult to dismiss. Utah had a productive run game and did not turn the ball over, yet it repeatedly failed to extend possessions while Iowa State worked its way back.

The defense finished after letting Iowa State back in

Utah held the Cyclones to 106 yards and no third-down conversions in the first half. Iowa State’s two touchdown drives after halftime went 82 and 81 yards. Jaylen Raynor scored on an eight-yard run, then connected with Dominic Overby from 22 yards out to make it 24–17.

The defense responded at the most important moment. Trey Reynolds stopped Aiden Flora for a loss, Elijah Elliss finished the ensuing three-and-out with a sack, and Jackson Bennee intercepted Raynor after Parker’s touchdown. Utah held Flora to 54 yards on 13 carries and closed out the win.

The Utes earned their first conference road victory with a strong start and a convincing finish. What happened between them will demand attention this week: a 21-point halftime lead became a seven-point fourth-quarter game without Utah committing a turnover. The final score looks comfortable. The second half was not.

The offensive line gave Utah a stronger run-game foundation

Utah’s 205 rushing yards were not built entirely on Parker rescuing broken plays. The opening touchdown gave him a clear lane behind the pullers, and the line continued to create useful space against a defense that had allowed 3.6 yards per rush entering the game. Iowa State recorded only one sack, too.

The fourth-quarter drive was the best evidence of that progress. With the lead down to seven, Utah ran Parker twice for gains of eight and 15 yards. The Utes could lean on their blockers when they needed to move the chains and drain the clock.

Utah won the turnover and return battles, but the penalties piled up

Iowa State entered the game with touchdown threats in Aiden Flora on punts and Cameron Pettaway on kickoffs. Neither broke a return against Utah. The Utes also intercepted Jaylen Raynor twice without committing a turnover of their own, an advantage that helped protect the lead through their offensive drought.

The blemish was nine penalties for 85 yards. A pass-interference call helped extend the 81-yard drive that brought Iowa State within seven. Utah handled the major special-teams threats, but the flags supplied some of the extra yards it had worked to deny.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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