Utah Responds In A Big Way, Earning The 48-14 Win Over West Virginia
Sep 27, 2025, 4:50 PM
Sep 27, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Utah football hit the Country Roads to make its very first trip to Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday. Kyle Whittingham’s team brought with it exactly what the doctor ordered: urgency, rhythm, and a statement bounce-back win, earning a 48-14 win over the Mountaineers.
For both Utah and West Virginia, this was a “gut check” game — each coming off losses in their first Big 12 conference outings.
For Utah in particular, the challenge was about more than just the standings. The Utes needed a performance that reestablished identity and confidence heading into a bye week.
And for four quarters in Morgantown, they delivered.
Utah, Devon Dampier, set the tone early
The first possession told the story. Utah’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, setting up Devon Dampier and the offense with a chance to establish a rhythm.
Dampier, who battled through injury and scrutiny a week ago, orchestrated a masterful 12-play, 73-yard drive capped by a JJ Buchanan touchdown reception.
The series featured the kind of downfield passing Utah fans have been begging for: a strike to Dallen Bentley on the sideline, a rope to Ryan Davis across the middle, and steady rhythm from the quarterback who looked far more comfortable than he did seven days earlier.
Utah’s defense stayed locked in, forcing another punt, and the offense wasted no time doubling down. This time it was NaQuari Rogers bullying the Mountaineers’ front — five carries for 32 yards on the march. Dampier polished it off with a 7-yard keeper to make it 14–0, and suddenly the Utah sideline had a new swagger.
For Whittingham, it was exactly the kind of complementary football he’s preached. Defense creating stops, offense cashing them in.
Devon Dampier rumbles into the end zone!! @Utah_Football is rolling! 😎 pic.twitter.com/Uzu0YoKsbt
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 27, 2025
Utah Answers Adversity
The first quarter wasn’t without cost. Safety Nate Ritchie and corner Jackson Bennee both exited with injuries, a sobering reminder that attrition is never far away. But instead of deflating Utah’s energy, it only seemed to sharpen the edge.
Dampier continued to find his rhythm in the second quarter, delivering a perfect strike to Ryan Davis on a deep over route for a 32-yard touchdown. It was as sharp a throw as he’s made all season.
Moments later, though, Dampier made his lone mistake of the half — an interception on a ball to Tobias Merriweather that fluttered short, either slipping from his grip or hanging in the Morgantown air too long. West Virginia had a chance to seize momentum, but the Ute defense slammed the door.
Morgan Scalley’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage from the jump. West Virginia tried to muscle forward in short yardage with a jumbo package under center, but Utah snuffed it out on 3rd down. When the Mountaineers went back to the well on 4th, the Utes met them with another tackle for loss.
That sequence underscored the theme: Utah’s defense was dictating terms, swarming gaps, and daring WVU to find answers it didn’t have.
Closing Statement Before the Break
Pinned deep at their own 6-yard line on their fifth possession, Utah could have played conservative. Instead, they marched 94 yards in clinical fashion, eating up more than four minutes of clock.
Dampier mixed in throws, Rogers chipped away on the ground, and the Utes just continued to control the tempo. The payoff came on a beautifully executed playaction bootleg — the entire Mountaineer defense bit, leaving Bentley wide open for a 2-yard touchdown.
When the halftime whistle blew, the scoreboard told the story: Utah 28, West Virginia 0. That was significant because Utah would also open up the second half with the possession.
Utah kept the foot on the gas to start the second half
The Utes opened the second half the way they opened the game: with Dampier dealing. He connected again with Dallen Bentley on a 21-yard sideline throw, then kept the chains moving with a calm 4th-and-2 conversion — once again to Bentley.
Then, on 1st-and-10 from the WVU 10, Dampier rolled right and lofted a touch pass over a defender to Wayshawn Parker, who hauled in the 11-yard score. The play was initially flagged for illegal touching but was reviewed and called a touchdown.
The difference between this week and last week was undeniable; Utah led 35–0, thanks to tremendous offensive execution.
#GoUtes | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/JYHR4QyZnq
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 27, 2025
West Virginia finally broke through with a touchdown reception, but Utah’s response was immediate.
Dampier and Parker spearheaded a 5-play, 60-yard drive highlighted by Parker’s 40-yard sprint through the Mountaineer secondary. The Utes stalled in the red zone, settling for a Dillon Curtis 33-yard field goal to push the margin to 38–7.
Subs enter the game in the 4th
With the game comfortably in hand, Utah leaned on its depth to close out the fourth quarter. Freshmen Byrd Ficklin and Daniel Bray each flashed, picking up chunk gains and showing that the pipeline behind the starters is capable of contributing.
Those two continued to lead the offense down the field on a 9-play 61 yard drive. Eventually, Utah settled for another 33-yard field goal for Dillon Curtis.
The defense, even with substitutions, continued to bottle up the Mountaineers and limit explosive plays. For Whittingham and his staff, the closing minutes weren’t just about running clock — they were about developing depth and giving young playmakers meaningful reps in a live Big 12 environment.
The Bigger Picture
From start to finish, this was the bounce-back Utah needed. Dampier looked healthy, confident, and effective, throwing for multiple touchdowns and commanding the offense. The run game found balance, with Rogers and Parker each carving out impact moments. And defensively, Utah’s front dictated tempo all afternoon.
Most importantly, the Utes answered the bell in a must-have spot. With the bye week looming and Arizona State coming to Salt Lake City after that, Utah leaves Morgantown not just with a win, but with renewed confidence.
For Whittingham’s program, it was more than just a victory — it was a statement that Utah isn’t backing down in the Big 12 race.
