Initial Availability Report For No. 17 Cincinnati Vs No. 24 Utah
Oct 29, 2025, 8:40 PM | Updated: Oct 30, 2025, 9:52 am
Devon Dampier runs into the end zone against Arizona State. Photo by Joel Davidson
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah turns the page to Week 10, and the stakes jump dramatically. No. 24 Utah hosts No. 17 Cincinnati in a matchup that carries real weight in the Big 12 race, and once again, availability and quarterback clarity will be central storylines.
This time, though, the conversation feels different.
Utah is coming off its most complete performance of the season, a 53–7 demolition of Colorado where freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin stepped in and did more than hold serve — he earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors.
The offense stayed dynamic, the run game stayed punishing, and the defense looked like Sack Lake City again.
No QB controversy, Devon Dampier is still QB1
But Kyle Whittingham made one thing clear on Monday:
“Devon is still QB1, make no mistake, there’s no QB controversy of any sort. We’ll just have to measure Devon’s progress day by day and see where he ends up,” Kyle Whittingham said.
Dampier’s recovery and readiness remain the biggest watch item of the week. Utah’s not hiding anything — Whittingham said they’ll know more mid-week once the Big 12 availability reports drop.
And, Dampier was not listed on Wednesday’s initial report. In fact, reports are out that Dampier is expected to start against Cincinnati.
Utah’s Availability Report
With Cincinnati on tap this Saturday, here is who was listed on the initial availability report for Utah:
- Doubtful: DT Dallas Vakalahi, DT/TE Semi Taulanga
- Questionable: Tobias Merriweather
Last week, players that were previously listed as “Out” were removed from the list. According to Big 12 rules, those players can be removed from the report if they are season-ending injuries and they’ve been on the report at least once following the injury.
Season-ending injuries: S Rabbit Evans, S Nate Ritchie, WR Daidren Zipperer, TE Hunter Andrews, DE Paul Fitzgerald, OL Isaiah Garcia
Cincinnati’s Availability Report
The availability report is much longer for the Cincinnati Bearcats is just as short as Utah’s, here is who was listed for Cincinnati:
- Out: RB Evan Pryor, LB Terrell Holcomb
- PROBABLE: LB Montay Weedon
What’s at stake
For Utah, this isn’t just another regular-season game. With a dominant 53-7 victory over Colorado in their last outing and a return to the national rankings, a win Saturday keeps them firmly in the Big 12 title conversation.
Lose, and not only do they miss another major opportunity (especially at home with college-football’s spotlight on them), but they’d head into the final stretch with no margin for error, and a great need for help.
