Takeaways: Utah Finds A Way To Win No. 10
Nov 28, 2025, 5:17 PM | Updated: Nov 29, 2025, 4:18 am
Lawrence, Ks. — On a night when everything felt like it was slipping away, Utah found the answers they needed to overcome a pretty lethargic effort.
Devon Dampier delivered two clutch fourth-quarter touchdowns, while Larry Simmons and JJ Buchanan — combining for over 160 receiving yards and multiple game-changing grabs — emerged as legit go-to targets.
Meanwhile, the Utes’ defense punched back with three interceptions, including a 97-yard pick-six, turning a sloppy, penalty-plagued game into a 31–21 grit-and-grind victory.
𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑾 of the regular season‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Bk7e3e0s0u
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 28, 2025
Here are takeaways from today’s game:
Devon Dampier Levels Up In 4th Quarter
If there was ever a game that demanded poise amid turbulence, it was this one — and Devon Dampier passed the test again. The freshman finished 15-of-25 for 253 yards and three touchdowns, adding 41 yards on the ground, but it’s the timing of those throws that elevated Utah.
Dampier was just 12-of-21 for 145 yards through three quarters. Drives stalled out repeatedly by penalties and poor execution.
However, in the 4th quarter, with the game on the line, he engineered scoring drives of 65 yards and 72 yards, each capped by touchdown passes to Larry Simmons.
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 28, 2025
In a critical situation, Whittingham trusted Beck to call something to convert a first down on 3rd & 5 with 2:20 left on the clock. The Utes faked QB power — a play they’d run the previous three plays — and Dampier dropped a perfect pop pass to a streaking Simmons for the 48-yard dagger that sealed it.
It was Dampier’s second straight game over 250 passing yards, and the second straight game he led two 4th quarter scoring drives to take and build a lead. It’s also the second straight game Dampier struggled for the first three quarters, only to crank up his level of execution in the final period.
Opportunistic Red Zone Defense Saves The Day
You don’t win many games giving up 477 total yards and 6.1 yards per play, but Utah’s defense found a way — by netting three game-changing takeaways.
Smith Snowden’s first-quarter interception ended a promising Kansas opening drive, and had nothing but open field in front of him but was tripped up by the turf on his return. Jackson Bennee’s end-zone pick in the fourth erased a potential go-ahead score for Kansas. Then, Scooby Davis’ 97-yard pick-six flipped the game from a one-possession dogfight to a double-digit lead.
That sequence — two red-zone interceptions in a span of seven minutes — epitomized Utah’s bend-but-don’t-break identity. Kansas averaged 6.8 yards per rush but came away empty on two of three red-zone trips.
Utah recorded three interceptions in a single game for the first time since the Oregon State game in 2022. And the Utes needed all three of them.
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 28, 2025
Because again, Utah’s run defense was surprisingly bad. A week after giving up 472 yards, the Jayhawks ran for 290 on the ground. The Jayhawks converted 17 first downs on the ground alone, it kept the chains moving all game long.
Utah’s inability to control of the line of scrimmage and maintain gap integrity was the culprit for the struggles yet again. Over and over, Kansas was able to generate movement, horizontally and vertically, that created lanes for their running backs Daniel Hishaw and Leshon Williams.
Utah probably needs to take a long, hard look at the defensive tackle position this offseason. There are a handful of promising young players, and Utah needs them to develop, but the program might also assess potential additions and/or changes to how or what the group is tasked with executing.
Wayshawn Parker Keeps the Engine Running
Call him Utah’s safety valve, spark plug, and tone-setter — all in one. Wayshawn Parker tallied 127 total yards (95 rushing, 32 receiving) on just 13 touches, with many clamoring for Utah to feed him late in the game to eclipse the 100-yard threshold for the fifth straight game.
Through October, Utah had been quietly load-managing Parker, as he was dealing with nagging shoulder pain. Whittingham, Beck, and Mark Atuaia took the long view, easing his reps in hopes of keeping him healthy.
Back to back big plays for Utah
-Devon Dampier ➡️ Wayshawn Parker for 32 yds
-Devon Dampier ➡️ Larry Simmons for the 28 yd TD#Utes pic.twitter.com/NWdlnhtEO1— ⟁⟁⟁ (@fsh733) November 28, 2025
By the time Utah reached the stretch run, Parker looked fresh. With his outing today, Parker has enjoyed a strong five-game run:
- Colorado, 145 total yards on 10 touches
- Cincinnati, 104 total yards on 17 touches
- Baylor, 129 total yards on 15 touches
- Kansas State, 100 total yards on 19 touches
- Kansas, 127 total yards on 13 touches
What stood out Friday was how fresh and explosive he looked in the final game of the season. Perhaps Parker should’ve gotten more work throughout the season, but it’s hard to argue with the results. Parker was still creating explosives through vision, elusiveness, explosiveness, and power even after a full season of work.
Larry Simmons & JJ Buchanan Emerging as Go-To Pass Catchers?
Simmons and Buchanan stood out in this one — and their season numbers suggest Utah may have finally found a viable core to build its passing game around heading into 2026.
Simmons delivered in crunch time yet again. He hauled in three catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns — including the 48-yard touchdown that sealed the game. “Touchdown Larry” finishes the regular season with 14 receptions for 271 yards and six touchdowns.
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 28, 2025
Buchanan continues to ascend as a big play guy. The freshman pass catcher has logged 20 catches for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns this season, already leading Utah’s young receiving corps in production. He added 2 more receptions and 65 yards to his tally today, and was a better camera angle/referee crew from adding a third big reception.
It seems Utah has found a dependable deep-threat wideout in Simmons and a mismatch, positional-versatile weapon with Buchanan. This gives the Utes far more flexibility offensively, particularly as the conversation shifts to the offseason and future outlook.
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 28, 2025
Micah Simon deserves credit for the development of these two, and throw in Creed Whittemore too. After relying on the run game for the bulk of the season, it seems like Utah found some answers at the receiver position, which could benefit the 2026 offense.
