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Recap, analysis: Utah keeps College Football Playoff hopes alive with impressive win over Baylor

Utes left McLane Stadium with a must-have win over Bears
Cole Forsman|
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) carries the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium.
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) carries the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

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Kyle Whittingham knew Baylor’s potent passing attack, helmed by the nation’s touchdown leader in Sawyer Robertson, would present Utah’s secondary with quite the challenge during Saturday’s Big 12 matchup in Waco, Texas.

But Whittingham and his coaching staff couldn’t account for all the explosive plays that would help the Utes (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) overcome a big night offensively from the Bears (5-5, 3-4 Big 12), who managed to move the ball with consistency but couldn’t always capitalize with points in a 55-28 final from McLane Stadium.

Utah yielded a season-high 563 total yards of offense to Baylor and lost the time of possession battle, but a pair of interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — and three 60-plus yard touchdown scores on offense offset the Utes’ defensive lapses.

True freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin accounted for two of those quick strikes on the ground with scores from 67 and 74 yards out, finishing with 166 of the Utes’ 380 rush yards on the night.

Robertson wasn’t the sharpest but managed to keep the Bears in the fight going into the second half with a touchdown pass to Josh Cameron just before halftime, making it a 28-17 game heading into the break. Baylor tacked on a field goal to cut its deficit to eight in the third quarter, though it was evident some big plays were left on the field as Robertson missed a few throws to wide open receivers.

Leading 42-20 early in the fourth, Trey Reynolds helped deliver the dagger with an interception as Robertson took a shot from Jackson Bennee, setting the Utes up inside the 10-yard line following a 31-yard return. Devon Dampier tossed one of his two touchdown passes on the night moments later to Wayshawn Parker, who ended the night with 129 rush yards and two scores.

Utah's success on the ground played a role in what was a quiet night passing for Dampier, along with some impressive play from Baylor's secondary. The dual-threat quarterback was 6-of-13 for 80 yards and two touchdowns, attempting just two passes after halftime as Ficklin shared signal-calling duties for a good chunk of the second half.

Roberton kept slinging it, eventually connecting with Kole Wilson for an 18-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. After the play, Scooby Davis and Ashtyn Hawkins got into a scuffle, resulting in a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Utah defensive back and Baylor wide receiver. They'll have to miss the first half of their next game, per Big 12 rules.

Hawkins and Cameron combined for 284 receiving yards, as Robertson ended the night with 430 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 29-of-58 through the air. Baylor, which entered the night as the Big 12's top passing offense, also got 97 rush yards from Bryson Washington.

With the win, Utah kept its College Football Playoff and Big 12 title hopes alive heading into a Week 13 matchup at home against Kansas State.

Here is the live updates recap.

4TH QUARTER

Utah touchdown!: NaQuari Rogers had his second touchdown on the night, capping off a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Dillon Curtis' point after attempt was blocked (55-28, 3:28).

Utah moves the chains: Ryan Davis hauled in a pass from Byrd Ficklin on third-and-7, moving the chains while recording the game's first catch by a Utah wide receiver (49-28, 5:52).

Bears touchdown and extracurricular activity: Sawyer Robertson kept slinging it and eventually connected with Kole Wilson for an 18-yard touchdown. After the play, Scooby Davis and Ashtyn Hawkins got into a scuffle, resulting in a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Utah defensive back and Baylor wide receiver. The Bears converted their 2-point conversion try moments later (49-28, 8:18).

Touchdown Utah!: Devon Dampier swung a quick pass out to Wayshawn Parker, who froze a Baylor defender before leaping into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night and potentially the dagger the Utes were looking for to put the Bears away (49-20, 11:03).

Interception!: Trey Reynolds stepped in front of a pass intended for Ashtyn Hawkins as Sawyer Robertson took a shot on a blitz from Jackson Bennee, setting the Utes up on the Bears' 9-yard line following a 31-yard return from Reynolds (42-20, 12:43).

Touchdown Utes!: After Byrd Ficklin connected with JJ Buchanan, setting the Utes up on the Bears' 5-yard line, NaQuari Rogers took an option toss from Devon Dampier to the goal line for a touchdown. That put Utah over the 40-point threshold for the seventh time of the 2025 season (42-20, 14:12).

Utes in the red zone: With Devon Dampier's 7-yard gain at the end of the third quarter, Utah's entered the red zone for the first time. Utah ran 42 plays before its first inside the Bears' 20-yard line (35-20, 15:00).

3RD QUARTER

Utes get fourth down stop: Jackson Bennee came off the edge on a blitz, forcing Sawyer Robertson to step up right into the arms of John Henry Daley for a gain of 1 yard on fourth-and-8. Utah took over on its own 46-yard line. Bears had a fourth-and-three situation before a false start penalty moved them back five yards (35-20, 3:32).

It's a Byrd!: Byrd Ficklin would not be denied as he shrugged off a tackle attempt from Bears safety Tyler Turner, turned on the burners and outraced the defense to the end zone for a 74-yard score. Ficklin's second rushing touchdown of the night marked the longest run play of the 2025 season for the Utes (35-20, 7:13).

Utes bend but don't break: Baylor had to settle for its second field goal in the red zone after Utah's front seven got home on first down, then shut down the run on second down to set up a third-and-11 from the 14-yard line. Trey Reynolds nearly came up with an interception on a misfire from Sawyer Robertson, setting up a successful 31-yard kick from Connor Hawkins on fourth down (28-20, 8:09).

Baylor moves the chains: A couple of chunk plays through the air got the Bears into Utes territory. Sawyer Robertson found Josh Cameron three times, including one for 22 yards to set Baylor up on Utah's 27-yard line (10:18).

Utah punts on first drive: The Utes wanted to establish the run coming out of halftime, though the Bears were ready for Devon Dampier's keeper on third-and-4, stuffing the dual-threat quarterback and forcing a punt. Baylor started its first drive on its on own 23-yard line (28-17, 11:46).

HALFTIME RECAP

Utah 28, Baylor 17

Big play Utes: Outside of a 10-play scoring drive in the first quarter, Utah took advantage of some quick strikes to build a double-digit lead at the half. The Utes capitalized off three 60-plus yard scores, including an interception returned for a touchdown and two long runs from Byrd Ficklin and Wayshawn Parker.

Utes defense caught a few breaks: It wasn't an exceptional start for Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Despite the separation Baylor's receivers were able to create downfield, the nation's leader in touchdown passes missed on a handful of opportunities. Robertson was 5-for-12 on passes traveling 15 or more yards in the first half, though it felt like he could've had more big plays. He completed 45% of his attempts in the first half, though the big completions in the second quarter hurt the Utes more than anything.

Another big day for Utah running back: Wayshawn Parker needed just 10 carries in the first half to cross the 100-yard threshold for the third consecutive game. A majority of his production came via a 64-yard score in the second quarter, though his hard running helped keep the Utes offense afloate while the passing game stumbled out of the gate.

2ND QUARTER

Baylor touchdown: Sawyer Robertson avoided a sack from Logan Fano, rolled to his right and hit Josh Cameron on the adjustment, resulting in a 29-yard catch-and-run score for the Bears. Utah's inability to sustain its previous drive and drain the clock came back to bite the Utes (28-17, 0:04).

Utah leaves time on the clock: A three-and-out from Utah's offense and short punt left just under 30 seconds for Baylor to cut into its deficit before halftime (28-10, 0:22).

Utes stand tall on fourth down: Back-to-back passes on third and fourth down from Sawyer Robertson were well off the mark, giving the Utes possession from their own 26-yard line following an 11-play drive from Baylor (28-10, 1:06).

Bears keep drive alive: Caden Knighten got just enough on fourth-and-2 to keep Baylor's offense on the field (28-10, 3:15).

Utah touchdown!: Baylor only put five defenders in the box and Wayshawn Parker took advantage, busting right through the middle of Baylor's soft box for a 64-yard score (28-10, 4:28).

Baylor adds three to the board: Utah held its grown in the red zone, locking up Baylor's receivers in the end zone and stuffing a run play for Bryson Washington to limit the Bears' drive to three points. Utah came into the game with the No. 3 red zone defense in the Big 12 (21-10, 5:01).

Baylor on the move: Kole Wilson hauled in a deep pass from Sawyer Robertson, made a couple of Utah defenders miss and got shoved out of bounds at the Utes' 15-yard line (21-7, 8:03).

Bears shut down Utes passing attack: Baylor's secondary came ready for Utah's passing attack, forcing incompletions on six of Devon Dampier's first nine attempts through the air, including one intended for JJ Buchana on third-and-12. (21-7, 8:25).

Utah forces three and out: Johnathan Hall leveled Sawyer Robertson as he tried to get a pass to Kole Wilson on third-and-12, though the Bears had to punt after the pass fell incomplete. Despite being able to stand in a clean pocket for the most part, Robertson started 7-of-18 passing (21-7, 9:43).

Byrd's the word!: Utah's true freshman quarterback kept the option play for himself and broke off a 67-yard touchdown run, his sixth rushing touchdown of the season and his second one from 60-plus yards out in his last three games. Excellent blocking up front paved the way for Ficklin, who stepped in for Devon Dampier after the Utes starting quarterback returned from a brief locker room visit. (21-7, 10:47).

Bears touchdown: The Utes stuffed three straight run plays inside their own 5-yard line, but the Bears got in the end zone anyway after Sawyer Robertson hit Josh Cameron on the goal line (14-7, 12:00).

Baylor moves it on the ground: Bryson Washington shook off some tackle attempts for a 40-yard gain after getting dragged down at the Utah 5-yard line (14-0, 13:59).

Big play Bears: Michael Trigg climbed the ladder for a 27-yard catch in traffic, setting Baylor up in Utah territory (14-0, 14:39).

1ST QUARTER

PICK 6!: Sawyer Robertson wanted his receiver on a rub route but instead found Scooby Davis, who returned the errant pass 65 yards for a touchdown, the first of his career (14-0, 0:11).

Bears catch break: Scooby Davis was flagged for grabbing Ashtyn Hawkins on third-and-3, giving the Bears a new set of downs on the Utah 45-yard line (7-0, 1:13).

Utah touchdown!: Utah sold the run with a jumbo look on third-and-1, and by the time Baylor figured out the play fake it was too late. Devon Dampier found Dallen Bentley wide open for one of the easiest scores of his career, putting the Utes on the scoreboard first with a 25-yard score (7-0, 2:31).

Get off me!: Devon Dampier shrugged off a would-be tackler with a solid stiff arm, picking up 12 yards to move the chains (0-0, 4:13).

Utes move the chains: JJ Buchanan showed off the hands as he stretched out for a 16-yard catch on second-and-15, setting Utah up on its own 46-yard line (0-0, 5:35).

Baylor can't capitalize off its defense: The Bears had to feel pleased with how their defense played early on, but their offense couldn't capitalize off back-to-back punts from the Utes early on. Sawyer Robertson threw three straight incompletions following a couple of solid gains on the ground from Caden Knighten, ending Baylor's drive at its own 35-yard line (0-0, 7:21).

Dampier tosses up risky pass: Bears linebacker Kylan Reed nearly had his first interception of the season after Devon Dampier launched a dangerour ball across his body in the direction of Reed and Dallen Bentley. Reed was able to break up the pass on third-and-11, resulting in Utah's second punt of the game (0-0, 8:50).

Baylor comes up empty: The explosive play from Ashtyn Hawkins didn't lead to any points for Baylor, as Connor Hawkins' 41-yard attempt sailed to the left. Tao Johnson had a nice pass break up while defending Michael Trigg on third-and-11. Utah set up its offense on its own 31-yard line after catching another break (0-0, 9:57).

Bears on the move: Sawyer Robertson dropped one into the bucket of Ashtyn Hawkins to set the Bears up on the Utes' 23-yard line (0-0, 10:57).

Utah punts it back: Baylor's secondary took away Devon Dampier's options on third-and-5, forcing a throw away from his own 30-yard line. The Bears started their next drive at their own 35-yard line following a 19-yard return from Josh Cameron (0-0, 11:45).

Utes catch break: Sawyer Robertson had Michael Trigg open down the sidelines but sailed the pass over the 6-foot-4 tight end, stalling Baylor's after a couple of successful run plays from Bryson Washington. Utah started its first drive on its own 9-yard line (0-0, 13:38).

PREGAME

Coin toss: Baylor won the toss and decided to take the ball first.

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Cole Forsman
COLE FORSMAN

Cole Forsman has been a contributor with On SI for the past three years, covering college athletics. He holds a degree in Journalism and Sports Management from Gonzaga University.

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