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Recap, analysis: Utah keeps postseason aspirations alive with crazy comeback win over Kansas State

Utes rally from down 12 points in the fourth quarter to beat Wildcats in pivotal Big 12 clash at Rice-Eccles Stadium
Cole Forsman|
Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) celebrates a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) celebrates a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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Utah watched its Big 12 title game and College Football Playoff hopes slowly fade away as it got gashed on the ground all day by Joe Jackson and an upset-minded Kansas State squad.

Just when it seemed like the Utes' postseason aspirations had died out for good, Devon Dampier and the Utah defense shocked them back to life with an unforgettable fourth quarter rally.

Despite allowing 472 rushing yards — the most in program history — the Utes (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) made just enough big plays down the stretch to give Dampier and company just enough time to complete a 12-point comeback and pull out a 51-47 victory over the Wildcats (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) in a crazy back-and-forth affair from Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Kansas State, fueled by a program-best 292 rushing yards from Jackson, went ahead 47-35 with just over 7 minutes remaining after the third-year back scored his third touchdown of the day to capitalize off a fumble from Dampier.

The Wildcats sought to go up by 14 but Tao Johnson flipped the script with a crucial interception on the 2-point try, making it a 10-point game instead. Utah trimmed its deficit to three courtesy of a 12-play scoring drive, which included two big catches from Larry Simmons on third-and-22 and on the touchdown score that made it 47-44 with 2:47 remaining.

After Utah's defense forced a three-and-out, Dampier carried the Utes to the promise land with a 59-yard run on fourth-and-1, setting up a 1-yard score from the junior quarterback with under a 1 minute remaining.

Lander Barton stepped in front of a pass from Avery Johnson on Kansas State's ensuing possession, icing the game and keeping the Utes' conference championship eligibility intact.

Utah got big plays from both its quarterbacks in the Week 13 shootout. True freshman Byrd Ficklin played a pivotal role early on with 3 rushing touchdowns, while Dampier shook off a rough start to finish with 4 total touchdowns on 18-of-33 through the air and 259 passing yards.

With the win, Utah would need Arizona State to beat Colorado and Cincinnati to knock off BYU if the Utes were to have a chance to clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game going into their regular season finale at Kansas (Friday, 10 a.m. MT on ESPN).

Here is the live updates recap.

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4TH QUARTER

Touchdown Utes!: Devon Dampier put the Utes back in front with less than 1 minute remaining, keeping the Utes' Big 12 and College Football Playoff hopes alive (51-47, 0:54).

Dampier's loose!: Devon Dampier broke off a 59-yard run on fourth down to set the Utes up inside the Wildcats' 5-yard line. Dampier came up just shy of scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a similar quarterback draw on second and goal. (47-44, 0:56).

Utah faces fourth down: Wayshawn Parker was tripped up on third-and-4, setting up a fourth-and-1 situation for the Utes from their own 39-yard line (47-44, 2:00).

Kansas State three-and-out: Smith Snowden gave the Utes offense a chance to take the field after making a big tackle on Jaron Tibbs, preventing Kansas State from converting on third-and-9. Utah started its next drive on its own 40-yard line with one timeout (47-44, 2:25).

Utah touchdown!: Larry Simmons came up big on third-and-22, helping set up a fourth down conversion the ensuing play before hauling in a clutch 20-yard touchdown to make it a 3-point game. It was a bittersweet drive for Utah, though, as All-American tackle Spencer Fano had to be helped to the medical tent after the fourth down conversion (47-44, 2:47).

Utes move chains off Wildcats miscue: Wayshawn Parker was stuffed on fourth-and-1 but the Wildcats couldn't get their substitutions off the field in time, resulting in a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the Utes. Utah set up on the Kansas State 32-yard line with just under 4 minutes remaining (47-37, 3:46).

Wildcats capitalize off Utah turnover: Devon Dampier fumbled while trying to pick up a first down, and Kansas State took advantage moments later with its fifth rushing touchdown of the day, as Joe Jackson scored from 24 yards out to make it a double-digit margin with 7 minutes remaining. Tao Johnson prevented any further damage on the Wildcats' 2-point try with an interception returned for a 2-point score (47-37, 7:00).

Wildcats extend lead: Utah showed some resolve against Kansas State's ground game, holding the Wildcats to 3 points after Avery Johnson's pass to the end zone for Jaron Tibbs was broken up by Blake Cotton. Luis Rodriguez drilled a 36-yard field goal on fourth-and-5 (41-35, 8:56).

Kansas State converts on fourth down: Utah stopped Joe Jackson from moving the chains on third down but couldn't stop him from picking up a first down on fourth-and-1. Kansas State advanced into the red zone a couple plays later and crossed 440 rushing yards on the day, the most allowed in the history of Utah football (38-35, 9:04).

3RD QUARTER

Kansas State touchdown on fourth down: Wildcats went back in front after a 14-play, 79-scoring drive that was capped off by an easy pitch-and-catch between Avery Johnson and Garrett Oakley. With that, Johnson recorded passing touchdown No. 48 of his career, tying Will Howard for the most passing touchdowns in school history (38-35, 1:39).

A hat trick for Byrd Ficklin!: The true freshman simply wouldn't be denied in the red zone, as he bounced off a few would-be tacklers for his third rushing touchdown of the game. (35-31, 10:03).

Touchdown Utah!: The Utes came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half, needing just four plays to make it a 3-point game after some solid running from Wayshawn Paker helped set up a 38-yard touchdown score from Dallen Bentley (31-28, 13:49).

HALFTIME RECAP

Kansas State 31, Utah 21

Utes can't stop run game: An inexplicable first half from the Utes defense saw the Wildcats rack up 348 yards on the ground, including five runs of 30-plus yards, and average 18 yards a pop. Joe Jackson accounted for 236 of those yards, as the third-year tailback set a new career-high while recording the most rushing yards by an individual player this season, per ESPN. Jackson had crossed the 100-yard threshold just once in 22 career games prior to Saturday.

What's up with Devon Dampier?: It looked as if Devon Dampier's nagging injury impacted the junior's ability to drive the ball down the field in the first half. Dampier missed a couple of open receivers while starting 8-of-18 through the air for 123 passing yards. He was checked for a concussion after taking a hard hit in the second quarter.

2ND QUARTER

Utes can't respond: Utah got near midfield but had to punt it back to Kansas State after Devon Dampier was brought down behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-4. Wildcats had 22 seconds to add to their lead (31-21, 0:22).

Touchdown Kansas State: Rice-Eccles Stadium was left in shock and dismay as Joe Jackson ripped off an 80-yard run on the first play of Kansas State's drive, extending the Wildcats' lead and bringing their total to 341 rushing yards on the afternoon (31-21, 1:17).

Utes punt it despite solid drive: Utah nickeled and dimed its way into the Kansas State 30-yard line, but a 15-yard offensive pass interference penalty pushed the Utes out of field goal range. The punt team came on after an incompletion on third-and-22 (24-21, 1:38).

John Henry Daley returns in boot: It appeared Utah's leading pass rusher was done for the day as he returned to the sidelines in a boot.

Utes bend but don't break: Back-to-back incompletions inside the red zone line stalled the Wildcats' drive at the 12-yard line (24-21, 4:32).

Wildcats continue to gash Utes: Avery Johnson scrambled up the middle and found day light, ripping off a 58-yard run to set the Wildcats up on the Utes' 7-yard line after getting shoved out of bounds by Tao Johnson (21-21, 5:54).

Touchdown Utes!: Devon Dampier capped off an impressive drive with a 8-yard rushing touchdown, dragging Kansas State safety VJ Payne into the end zone as he tied things up at 21. (21-21, 6:51).

Big play Utes: Devon Dampier didn't stop letting it rip despite a slow start throwing the ball, as the junior connected on a deep ball for JJ Buchanan on third-and-9. Utes advanced to the Wildcats' 14-yard line (21-14, 8:17).

Kansas State responds: Utah put eight defenders in the box as Kansas State lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1, but it didn't matter to Joe Jackson as the Wildcats back went right up the middle for a 66-yard touchdown, putting the visiting team back in front. That rush brought Kansas State's total to 196 yards on 14 carries. (21-14, 9:07).

Byrd's still the word!: The freshman quarterback scored his fourth rushing touchdown in the span of five quarters with a 6-yard run on first down, tying the game at 14 apiece (14-14, 11:11).

Dampier misses on easy touchdown: Utah's quarterback had JJ Buchanan coming across the field wide open but couldn't connect with the freshman while taking a hard hit on a corner blitz from the Wildcats. Utah converted a third-and-4 on the ensuing play, setting the Utes up on on the Wildcats 18-yard line (14-7, 11:56).

Nate Johnson gives Utes a boost: Amid a shaky start from Devon Dampier, former quarterback Nate Johnson picked up the slack with runs of 11, 10 and 9 yards, advancing the Utes into Kansas State territory. Dampier was 3-of-7 to start (14-7, 12:27).

Touchdown Wildcats: Avery Johnson scored his eighth rushing touchdown of the season on a read option play from 4 yards out, putting the Wildcats back in front (14-7, 14:54).

1ST QUARTER

Kansas State touchdown... not!: It looked like the Wildcats had retaken the lead on a 6-yard passing touchdown from Avery Johnson, but offensive lineman Andrew Leingang was flagged for ineligble receiver downfield (7-7, 0:47).

Utes defense takes big blow: John Henry Daley had to get helped off the field after coming up limp on a third down conversion for the Wildcats. Utah's leader in sacks was dominate early on, recording 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in less than a full quarter of action (7-7, 2:31).

Utah touchdown!: Utah took advantage of four penalties from the Wildcats to tie things up late in the first quarter, as Byrd Ficklin scored on a 10-yard rush after a facemask penalty put the Utes on the Kansas State 10-yard line (7-7, 4:48).

Utes bailed out twice: A few uncharacteristic missteps from Kansas State on three consecutive third downs kept the Utes offense on the field. The Wildcats entered the game committing the fourth fewest penalties per game (3.5) but managed to give up 35 yards on a pass interference, offsides and personal foul on a late hit on Devon Dampier, the latter of which resulted in an ejection of Wildcats linebacker Ryan Davis and a first down for the Utes on the opponent's 23-yard line (7-0, 5:08).

Kansas State touchdown: The Utes simply couldn't bring down Wildcats back Antonio Martin Jr., who plowed his way up the middle, broke off a few would-be tacklers and navigated his way to the end zone for the game's first score. Utah's rush defense looked less than sharp on Kansas State's second drive, allowing 79 yards on just three attempts (7-0, 8:29).

Wildcats on the move: Joe Jackson bursted right up the middle and made a few tacklers miss along the way, picking up 44 yards on the ground and advancing to the Utah 30-yard line (0-0, 10:19).

Utes punt it back: Utah got into Kansas State territory but couldn't put points on the board after the Wildcats pushed the Utes behind the chains, forcing a punt on fourth-and-8 following a 7 yard run from Devon Dampier on third-and-15. Orion Phillips punted to the Kansas State 15-yard line (0-0, 11:47).

Wildcats three-and-out: A negative run on first down, a dropped pass on second and an intentional grounding penalty on third-and-11 brought a swift end to Kansas State's first offensive possession of the afternoon. Simon McClannan punted 41 yards to the Utah 43-yard line (0-0, 14:05).

Kansas State starts on offense: The Wildcats won the coin toss and elected to receive, putting the Utes defense on the field to start.

PREGAME

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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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