All Utes

Game recap, analysis: Utah shakes off slow start, beats Wyoming 31-6

Utes battle the Cowboys from War Memorial Stadium
Cole Forsman|
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.
Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Utah Utes

Devon Dampier racked up a combined 300 yards through the air and on the ground, John Henry Daley spearheaded another strong performance on the defensive side of the ball and Utah overcame a sloppy first half to beat Wyoming, 31-6, from Laramie, Wyoming, on Saturday.

Despite out-gaining the Cowboys (2-1) by nearly 200 yards and running 20 more plays from scrimmage, the Utes (3-0) had just 3 points on the scoreboard at halftime due to several miscues, including self-inflicted penalties and three missed field goals.

Utah’s offense came out much sharper in the second half and the defense remained stout against a Wyoming team that didn’t reach the redzone until about the 5-minute mark in the fourth quarter. Henry Daley led the charge for the Utes' defense, recording two sacks, including a strip-sack in the first half, while applying constant pressure on Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson.

Dampier finished with a season-high 230 passing yards and paced Utah with 86 rushing yards on 13 carries, steadying the Utes' offense in the second half with four consecutive scoring drives. He also threw two touchdown passes and completed 27 of his 41 pass attempts.

With the win, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham tied Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy for the fourth-most wins among active coaches (170).

Here is the live updates recap from War Memorial Stadium.

4TH QUARTER RECAP

The cherry on top: Hunter Andrews did it all for the Utes on that drive, capped off by an 11-yard rush from the versatile H-back to extend Utah's lead late in the fourth quarter. Andrews accounted for 36 of Utah's 75 yards on that drive (31-6, 1:11).

Utes look to ice this one from Laramie: A pair of first downs courtesy of some hard running from Hunter Andrews gave the Utes an opportunity to run out the clock following the 2-minute timeout (24-6, 2:00).

Cowboys give ball back to Utes: Utah expected an onside kick try from Wyoming, but Bart Edmiston's kick sailed into the endzone instead, setting Utah up on its own 25-yard line with an 18-point lead (24-6, 4:23).

Wyoming on the board: The Cowboys' best drive of the game was capped off with a 15-yard rush by Terron Kellman on fourth-and-1 to put his team on the board. Kaden Anderson's pass to Jaylen Sargent fell incomplete on the ensuing 2-point conversion (24-6, 4:23).

Wyoming on the move: Samuel Harris took a carry 28 yards to set the Cowboys up on the Utah 41-yard line (24-0, 7:44).

Utah touchdown!: Dampier found freshman JJ Buchanan for his first career touchdown reception, extending Utah's lead courtesy of the interception from Bennee (24-0, 8:35).

Jackson Bennee interception!: Utah pressured Kaden Anderson on third-and-16 and forced an errant pass, which was intercepted by Jackson Bennee, who returned it 57 yards to set up Utah's offense inside Wyoming's 20-yard line (17-0, 9:58).

Wyoming converts on fourth down: Samuel Harris picked up a much-needed first down for the Cowboys on fourth-and-2 with a 3-yard reception, moving Wyoming up to Utah's 37-yard line after Johnathan Hall made the tackle (17-0, 11:32).

3RD QUARTER RECAP

Dampier snaps Wyoming's passing streak: The Cowboys hadn't allowed over 200 yards through the air in their previous six games dating back to last season — the longest active such streak in the FBS — until Dampier crossed the 200-yard threshold during the Utes' 18-play scoring drive. Wyoming's streak actually began against Dampier last season, when it held him to 164 passing yards in a 49-45 shootout against his Lobos (Dampier had a conference-record 207 yards on the ground).

Utes touchdown!: Dampier lost the ball but recovered his own fumble before delivering a strike to Southern Miss transfer Larry Simmons for a score, extending Utah's lead in dramatic fashion and capping off a 19-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Utah overcame three holding penalties and converted on third-and-21 during that drive (17-0, 0:23).

Utes convert on third-and-long: Utah needed 21 yards and got 22 from Dallen Bentley, who caught a pass at the Wyoming 29-yard line and ran six more yards to the 23-yard line to move the chains on third-and-21 (10-0, 1:53).

Ryan Davis moves the chains: After a penalty from Spencer Fano erased a 12-yard gain from Wayshawn Parker, Dampier found Ryan Davis for a 15-yard catch-and-run to move the chains on second-and-15. That improved Davis' stat line to eight catches for 80 yards (10-0, 3:57).

Utah getting creative on offense: The Utes subbed in 317-pound freshman defensive tackle Semi Taulanga to create a running lane for Wayshawn Parker, helping the Utes move the chains on second-and-4 (10-0, 7:19).

Wyoming punts back to Utah: Cowboys had some momentum going following a 13-yard reception for Chris Durr on third-and-5, but couldn't move the chains a few plays later on third-and-10 and had to give the ball back to the Utes. Bart Edmiston's punt went into the endzone, putting Utah on its own 20-yard line (10-0, 7:46).

Utes bulldoze their way into the endzone!: NaQuari Rogers followed his blockers and plowed his way into the endzone on third-and-goal, putting the Utes up by 10 following a good point after attempt from Dillon Curtis. That capped off a 9-play, 83-yard scoring drive featuring two chunk plays (Utes had three chunk plays in the entire first half) (10-0, 10:49).

Near house-call for Dampier: Utah's signal-caller kept it himself on third-and-7 and gained 23 yards to set the Utes up on the Cowboys' 2-yard line (3-0, 12:29).

Chunk play for Utes: Dampier rifled a pass to Tobias Merriweather at the Wyoming 32-yard line, moving the chains following the 15-yard gain (3-0, 13:44).

Utes start half with solid gain: H-back Hunter Andrews gained 14 yards on the first play from scrimmage to move the Utes up to their own 31-yard line (3-0, 14:54).

HALFTIME RECAP

Utes get in their own way: Despite running 20 more plays and totaling 194 more yards on offense than the Cowboys, the Utes held just a 3-point advantage on the scoreboard due in large part to self-inflicted miscues. Utah missed three field goals, committed six penalties and fumbled in the redzone to keep Wyoming within striking distance throughout the first half.

John Henry Daley having a game: Utah's defensive end had five tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble on Wyoming's quarterback, in the first half. The Utes held the Cowboys to just 78 total yards of offense and 1-for-6 on third downs.

Utes' ground game finds success: For all their miscues in the first half, Utah found success on the ground against a Wyoming defense that hadn't allowed over 100 yards rushing in either of its first two games of the season. The Utes tallied 155 rushing yards on 23 attempts (6.7 per carry), including two chunk plays of 23 and 16 yards from NaQuari Rogers and Wayshawn Parker, respectively. Dampier added 49 rushing yards on nine attempts while going 14-of-25 (56%) for 112 yards through the air.

2ND QUARTER RECAP

Wyoming blocks Utah field goal: Dillon Curtis' struggles continued heading into the half, as one of Wyoming's defenders got a hand on his 46-yard field goal attempt to keep the game at 3-0 at the break.

Wyoming bails Utah out on third-and-long: The Cowboys seemingly had Dampier bottled up on third-and-20 until a deep shot from Utah's signal-caller to Dallen Bentley resulted in a pass interference call against Wyoming's Jones Thomas (3-0, 0:57).

Another penalty wipes off big gain: Rayshawn Glover nearly housed a 59-yard punt from the Cowboys, bringing it all the way to Wyoming's 10-yard line before the officials called a holding penalty against the Utes. Utah began its drive on its own 45-yard line (3-0, 1:28).

Cowboys can't capitalize off turnover: Utah's defense didn't let the Cowboys out of their own 10-yard line, as Chris Durr was brought down just a yard short of the first down on third-and-6. Jay Sawvel appeared to want a video review after Durr seemingly rolled over the Utes' defender while trying to pick up the first down, but his request wasn't fulfilled and Wyoming punted (3-0, 1:53).

Utah gives it right back: Utah was marching into Wyoming's redzone following the defensive play from John Henry Daley, only for Nate Johnson to fumble on the Cowboys' 7-yard line and give the ball right back to Wyoming. The Utes continued to get their own way as the Cowboys looked to put up points before the halftime break. That was also Utah's first turnover of the 2025 season (3-0, 2:08).

Ball!: John Henry Daley continued to wreak havoc, hitting Kaden Anderson and forcing a fumble to set the Utes up in enemy territory late in the first half (3-0, 3:19).

Chunk play for Wyoming: The Cowboys started their ensuing drive with a 33-yard reception for running back Samuel Harris, setting Wyoming up on the Utes' 47-yard line (3-0, 4:02).

Dampier stopped on third-and-short: Dampier opted to keep it instead of handing it off to Smith Snowden on the sweep, though the Cowboys were ready for Utah's quarterback and prevented him from moving the chains on third-and-3. The Utes' Phillip Orion put the Cowboys on their own 21-yard line with a 44-yard punt on fourth down (3-0, 4:49).

Wyoming three-and-out: Kaden Anderson couldn't connect with Brice Bantley on third-and-2. Wyoming punted after just three plays, setting the Utes up on their own 23-yard line (3-0, 6:44).

Rabbit Evans update: CBS Sports reported that it's unlikely Rabbit Evans returns to the game any time soon.

A second missed field goal for Utes: Dillon Curtis doinked a 45-yard attempt off the left post after Dampier gained 13 yards through the air on third-and-20 to set up fourth-and-7 from the Wyoming 27-yard line (3-0, 7:52).

Holding wipes out big gain: A holding penalty on Utah's Solatoa Moea'I erased a 16-yard gain from Smith Snowden, moving the Utes back to the Cowboys' 40-yard line (3-0, 9:19).

Utes keep drive alive: NaQuari Rogers picked up just enough on fourth-and-1 to keep Utah's drive alive (3-0, 10:02).

Utes keep offense on field: Dampier picked up nine yards on a keeper on third-and-10, but the Utes didn't trot out the field goal unit on fourth-and-1 from the Cowboys' 32-yard line. Wyoming called timeout ahead of a pivotal fourth down (3-0, 10:34).

Wayshawn Parker shows off hops: Utah's tailback hurdled a Wyoming defender during a 16-yard rush to put the Utes on their own 46-yard line (3-0, 12:05).

Utes dig out of danger zone: A 12-yard reception for Dallen Bentley moved the chains on third-and-4 and got the Utes out from deep in their own territory (3-0, 13:16).

A beautiful punt from Wyoming sets Utes up deep: Wyoming's Bart Edmiston, with the help of his coverage team, pinned the Utes on their own 1-yard line with a 45-yard punt (3-0, 14:16).

Wyoming cant' convert on third down: The usually sure-handed John Michael Gyllenborg couldn't hold onto what would've been a first down for the Cowboys on third down, bringing Wyoming's punt team on the field once again (3-0, 14:31).

Utah injury: Following a near-interception for Smith Snowden on a deep shot from the Cowboys, Utah defensive back Rabbit Evans was down and being attended to by the team's medical staff. Evans had to be taken off the field via the medical cart (3-0, 14:30).

Rabbit Evans sighting: Utah's senior defensive back who missed the first two games of the season entered the game for the Utes at the start of the second quarter.

1ST QUARTER RECAP

Cowboys move the chains: Kaden Anderson found Jaylen Bean on a curl route for 11 yards on third-and-9. Wyoming running back Terron Kellman followed that up with an 11-yard rush on first down to set his team up in Utah territory as the first quarter came to an end (3-0, 0:15).

Utes miss field goal: Dillon Curtis' second attempt of the afternoon from 45 yards out was no good, setting up the Cowboys from their own 27-yard line (3-0, 1:41).

Dampier stuffed on third down: Utes trotted out the field goal unit after Dampier only got a yard on third-and-5 (3-0, 2:16).

Utah into Wyoming territory: A 23-yard rush from NaQuari Rogers set the Utes up with a first down on the Cowboys' 33-yard line (3-0, 3:34).

Wyoming punts after reaching red zone: After the sack by Daley pushed the Cowboys back to the Utes' 36-yard line, Wyoming took a delay of game penalty on fourth down and wound up punting the ball to the Utes just moments after reaching the redzone. Utah began its next drive on its own 13-yard line (3-0, 6:12).

Mayor of Sack Lake City strikes again: John Henry Daley made a nice spin move on Wyoming left tackle Nathan Geiger and brought down Kaden Anderson for a loss of 15 on third-and-10. Utah's sacks leader increased his total to 4.0 on the season (3-0, 7:07)

Questionable pass interference on Utes: Smith Snowden was called for pass interference while defending a pass intended for Chris Durr, moving the Cowboys up to Utah's 45-yard line (3-0, 9:27).

Utah on the board: Dillon Curtis drilled a 43-yard field goal to put the Utes on the board first after Dampier misfired on a pass intended for JJ Buchanan on third-and-7. (3-0, 10:22).

Utah on the move: Dampier connected with his former New Mexico receiver Ryan Davis for a 24-yard gain, putting the Utes on the Cowboys 28-yard line (12:06, 0-0).

Cowboys three-and-out: Wyoming had to punt after its first three plays from scrimmage. Utah started its first drive from its own 27-yard line following a 47-yard punt.

PREGAME

Coin toss: The Utes won the toss and elected to defer, giving the Cowboys the ball to start their Week 3 matchup.

Utah Mili: Defensive captain Logan Fano leads the Utes in their pregame ritual. The Utah Mili takes inspiration from a war chant that South Pacific warriors used to prepare for war, letting their enemy know that they are ready for battle.

Utes take the field for warm-ups: Sporting black helmets with the "drum and feather" logo, the Utes have taken the field for pregame warm-ups.

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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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