By Garin Turner
The Utah Utes left no doubt in their Big 12 home matchup Saturday, jumping out to a commanding halftime lead and rolling past West Virginia 48-14. The victory lifts Utah to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Mountaineers drop to 2-3 and 0-2.
How It Happened
Quarterback Devon Dampier set the tone early, accounting for all four of Utah’s first-half touchdowns. He threw three scores and added another on the ground as the Utes built a 28-0 advantage at the break.
The defense was equally dominant, holding West Virginia to just 90 total yards in the first half, including a meager 22 yards through the air.
Dampier opened the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown strike to JJ Buchanan, then added a 7-yard rushing score to close the first quarter. In the second, he connected on a 32-yard touchdown to Ryan Davis before finding Dallen Bentley from two yards out with 13 seconds left in the half.
Utah added to its lead in the third quarter when Dampier threw his fourth touchdown of the day, an 11-yard pass to Wayshawn Parker. The Utes tacked on two field goals and closed the scoring in the fourth when backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin hit Bryce Duke for a two-yard touchdown.
Team Leaders
• Passing: Devon Dampier — 21 of 26, 237 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
• Rushing: Wayshawn Parker — 9 carries, 66 yards
• Receiving: Ryan Davis — 7 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD
What’s Next
Utah will look to keep the momentum rolling when the Utes host Arizona State on October 11 in another Big 12 showdown.
