Devon Dampier Leads Utah to Victory Over Undermanned Arizona State

In an impressive display of athleticism, Devon Dampier led the Utah Utes to a commanding 42-10 victory over the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday night. Dampier, who had previously dealt with lower leg injuries, showcased his skills after returning from a bye week, rushing for 120 yards and three touchdowns.

Historic Performance by Dampier

With this performance, Dampier became the first Utah quarterback to rush for over 100 yards since Travis Wilson accomplished the feat against Oregon in 2015. Despite severe thunderstorms affecting the field conditions, Dampier dodged defenders effectively on just 10 carries.

Scoring Summary

• Dampier scored touchdowns in the first half from 12 and 24 yards.
• He added a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
• Overall, Dampier completed 7 of 12 passes for 104 yards.

Utah (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) demonstrated a powerful rushing offense, accumulating 276 total rushing yards. This marked the highest single-game rushing total since their 52-7 victory over Stanford in 2021. Their offensive strategy limited the need for passing plays, allowing them to control the game.

Challenges for Arizona State

Arizona State’s starting quarterback, Sam Leavitt, missed the game due to a right foot injury. Jeff Sims, a sixth-year senior and experienced backup, stepped in but struggled, completing 18 of 38 passes for 124 yards.

Defensive Highlights

Notably, Utah’s John Henry Daley, already among the nation’s leaders in sacks, contributed 1.5 sacks to his season total, helping to keep ASU’s offense in check. Despite Arizona State’s impressive season record of enforcing 19 sacks, they failed to pressure the elusive Dampier.

Key Game Statistics

Final Thoughts

Utah’s victory over an undermanned Arizona State highlights Devon Dampier’s potential as a key player in the remainder of the season. With this performance, Utah solidifies its competitive stance in the Big 12 as they strive to build on this success.