The University of Utah football team moved to 6-0 on the season following a hard-fought 27-24 victory over Colorado at Folsom Field on Oct. 17, 2026. The Utes overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half to defeat the Buffaloes in Boulder, Colorado, in front of an audience of 52,489 fans.
Utah's Early Lead and Colorado Response
Utah's offense relied heavily on quarterback Devon Dampier, who completed 278 passing yards during the contest. Dampier orchestrated several key scoring drives, including an opening touchdown drive that spanned 75 yards and concluded with an 8-yard pass to Hunter Andrews on the 09:39 mark of the first quarter.
While the Utes controlled the early stages of the game, they faced a significant challenge from the Colorado offense in the third quarter. The Buffaloes scored 17 points in that period alone, sparked by a 68-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Wilson to JaQuail Smith. This scoring surge, which also included an 18-yard touchdown run by DeKalon Taylor, briefly shifted the momentum in favor of Colorado.
Late Scoring and Final Result
The momentum shifted back to the Utes in the fourth quarter as they reclaimed control of the scoreboard. Braden Pegan caught two touchdown passes from Dampier—one for 16 yards in the third quarter and another for 6 yards in the fourth quarter—to help secure the win. The final touchdown drive by Utah in the fourth quarter was a 22-yard effort that occurred with 03:43 remaining in the game.
Colorado's final attempt to equalize came late in the fourth quarter. With 01:21 left on the clock, Isaac Wilson threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr., bringing the Buffaloes within three points. Despite the late surge, Utah's defense held to secure the 27-24 victory, leaving Colorado with a 0-3 record in Big 12 play.
Statistical Breakdown of the Matchup
Statistical analysis of the game shows a highly competitive matchup in several categories. Utah recorded 278 passing yards compared to Colorado's 256. On the ground, Utah's Wayshawn Parker contributed 98 rushing yards, while Colorado's JaQuail Smith accounted for 73 rushing yards.
Total team statistics recorded by the University of Utah show the Utes gained 409 total yards on 80 plays, while Colorado gained 394 yards on 55 plays. Utah's efficiency in third-down conversions was 8-for-17, whereas Colorado converted 4-of-10 third-down opportunities. The game was marked by several penalties, with Utah committing 7 penalties for 61 yards and Colorado committing 10 penalties for 93 yards.
Looking Ahead
The victory at Folsom Field keeps Utah's undefeated streak intact as they prepare for their next matchup. The Utes are scheduled to face Houston on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8:15 p.m.
Colorado will look to bounce back from their second loss of the season as they continue their pursuit of conference standing. The Buffaloes currently hold a 2-4 record following the loss in Boulder.
Game Officials
The game was officiated by referee Kevin Boitmann, with Tracy Lynch serving as the line judge. Other officials included side judge Eric Hartman, umpire Sheldon Davis, center judge Dan Scanlan, linesman Eric Carmouche, and field judge Lark Jones.
