No. 12 Utah defeated Kansas 41-24 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City to move to a 5-0 start for the season. The victory marks the first time the program has started 5-0 since 2015, and head coach Morgan Scalley has become the first Utah head coach since Jim Fassel in 1985 to start his first full season 5-0.
The Utes offense accumulated 541 total yards, including 258 passing yards and 283 rushing yards. Quarterback Devon Dampier completed 23 of 30 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 71 rushing yards and a touchdown. Dampier has now surpassed 1,000 rushing yards during his two seasons at Utah. Running back Wayshawn Parker contributed 207 all-purpose yards, including a career-long 90-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Parker also recorded a five-yard touchdown run to cap a game-opening drive, marking the fifth consecutive game-opening drive this season that resulted in a Utah touchdown.
Wide receiver Ricky Johnson recorded a career-best 104 receiving yards on five receptions, including a touchdown pass from Dampier. Tight end Noah Bennee caught a six-yard touchdown in the second quarter, his third of the season. The defense held Kansas to a 1-of-6 third-down conversion rate during the first half. Safety Rabbit Evans recorded seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while linebacker Johnathan Hall and cornerback Elijah Davis each recorded two pass breakups. Jackson Bennee contributed a season-high six tackles.
The game featured a 51,467 attendance, representing a sellout and the 99th straight sellout at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Due to forecasts of inclement weather in Salt Lake City, the kickoff was moved from 8:15 p.m. MT to 6 p.m. MT to ensure the game was completed before the weather arrived. Utah's victory extends their winning streak to 11 games, the longest active streak in the Big 12.
Utah has now won four straight games against the Jayhawks and holds a 4-2 all-time record against the school. The Utes have scored 30-plus points in all five of their games this season, a feat not achieved in a first five games since 1994.
