Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week following a performance that included four touchdowns during the No. 3 Utah's 28-20 victory over No. 9 BYU on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. The win at a sold-out Rice-Eccles Stadium moves the Utes to a 9-0 record for the season.
Dampier's Historic Performance
Dampier achieved a rare football "triple double" during the rivalry game, recording double-digit yards in passing, rushing, and receiving. He completed 14-of-26 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, rushed 20 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a 29-yard pass from wide receiver Creed Whittemore.
According to University of Utah Athletics, Dampier is the second FBS player in the last 30 seasons to record multiple passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns, and at least 25 receiving yards in a single game. He is also the first player in Big 12 history to achieve this feat.
Coaching Analysis and Defense
Head coach Morgan Scalley credited the team's second-half performance to increased physicality and defensive takeaways. Scalley noted that while the offense struggled with dropped passes and turnovers in the first half, the team "completely flipped the script" in the second half.
Scalley highlighted key defensive plays, including an interception by James Chenault and another by Lance Holtzclaw that shifted momentum. He also praised the contributions of Nate Ritchie and Trey Reynolds for their interceptions. Despite the win, Scalley noted that special teams remains an area requiring improvement due to a missed field goal and various alignment issues.
Program Milestones
The victory marks Utah's 15th straight win, the longest active winning streak in the FBS. It is also the third time in program history that the Utes have started a season with a 9-0 record.
Coach Scalley has now reached a 10-0 record since taking over the program last year, becoming the first head coach in Utah history to win his first 10 games and the first to start 9-0 in his first full season. The Utes also hold an 11-game winning streak in conference play, which is the longest active streak in the FBS.
Defensive Statistics
Utah's defense has been a cornerstone of their success, allowing only 122 total points this season, an average of 16.3 points per game. The program's passing efficiency defense ranks fifth in the FBS and leads the Big 12 with a 106.28 rating.
In the rivalry game against BYU, the defense recorded multiple interceptions against a top-10 opponent, a feat achieved only three times in the last 30 seasons. The Utes also maintained a significant scoring advantage in the first quarter, outscoring opponents 103-9 this season.
Looking Ahead
The No. 2 Utah team will travel to Tucson to face No. 22 Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff and will be broadcast on FOX.
Arizona enters the matchup with a 7-2 record. Scalley noted that the Wildcats feature a disruptive defense, ranking 10th in the nation for sacks and 13th for tackles for loss.
Season Totals
Dampier's season statistics through Week 10 include 2,053 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns on 172-of-253 completions. He has also accumulated 482 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns on 103 carries.
The quarterback currently ranks sixth among all active Big 12 quarterbacks in career passing yards with 7,836. He also trails only Auburn's Byrum Brown for the FBS lead in career rushing yards by a quarterback, with 2,809 yards.
Recent Dominance
Dampier's performance in the BYU game follows a strong showing against Houston on Oct. 24, where he recorded 204 passing yards and 150 rushing yards. That game made him one of only five Big 12 quarterbacks to rush and pass for 150-plus yards against a ranked opponent.
