No. 10 Utah secured a 21-13 victory over No. 14 Houston in Salt Lake City, marking the Utes' first ranked win of the season. The win, achieved at a sellout Rice-Eccles Stadium, moves Utah to a 7-0 record for the ninth time in program history.
Quarterback Devon Dampier contributed significantly to the victory, completing 18-of-26 passes for 204 yards. Dampier also added 150 rushing yards on 15 carries, including a 22-yard touchdown run that provided Utah's first score of the game. His 150 rushing yards bring his two-season total to 1,183, trailing only Travis Wilson for the most by a quarterback in recorded program history.
Offensively, running back Wayshawn Parker recorded 93 scrimmage yards, including 46 receiving and 47 rushing. Tight end Noah Bennee set a season-best with five receptions for 42 yards, while wide receiver Creed Whittemore tied a season-high with four catches for 53 yards.
The Utah defense held Houston to 86 rushing yards, a notable reduction from the Cougars' average of 220.3 yards per game. Safety Jackson Bennee recorded a season-best nine tackles, including a strip-sack that resulted in his first career solo sack and first career forced fumble.
Other defensive highlights included a pass breakup in the end zone by cornerback James Chenault Jr. and seven tackles from linebacker Cyrus Polu, which set a career-high for the player.
The victory marks the 100th consecutive sellout at Rice-Eccles Stadium. This streak includes every game with fans in attendance since the 2010 season opener against Pittsburgh, excluding the 2020 season due to pandemic-related restrictions.
With this win, Utah has extended its winning streak to 13 games, the longest active streak in the FBS. Head coach Morgan Scalley becomes the first Utah head coach to win his first eight games at the helm and the first to start a full season with a 7-0 record.
Utah's win over Houston was their third victory against a ranked opponent in their last four games. The Utes remain undefeated at 7-0, joining UCLA and No. 1 ranked Miami as the only remaining undefeated teams in the FBS.
