SALT LAKE CITY — Dark clouds gradually rolled over the Wasatch Range on Saturday night as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla swept through northern Utah, bringing heavy rain to Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Despite the weather, the Utah Utes quickly secured a 42-10 win against Arizona State in frigid temperatures.
The Utes, led by junior quarterback Devon Dampier, made their presence known on the ground, rushing for a team total of 276 yards.
Junior defensive lineman C.J. Fite and company were at the forefront of the Utes’ six rushing scores.
“They got us physicality wise,” Fite said. “They outphysical-ed us. We weren’t making tackles. Thinking too much. Once you start doing all that, it just throws you off your game. They got us tonight, so we just got to go back to the drawing board.”
In front of the fans who stuck out the inclement weather, they gave them something to cheer for early on with an opening drive touchdown and Utah streaking out to a 7-0 lead.
With the loss, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham and his squad now move to 4-2 (2-1 in Big 12) on the season.
“They did some really good things, and they beat us as a whole program,” the third-year coach said. “They beat us top to bottom. The best part about football is it’s only worth one, they don’t add up the scores at the end of the year.”
In the second quarter, Utah pushed the game to 14-3 with Dampier using his legs again to tack onto the Utes’ advantage.
The possession after, the Sun Devils drove down the field, settling for a field goal, only for it to be blocked. Utah then sped down the field, and senior running back NaQuari Rogers scored to make it 21-3.
“That was a turning point,” Dillingham said. “We’re about to go down eight, we’re about to kick the ball off, one score game. If we do that, hopefully get a stop. Maybe not, even if we don’t, we’re only down two possessions going into the half. That really flipped everything.”
With all this, the Sun Devils were without sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt, after he was moved to doubtful on the injury report on Thursday, Oct. 9, and officially ruled out later that night.
Dillingham said it remains a week-to-week situation, and he will be evaluated early next week.
In Leavitt’s absence, senior quarterback Jeff Sims made his season debut and ended with 176 total yards.
“I thought he played pretty well,” Dillingham said. “He extended plays, extended some third downs, and some fourth downs for first downs. Early in the game, it was rainy, so it’s just hard to judge throwing in 15, 20 mph winds and rain.”
The second half saw Utah continue its first-half success with another touchdown from Rogers on the ground, extending the margin to 28-3.
The Maroon and Gold also lost some players due to injury, with senior center Ben Coleman highlighting that bunch.
“We lost Ben [Coleman],” Dillingham said. “I think we’re gonna lose two or three guys for an extended period of time from that game. We’re fortunate for those guys. We’ll see how it checks out.”
Junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson scored the lone touchdown of the night for ASU off a jet sweep. The standout 2026 NFL Draft prospect had 16 targets on the night, but only eclipsed 40 yards off eight receptions.
Utah sealed the deal with two more touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, finishing the night with 42 points, the most ASU’s defense has given up this season.
“It is what it is,” Fite said. “Get back to the process. Practice harder. The more physical practices, the more physical games.”
ASU returns to Tempe, Arizona, next week to take on the No. 9 Texas Tech Red Raiders for a 1:00 p.m. AZT kickoff.
“Probably a top five team in the country in Texas Tech,” Dillingham said. “Texas Tech played this team and won. That tells what they’re like on both sides of the ball.”
Leave a Reply