Devon Dampier leads Utah to 33-0 shutout over Utah State

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Devon Dampier threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, leading the 17th-ranked Utah Utes to a 33-0 win over in-state rival Utah State on Saturday.

This was all Utes from the start and Dampier put together another solid game under center. His primary target, Braden Pegan, had a season-high 122 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches against his former team. Daniel Bray added 82 yards and a score on the ground. Utah moves on to Big 12 play at 3-0 under Morgan Scalley.

Kevin McGiven's offense was once again on display. Dampier was often playing the role of conductor by distributing the ball where it needed to be at the right times. Utah racked up 480 yards against the Aggies, who the Utes controlled with ease to the tune of 6.5 yards per play.

“I felt very confident with the way our receivers are playing, the play calls being made, the way our offense was blocking,” Dampier said after the game. “I feel like the game is slowing a little bit for me mentally, and I’m just able to make better decisions as I’m out there.”

Utah State suffered a fourth straight loss in the series to their Beehive State foes. The Aggies only have a single win in the Band of Brothers rivalry dating back to the 1998 season.

“We knew this would be a tough game, but I’d like to see more growth and progress than I saw today,” USU coach Bronco Mendenhall said.

Utah State had 188 yards of total offense in the game with just a single rushing first down. Grady Brosterhous threw for 130 yards with an interception for the Aggies.

Utah's defense has shown a lot of strength during the three non-conference games this season. They've allowed 119 total yards on the ground in the past two games. Scalley and his staff should be pleased with the effort thus far. The Utes have racked up nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss in the first 12 quarters of play. They outscored opponents 142-24 in non-conference play.

“We’re pretty tight on coverage,” Scalley said. “You really want to be able to make teams one-dimensional, particularly if you know that’s their strength. Force them into longer-yard situations where they have to throw the ball.”

The Utes scored on four straight first-half drives and took a 26-0 lead into the locker room. They cruised in the second half for the walk-off win.

There was a concerning moment in the first half. Utah State’s leading tackler, Harrison Taggart, was taken in an ambulance to the University of Utah Hospital after taking a knee to the head while making a tackle. Taggart reportedly suffered a neck injury, according to Utah State officials.

Up Next:

Utah opens up Big 12 play at Iowa State on Saturday. This will be the first time the Utes leave Salt Lake City this season (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX).