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- No. 25 Utah aims to keep rolling offensively vs. Cal Poly</p>
<p>Field Level MediaSeptember 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM</p>
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<p>Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball against UCLA Bruins defensive back Croix Stewart (22) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)</p>
<p>Utah enters its home opener against Cal Poly in Salt Lake City on Saturday with a much more potent offense than a season ago.</p>
<p>The No. 25 Utes (1-0) thrashed UCLA 43-10 at the Rose Bowl last Saturday in a dominating performance, echoing the Utah teams that won back-to-back Pac-12 championships earlier this decade.</p>
<p>New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier shined in his Utes debut, throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-25 passing. He also led the way on the ground with a team-high 87 yards on 16 carries, including a 2-yard score.</p>
<p>With Dampier at the controls, Utah rolled up 492 total yards on offense -- including 286 rushing yards -- and converted 14 of 16 third downs. The Utes scored on all six trips to the red zone and averaged 6.2 yards per play.</p>
<p>"This game was a statement game, for sure," Dampier said following the win. "I think everyone on the team had a good idea of that it was a statement game, and we wanted to show the nation what this team is about and just take care of business."</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, Utah proved stingy. The Utes surrendered 220 total yards to UCLA, including only 84 rushing yards. The Bruins were 2-of-11 on third down and gave up four sacks, including two by John Henry Daley.</p>
<p>"We did a good job controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and that was the biggest difference," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.</p>
<p>Utah also succeeded in utilizing defensive stars Smith Snowden and Lander Barton on both sides of the ball.</p>
<p>With snaps divided equally between defense and offense, Snowden led Utah receivers with 51 yards on six catches. He also ran for 15 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Barton caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dampier in the second quarter to help Utah pull away.</p>
<p>Whittingham said Utah will continue to rely on Snowden and Barton to contribute on multiple offensive plays. The size of their roles will hinge on matchups and personnel packages.</p>
<p>"We plan on using them each and every week," Whittingham said.</p>
<p>FCS member Cal Poly (1-0) faces twin challenges in both stopping the Utes and trying to move the ball offensively.</p>
<p>The Mustangs coasted to a 41-17 road victory in their season opener against San Diego, totaling 469 yards last Saturday. Pittsburgh transfer Ty Dieffenbach threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-27 passing in his Cal Poly debut.</p>
<p>The Mustangs have not had the same level of success against FBS opponents in recent seasons. Cal Poly hasn't beaten an FBS team since edging Wyoming 24-22 in 2012.</p>
<p>Utah hasn't lost to a Big Sky Conference team -- or any other FCS opponent -- since falling to Idaho 28-17 in 1993.</p>
<p>--Field Level Media</p>
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