Know Wyoming’s Foe: No. 20 Utah Utes

LARAMIE -- The numbers are downright terrifying.

On 17 offensive drives through Utah's first two games -- blowout victories over UCLA and Cal Poly -- the offense has put the ball in the end zone 14 times. For good measure, safety Jackson Bennee returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown in last Saturday's 63-9 rout of the Mustangs inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.

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It's the 22nd straight season the Utes have registered a pick-six. You may have guessed, that's an NCAA record.

We're just getting warmed up, too.

The Utes, now the 20th-ranked team in the country, have scored on all 11 trips inside the red zone this fall. Not just points, touchdowns. This is the No. 1 offense in the land when it comes to third-down opportunities (23-of-30).

They've punted just five times. One of those was no doubt a mercy boot, camped out at Cal Poly's 36-yard line and "clinging" to a 21-6 lead.

"I don't think we hit a rhythm and a grove on offense as well as we did the week before," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said Monday during his weekly press conference, adding that unit had eight "chunk plays" of 15 yards or more. "That was evident by the punting."

Yikes.

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Transfer quarterback Devon Dampier has picked up right where he left off. And he brought his offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, and favorite downfield target, Ryan Davis, with him.

The junior from Phoenix has the second-best completion percentage in the FBS (79.2%) and already has five touchdown passes under his belt. Wyoming fans are all-too familiar with the former New Mexico signal caller. He gashed the Pokes to the tune of 207 yards on the ground last November in Albuquerque. That damage was done on just a dozen attempts. He also scored three times -- from 18, 40 and 85 yards, respectively -- in that 49-45 heartbreaker.

Yes, the Lobos managed to lose that one. A costly Dampier pick-six into the arms of nickel back Wrook Brown sparked the Cowboy comeback.

Dampier is back at it again in 2025. He already has 112 rushing yards and a touchdown scamper on 20 carries.

Running back Wayshawn Parker already has that many yards on the ground, too. The 206-pound Washington State transfer has also crossed the white stripe three times, something he failed to do against Wyoming in the '24 season finale in Pullman. He carried the ball 14 times for 45 yards in the upset.

Despite that, the page has turned and it's all undeniably impressive what's going down in Salt Lake City:

* 53 points a game (Tied for 8th in FBS)

* 505 yards per game (22nd)

* 2-of-2 on fourth down (Tied for 1st)

* 279.5 yards rushing per game (8th)

* 34 minutes average time of possession (16th)

* 0 turnovers

And that's just the offense.

Where does this Cowboy defense even begin?

"I think the biggest thing with us right now is making sure that we keep the ball inside and in front of us," defensive ends coach Brian Hendricks said Monday, adding the focus this week is simple: Worry about doing your job. "We need to limit the explosive plays, because that's something they've done a really good job of. Whether it's the deep ball or No. 4 creating stuff with his feet, we've got to do a good job at all three levels.

"... Looking at them on tape, they're very well-coached, they execute, and we're going to have to have a really good week of practice to make sure we minimize some of that."

Easier said than done.

Meet the Utes:

* Head coach: Kyle Whittingham (21st year) 169-86 overall record, 102-67 in conference (Mountain West, Pac-12, Big XII) play

* Offensive coordinator: Jason Beck (1st season); Defensive coordinator: Morgan Scalley (18th year)

* Record in 2024: 5-7 overall, 2-7 in Big XII Conference

* Offense in 2025: Average 53 ppg, 505 ypg (279.5 rush, 225.5 pass)

* Defense in 2025: Allow 9.5 ppg, 221.5 ypg (74.5 rush, 147 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense in 2025: Devon Dampier (QB - 38-48, 398 yds, 5 TD; 20 rush, 112 yds, TD), Wayshawn Parker (RB - 17 rush, 112 yds, 2 TD; 1 catch, 52 yds, TD), NaQuari Rogers (RB - 23 rush, 92 yds, 3 TD), Ryan Davis (WR - 9 catch, 80 yds, TD), Tobias Merriweather (WR - 4 catch, 73 yds), Dallen Bentley (TE - 7 catch, 466 yds, 2 TD); Smith Snowden (WR/ CB - 9 catch, 49 yds), Lander Barton (TE/LB - 2 catch, 22 yds, TD)

* Key Returners - Defense in 2025: Jackson Bennee (S - 10 tackles, 3 PBU, INT, TD), Lander Barton (LB - 8 tackles), Tao Johnson (S - 7 tackles), John Henry Daley (DE - 7 tackles, 3 sacks), Nate Ritchie (S - 7 tackles), Paul Fitzgerald (DE - 6 tackles, 0.5 sacks), Trey Reynolds (LB - 6 tackles, INT), Karson Kaufusi (DT - 5 tackles, 0.5 sacks), Kash Dillon (DE - 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Johnathan Hall (LB - 5 tackles, PBU, INT)