Utah’s Big Win Proves Dampier Is Heisman-Ready

Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesUtah put an end to the three-game losing streak in the Holy War with a 28-20 win over BYU on Saturday. The third-ranked Utes stayed unbeaten and kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Devon Dampier accounted for four total touchdowns to lead the way. It was a statement game for the program, but the coach wants the team to keep grinding.Dampier Makes His CaseDevon Dampier is the Big 12’s clearest Heisman candidate after Saturday’s performance. He has now thrown for a touchdown in eight of nine games this season while adding a pair of rushing scores against BYU. The senior signal-caller threw two scores and ran for two more against the Cougars. He also caught a 29-yard pass between two defenders to keep a drive alive. The Big 12 has not had a national finalist since TCU in 2022. A Heisman winner has not come from the conference since Oklahoma left. If the league is going to break that streak, it has to be Dampier.Defense Forces The TurnoversThe Utes defense picked off BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier four times on Saturday. Bachmeier threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, but he could not protect the ball. Through the initial eight games of the season, he totaled four picks, plus two additional ones in the fourth quarter versus Utah. Both of those late interceptions happened inside the end zone. Utah forced three turnovers in the second half and shut out the Cougars for the rest of the game. The defense held BYU to just 39 yards in the third quarter. That stop allowed Utah to take the lead for good.Utah started the game with a burst of speed that put them ahead 14-0 in less than five minutes. It took just 75 seconds for the Utes to drive 75 yards for the first score. Utah’s opening drive leading to a touchdown marked the eighth occurrence this season. The team has now outscored opponents 103-9 in the opening quarter through nine games. Head coach Morgan Scalley knows the team is in the driver’s seat for a title, but he does not want them to get comfortable. Following the game, Scalley said on the broadcast, “This was a big win, not THE big win,” according to Fox Sports. The Utes remain 9-0 and 6-0 in the Big 12.