Dampier, who has battled lower leg injuries this season, looked fresh after Utah’s bye week and became the first Utes quarterback to rush for over 100 yards since Travis Wilson against Oregon in 2015.
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Heavy storms soaked the field but didn’t slow Dampier, who avoided tackles on just 10 carries.
Dampier ran for touchdowns twice in the first half, from 12 yards and from 24 yards, and then added a 9-yard score in the third quarter. Dampier was 7 of 12 for 104 yards as Utah (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) rarely felt the need to throw the ball.
Arizona State starting quarterback Sam Leavitt missed the game with a right foot injury. Sixth-year senior Jeff Sims, one of the most experienced backups in the country with starts at Georgia Tech, Nebraska and ASU, was 18 of 38 for 124 yards.
Utah rushed for 276 yards and six touchdowns, the most since a 52-7 win over Stanford in 2021. ASU (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) only allowed 78.2 rushing yards per game until the Utes got to six touchdowns in seven possessions (their final drive ran out the clock).
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ASU’s Jesús Gómez scored a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter, but his second attempt was blocked by Jackson Bennee. That led to a six-play, 75-yard Utah drive, capped by a 24-yard run by NaQuari Rogers and a 21-3 Ute lead at halftime. Rogers added another score on a long toss from Dampier on an option play.
ASU wide receiver Jordyn Tyson couldn’t let go on the field. He had eight receptions for 40 yards on 16 targets and beat the defense on a 3-yard pass for the Sun Devil’s first touchdown.
Utah’s John Henry Daley came in with the third-most sacks in the country and added 1.5 sacks for a total of eight on the season.
takeaway
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Arizona St.: The Sun Devils were fourth in the FBS with 19 sacks this season, but the elusive Dampier wasn’t sacked once and they couldn’t stop the streak all night. ASU’s eight-game conference winning streak was snapped as they needed to go 4-for-4 on fourth downs to keep drives alive.
Utah: The Utes have dominated the line of scrimmage in every game except their loss to Texas Tech on Sept. 20. The offensive line opened big holes for Utah’s running backs (6.6 yards per carry) and the defense harassed Sims throughout the game as the Utes celebrated their first home league victory since joining the Big 12 last season.
Next
Arizona State: Hosts No. 9 Texas Tech next Saturday.
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Utah: Visit No. 18 BYU next Saturday.
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