No. 2 Utah's Devon Dampier putting himself in Heisman conversation with win over No. 22 Arizona
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier vaulted into Heisman contention after two late, high-stakes performances that kept the undefeated Utes on track. Following clutch showings against BYU and Arizona, Dampier moved into the top tier of odds as Utah survived a road test at No. 22 Arizona in a 40-39 thriller. The victory extended Utah’s winning streak and reinforced momentum toward a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff hopes, with Dampier delivering the decisive 70-yard strike in the final minutes. As the season presses on, his leadership and dual-threat production have shifted perception from an afterthought to a frontrunner candidate for New York.
Dive Deeper:
Dampier began the season overlooked for the Heisman, but his performance in back-to-back clutch games boosted his profile. He played a pivotal role in Utah's wins and became the focal point of the offense as the team maintained an undefeated record.
In the BYU game, Dampier contributed four touchdowns and 266 total yards, a performance that amplified expectations and highlighted his dual-threat abilities.
The road matchup at Arizona featured a back-and-forth battle where Dampier and Noah Fifita traded big plays, culminating in a dramatic finish with Utah trailing by four late in the fourth quarter.
With 2:25 left, Dampier connected with Creed Whittemore for a 70-yard touchdown, a play that sealed a 40-39 victory and preserved Utah’s 16-game winning streak over two seasons.
Across the season, Dampier has thrown for 2,257 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 582 yards and nine scores, establishing himself as one of the country’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks and a top Heisman contender.
Utah’s victory strengthened their Big 12 championship pursuit and CFP hopes, with coach Morgan Scalley praising Dampier’s leadership and clutch performance on the decisive late drive.