Sports · October 25, 2026

Utah Beats Houston 21–13: Devon Dampier Rallies Utes to 7–0 Start

No. 10 Utah overcame a second-half deficit to beat No. 14 Houston, with Devon Dampier and a late defensive takeaway changing the game.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 25, 2026 · Independently written from credited sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative photograph of college-style American football action; not the Utah–Houston game or its players

Representative editorial photograph, not an image of the reported event or people. Photo: David Morris / Pexels (free-use license).

Quick answer: Utah won 21–13 on October 24 as Devon Dampier rushed for 150 yards and two scores and the Utes forced a late fumble.

SALT LAKE CITY — No. 10 Utah defeated No. 14 Houston 21–13 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, remaining unbeaten after a game in which the Utes trailed in the second half. Quarterback Devon Dampier supplied two rushing touchdowns and 150 yards on the ground, while a fourth-quarter takeaway stopped Houston's last serious attempt to regain control.

Utah vs Houston: How the score changed

Houston kept Utah off the scoreboard in the first half and took a 10–0 lead in the third quarter. Makhi Hughes scored on a short run for the Cougars, but Dampier answered with a touchdown run. Houston's Jonathan Dimas later made a 47-yard field goal to push the visitors ahead 13–7.

Utah finally went in front with 11:57 remaining. Wayshawn Parker finished a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run, turning a six-point deficit into a 14–13 lead after the conversion. The scoring drive mattered because Utah had struggled to convert sustained possessions into points earlier in the night.

The fourth-quarter play that sealed Utah's win

Houston got the ball back at its own 20-yard line with 2:20 to play. On the first play, safety Jackson Bennee blitzed and hit quarterback Conner Weigman, forcing a fumble. Jireh Moe recovered at the Houston 9. Dampier ran for a touchdown on the next snap, making it 21–13 with just over two minutes remaining.

The forced fumble was a decisive swing: instead of needing to defend a potential Houston scoring drive with a one-point lead, Utah could protect an eight-point advantage. The Utes made the final defensive stop to close out the game.

Devon Dampier stats and what they show

Dampier completed 18 of 26 passes for 204 yards, according to Utah's official recap, while running for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The rushing production gave the Utes a way to sustain offense even when Houston limited other options. Houston quarterback Weigman completed 19 of 35 attempts for 282 passing yards, according to his school's report.

Utah's defense held Houston to 86 rushing yards and 368 total yards, below the Cougars' entering-game offensive averages cited by Utah. The Utes' ability to defend the run made Houston more dependent on late passing downs.

What the result means for the Big 12

Utah improved to 7–0 overall and 4–0 in Big 12 play; Houston fell to 6–2 and 3–2. The win was recorded in front of 51,864 spectators, which Utah reported as its 100th consecutive sellout at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The standings impact is real, but postseason projections remain unsettled with conference games still to play.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Houston vs Utah on October 24?

Utah won 21–13.

How many rushing yards did Devon Dampier have?

He rushed for 150 yards and scored twice on the ground.

Was Utah still undefeated after the game?

Yes. The Utes moved to 7–0.

Sources and verification

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