How social media reacted to Utah’s Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin shining at QB in Utes’ win over Cal Poly
The quarterbacks both made impressive plays that had fans in awe
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) takes the snap during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
One of the highlights from No. 25 Utah’s dominant 63-9 win over FCS opponent Cal Poly on Saturday was the play of its quarterbacks.
Starter Devon Dampier got to play in front of the crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the first time, while true freshman Byrd Ficklin spelled him in the third quarter and made plenty of believers in the process.
Fans flocked to social media to share their thoughts on how the two looked Saturday.
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) takes the snap during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes student section cheers during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes students react after a play during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) lights the U after an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Utah won 63-9. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Players take the field during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Jona Damuni, 2, sits atop the shoulders of his father, Utah Utes linebacker Levani Damuni (3), after an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Utah won 63-9. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs with the ball during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown off an interception during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans don ponchos as it rains during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs the ball toward the end zone for a touchdown during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) claps to begin a play during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Lander Barton (8) celebrates with safety Jackson Bennee (23) after Bennee picked off an interception and ran it back for a touchdown during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Two young fans hold a sign and gesture during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes and Cal Poly Mustangs players await the snap from Utah during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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A referee reviews a play during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans stand as late University of Utah football players Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe are honored during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Nate Johnson (3) stiff-arms Cal Poly Mustangs safety Brian Dukes Jr. (9) as he runs with the ball during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Cal Poly Mustangs head coach Paul Wulff and Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham briefly shake hands after an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Utah won 63-9. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) claps to begin a play during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up before an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back NaQuari Rogers (21) runs the ball toward Cal Poly Mustangs safety Jeremiah Bernard (1) during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks to the jumbotron after a play during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) celebrates a touchdown he ran back from an interception during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans tailgate before an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans use various methods to shield themselves from the rain during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Ron McBride, former University of Utah football head coach from 1990 to 2002, accepts a football as he is inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor during halftime of an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Ryan Davis (9) celebrates his touchdown during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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A sign is displayed as fans tailgate before an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker, right, celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dallen Bentley (88) during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Cal Poly Mustangs head coach Paul Wulff looks to the jumbotron between plays during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Stacey Jewkes, of Price, laughs with friends as fans tailgate before an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Roy Jefferson, a University of Utah wide receiver from 1962 to 1964, cheers after accepting a football to be inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor during halftime of an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) prepares to pass the ball during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Roy Jefferson, a University of Utah wide receiver from 1962 to 1964, accepts a football as he is inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor during halftime of an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players stretch before an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Ron McBride, right, former University of Utah football head coach from 1990 to 2002, and his wife, Vicky, wave before being inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor during halftime of an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Nameplates for Roy Jefferson, a University of Utah wide receiver from 1962 to 1964, and Ron McBride, former University of Utah football head coach from 1990 to 2002, are revealed as they are inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor during halftime of an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Shellie Jensen, of Herriman, sports Utah Utes earrings as fans tailgate before an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Even playing with lots of mistakes on offense they’re up 29. Dampier has guys coming open but just gets a little too impatient. Plenty of things to work on
Dampier completed 17 of 23 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, tying a career high. He also ran for 25 on just four carries in another efficient outing.
Dampier’s final touchdown — when he found Dallen Bentley along the sideline of the end zone in tight defense — elicited plenty of excitement from Ute fans.
Wow, that was an absolutely perfect, on the money throw by Dampier.
Ficklin, meanwhile, ran for 55 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries. His 38-yard touchdown late in the third quarter was his first touchdown as a collegian.
