Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 25 Utah’s blowout win over Cal Poly

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between No. 25 Utah and Cal Poly. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

Utah 63, Cal Poly 9

The Utes took care out of business — and then some — by cruising past their FCS opponent Saturday.

That allowed Devon Dampier to give way to Byrd Ficklin midway through the third quarter.

Utah’s starting quarterback was again efficient, completing 17 of 23 passes for 192 yards and career-high tying touchdown passes, while also rushing for 25 yards on just four carries.

Utah got off to a bit of a slow start, thanks in part to some penalty issues and sloppy play from the offense.

The Utes, though, broke open a 21-6 game late in the first half, when NaQuari Rogers scored two short touchdowns in the final two minutes of the half following a Johnathan Hall interception and long Rayshawn Glover punt return.

Two quick third-quarter touchdowns for the Utes then widened the gap and allowed Utah to empty the bench.

Fourth quarter

Utah 63, Cal Poly 9

2:12 — Tack one more on the board for Utah.

Byrd Ficklin scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 15-play, 75-yard drive, and the Utes are now past the 60-point mark. Utah 63, Cal Poly 9.

11:13 — Cal Poly capped a solid drive with its third field goal of the day, a 51-yarder from Noah Serna. Utah 56, Cal Poly 9.

The Mustangs initially missed the field goal, but a false start moved the ball back five yards, and Serna nailed the second try.

Third quarter

Utah 56, Cal Poly 6

1:24 — Let the Byrd Ficklin hype train gain some steam.

Utah’s freshman quarterback scored his first-ever touchdown, stiff-arming a defender along the way on a 38-yard touchdown run. Utah 56, Cal Poly 6.

7:12 — Utah’s offense is humming, even with Byrd Ficklin spelling Devon Dampier at quarterback.

Wayshawn Parker broke off a 43-yard touchdown run — his first rushing TD of the day, and second overall — to push the lead to over 40 points. Utah 49, Cal Poly 6.

That finished off a two-play, 50-yard drive that was all Parker.

9:48 — The Utes scored on their opening drive of the second half, thanks to a beautiful pass from Devon Dampier.

Utah’s signal caller connected with Dallen Bentley on an 11-yard pass in a narrow window along the left side of the end zone for a touchdown, giving Dampier his third passing touchdown of the day. Utah 42, Cal Poly 6.

Three touchdown passes ties a career high for Dampier.

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Halftime

Utah 35, Cal Poly 6

It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Utes are well in control at halftime against the Mustangs.

A couple of 1-yard NaQuari Rogers touchdown runs in the final two minutes of the first half — set up by an interception and a long punt return, respectively — helped widen the gap.

Utah has 229 yards of total offense and Devon Dampier has completed 14 of 20 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Jackson Bennee has a pick-six and three pass deflections for the Utes.

Second quarter

Utah 35, Cal Poly 6

0:03 — The Utes added another touchdown, this time on a 1-yard run from NaQuari Rogers on fourth-and-goal in the final five seconds of the half. Utah 35, Cal Poly 6.

That was set up by a 51-yard punt return from Rayshawn Glover.

1:44 — Utah’s defense set up another touchdown, this time on an interception by Johnathan Hall.

Hall tipped a pass while rushing the quarterback, then juggling it before catching it off the tip. Though he was tackled at the Cal Poly 1 after a 4-yard return, NaQuari Rogers scored from 1 yard out on the next play. Utah 28, Cal Poly 6.

7:04 — The Mustangs tacked on another field goal, this time from 47 yards out from Gianluca Dimauro. Utah 21, Cal Poly 6.

The drive was extended by a third-down pass interference on the Utes.

A look around the Big 12

It’s been a busy day for the Big 12.

Kansas just lost to Missouri, 42-31, after taking a 31-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter. That would have been a big win for the Big 12.

The Big 12, though, did big up a pair of key wins earlier in the day, when Baylor rallied to beat No. 17 SMU 48-45 in double overtime and No. 16 Iowa State beat Iowa 16-13 on a late field goal.

Oklahoma State, though, was run over in an embarrassing 69-3 loss to No. 6 Oregon.

Second quarter

Utah 21, Cal Poly 3

14:20 — The Utes are on the board again, this time on a 4-yard touchdown catch by Ryan Davis. Utah 21, Cal Poly 3.

That is the first touchdown by a Utah wide receiver this season.

The Utes drove 65 yards in 12 plays for that score.

First quarter

Utah 14, Cal Poly 3

4:21 — Cal Poly is on the board with a 30-yard field goal from Noah Serna. Utah 14, Cal Poly 3.

The drive was kickstarted by a 42-yard pass to Kian Salehi.

7:15 — Utah’s pick-six season streak is intact, just two games into the 2025 season.

Jackson Bennee returned an interception for 46 yards for the game’s second touchdown. Utah 14, Cal Poly 0.

That extends Utah’s streak with at least one pick-six in a season to 22 years. It’s the longest known streak in NCAA history.

13:08 — That didn’t take long for the Utes to score in their home opener.

Wayshawn Parker scored on a 52-yard touchdown catch six plays into the game, taking a short pass from Devon Dampier and running to the house. Utah 7, Cal Poly 0.

Dampier completed 3 of 4 passes for 60 yards on the opening drive.

How to watch the game

Utah’s home opener against Cal Poly will be livestreamed on ESPN+ and can be found on ESPN+.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for Utah’s game against Cal Poly.