3 takeaways from No. 13 Utah’s 27-point win at Baylor
The Utes ran wild — particularly on big scoring plays — to counter a night where Utah gave up a lot of yards
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Utah running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs with the ball as Baylor linebacker Kyland Reed (45) tries to stop him during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. Julio Cortez, Associated Press
It’s a tradition unlike any other in 2025 — Utah football winning in a blowout.
This time, the No. 13 Utes dealt with more adversity than they had in their previous two wins. It didn’t ultimately matter, though, as Utah beat Baylor 55-28 at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, on Saturday night.
That improved Utah to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in Big 12 play, as the Utes stayed right in the thick of the conference title race.
Chunk plays were commonplace Saturday night in Waco, but Utah had the sizable advantage on that front in the win, as many of the Utes’ long plays ended up in the end zone.
In the first half, Utah scored on a 65-yard pick-six by Elijah Davis to go up 14-0, then a 67-yard touchdown run from Byrd Ficklin and a 64-yarder from Wayshawn Parker sandwiched a Baylor field goal as Utah built a 28-10 lead.
Then in the second half, after the Bears had clawed within 28-20 to make the game interesting, Ficklin delivered again. This time, he stiff-armed his way to a 74-yard touchdown, giving the Utes a 35-20 lead.
It was a touchdown that started 21 straight points for Utah to help it pull away for the win.
Ficklin ended up running for 166 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries, for an outstanding 27.7 yards per carry.
Parker, meanwhile, added 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving — while averaging 8.6 yards on 15 total carries.
The Utes ended up rushing for 380 yards as part of a night they had 483 yards of total offense.
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Utah safety Tao Johnson (5) disrupts a pass intended for Baylor tight end Michael Trigg during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah defensive end John Henry Daley, center, is blocked by Baylor offensive lineman Ryan Lengyel (62) and offensive lineman Sean Thompkins, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) attempts a pass as Baylor linebacker Emar'Rion Winston applies pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah safety Tao Johnson attempts to intercept a pass by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu blocks against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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People cross a bridge over the Brazos River en route to a an NCAA college football game between the Baylor and the Utah at McLane Stadium Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor tight end Michael Trigg is unable to catch a pass against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier throws a pass against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, left, is sacked by Baylor linebacker Emar'Rion Winston during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron runs with the ball on his way to score a touchdown against Utah on a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson throws a pass against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins, left, runs after making a catch as Utah cornerback Don Saunders tries to stop him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Sam Stinchcomb, Baylor Class of 1987 who resides in Dallas, gestures as the band plays a school song prior to an NCAA college football game between the Baylor and the Utah Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor running back Bryson Washington, right, avoids a tackle by Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, left, attempts a pass as Baylor linebacker Emar'Rion Winston (32), linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) and defensive lineman Devonte Tezino (59) apply pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier looks to pass against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall gestures after a play against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh Cameron during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah safety Tao Johnson (5) tries to separate players during a fight in the second half of an NCAA college football game between the Baylor and the Utah Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah running back Naquari Rogers, right, runs the ball on his way to a touchdown as Baylor safety DJ Coleman defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Spectators look on during the second half of an NCAA college football game between the Baylor and the Utah Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Young spectators, top, react as players scuffle during the second half fight between the Baylor and the Utah in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins (6) reacts at his bench after being ejected for throwing a punch at a Utah player during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor running back Bryson Washington, left, runs with the ball as Utah linebacker Lander Barton makes a hit during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah linebacker Trey Reynolds, left, and linebacker Levani Damuni (3) react after Reynolds intercepted a pass by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah assistant coach Isaac Asiata, center, reacts with offensive lineman Jaren Kump (68) after a touchdown by their team against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) his hit by Utah defensive end Kash Dillon while throwing an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin runs a route against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin runs off the field after running a play against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs with the ball as Baylor linebacker Kyland Reed (45) tries to stop him during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah cornerback Elijah Davis (9) is hugged by wide receivers coach Micah Simon after he was ejected for throwing a punch at a Baylor player during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin runs a play against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Utah’s defense got gashed but also came up with huge plays
Baylor was able to roll up 563 yards against the vaunted Utes defense, one of the few negatives of Utah’s night.
Sawyer Robertson, the Big 12’s passing leader, had some struggles against the Utah defense, but to his credit, he found ways to carve up the Utes secondary as the game wore on.
Robertson finished with 430 passing yards and three touchdown passes, with Josh Cameron (13 receptions, 165 yards, two touchdowns) the main recipient.
During large portions of the second and third quarters, Utah rarely had an answer to stop the Baylor passing attack, and an 18-second, 55-yard scoring drive for Baylor in the final 30 seconds of the first half was a big blemish.
Utah’s defense made big plays, too, though.
Davis’ pick-six came at a crucial moment in the final minute of the first quarter, and in the fourth, Robertson was intercepted by Trey Reynolds.
Reynolds returned the pick 31 yards to the Baylor 9, setting up a touchdown that gave Utah a 49-20 lead.
The Utes also made a fourth-down stop late in the third quarter — one of three turnovers on downs for Baylor — that also led to a Utah touchdown to give the Utes a 22-point lead.
Utah stayed squarely in the Big 12 chase
The Utes could ill-afford a loss in the chase for a spot in the Big 12 conference championship game, with three weeks left in the regular season.
Going into the day, Texas Tech, BYU and Cincinnati all had one conference loss, while Utah, Houston and Arizona State had two.
The Bearcats ended up losing to Arizona early in the day, a positive result for the Utes.
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Yes, Utah will need help to reach the conference championship game, but in the Big 12, chaos is prone to happen. By taking care of business against Baylor, Utah stays in the conference chase.
A loss wouldn’t have officially eliminated the Utes from earning a spot in the Big 12 title game, but a win put those hopes on life support.
Utah is the heavy favorite, per ESPN’s analytical model, in its final two games, at home against Kansas State and on the road at Kansas.
If Utah wins out and ends the regular season on a five-game winning streak, the Utes are in position to make things interesting in the league race if other teams slip up.
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