Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 12 Utah’s thrilling victory over Kansas State

Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 12 Utah’s thrilling victory over Kansas StateStory byUtah tight end JJ Buchanan (81) stiff-arms Kansas State Wildcats safety Vj Payne (7) as he runs the ball after making a deep catch during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsBrandon JuddSun, November 23, 2025 at 12:53 AM UTC·14 min read

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between No. 12 Utah and Kansas State. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

No. 12 Utah 51, Kansas State 47

Utah’s home finale provided plenty of fireworks — especially if you are a fan of running games.

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Enter the hero, Devon Dampier.

With Utah facing a fourth-and-1 from its own 39 at the two-minute timeout and trailing 47-44, Dampier ripped off a 59-yard run down to the Kansas State 2.

Three plays later, Dampier scored the go-ahead touchdown and Utah’s Lander Barton intercepted Avery Johnson on the ensuing possession to help Utah escape.

The comeback, oddly enough, started with a thanks to a two-point conversion interception return from Tao Johnson.

After Kansas State went up 47-35 with seven minutes to play on Joe Jackson’s third touchdown run, Johnson intercepted a tipped pass on the two-point try and took it for two points the other way.

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Larry Simmons then caught a touchdown pass with 2:47 left to make it a three-point game and from there, the chaos just got crazier.

After Utah forced a three and out and used its three timeouts, the Utes got the ball back down three with 2:25 to play and starting from its 30.

Four plays later, Dampier’s 59-yard scamper flipped the script yet again in a wild game.

Kansas State ran roughshod over the Utes’ rushing defense, finishing with 472 yards on the ground. That included 348 yards in the first half.

Jackson had a career day for the Wildcats, finishing with 293 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, including that 24-yarder in the fourth quarter that gave Kansas State a 47-37 lead.

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The Wildcats ended the day with 574 yards of total offense.

It wasn’t enough, though.

Dampier ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 259 yards and two more scores, while Byrd Ficklin scored three rushing touchdowns.

Utah put up 551 yards of total offense, including 292 rushing.

Kansas State took a 31-21 lead into halftime before the Utes rallied to go ahead 35-31 five minutes into the second half.

The Wildcats responded with the next 17 points, including Jackson’s final touchdown, which was set up by a Dampier fumble, before Utah’s rally.

Fourth quarter

Utah 51, Kansas State 47

0:39 — That seals it.

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Lander Barton intercepted Avery Johnson on the second play of Kansas State’s drive, and the Utes will win on Senior Day.

0:54 — Utah is back in the lead in what has been a wild game.

Devon Dampier broke off a 59-yard run on fourth-and-1, then scored from 1-yard out three plays later. Utah 51, Kansas State 47.

The Utes looked defeated when Kansas State went up 47-35 and went for two, but Tao Johnson’s pick-six return on the two-point conversion was a four-point swing and the momentum Utah needed to make the rally.

2:47 — The Utes have life.

Larry Simmons caught a 20-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game with under three minutes to play, as Utah converted two fourth downs on that scoring drive. Kansas State 47, Utah 44.

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The Utes have three timeouts as Kansas State takes the ball back, though Spencer Fano just left the game injured.

7:00 — The first turnover of the day led to another Kansas State touchdown.

A Devon Dampier fumble on third down gave the Wildcats a short field and Joe Jackson scored his third rushing touchdown of the day from 24 yards out.

On a two-point attempt, Utah’s Tao Johnson intercepted a tipped pass and returned it for two points the other way to make it a 10-point game. Kansas State 47, Utah 37.

8:51 — The Wildcats added to their lead, as Luis Rodriguez knocked through a 36-yard field goal. Kansas State 41, Utah 35.

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Holding Kansas State to three points, though, keeps it a one-score game.

Avery Johnson had a receiver in the end zone on third down, the play before the kick, but Utah’s Blake Cotton broke up the pass intended for Jaron Tibbs.

Third quarter

Kansas State 38, Utah 35

1:44 — The Wildcats gambled, and it paid off — and now Kansas State is back in the lead.

Avery Johnson hit an open Garrett Oakley for a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal to give Kansas State its first score of the second half. Kansas State 38, Utah 35.

That capped a 14-play, 79-yard drive for the visiting Wildcats.

10:03 — The Utes have their first lead of the game, and it took just five minutes of the second half.

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Byrd Ficklin ran for his third touchdown of the day, scoring from 10 yards out. Utah 35, Kansas State 31.

That capped a seven-play, 66-yard drive that followed Utah’s first defensive stop since the first quarter.

13:49 — We’ve got our first non-rushing touchdown of the day.

Dallen Bentley caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Devon Dampier, and it’s a one-score game again just over a minute into the second half. Kansas State 31, Utah 28.

That touchdown was set up by runs of 25 and 12 yards from Wayshawn Parker.

Halftime

Kansas State 31, Utah 21

After an absolutely stunning, weird first half, the Wildcats took a 10-point lead into the break against No. 12 Utah.

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That’s because Kansas State ran for 348 yards in the first half. Joe Jackson led that attack, as he ran for 236 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.

Kansas State has given up 383 yards of total offense, while Utah has 267.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah tight end JJ Buchanan (81) runs the ball as his ankle is wrapped up by Kansas State Wildcats safety Vj Payne (7) during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown while guarded by Kansas State Wildcats safety Vj Payne (7) during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah tight end Dallen Bentley (88) can’t quite reel in a catch as he’s guarded by Kansas State Wildcats safety Gunner Maldonado (3) during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Pass interference was called on Kansas State on this play. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah defensive end John Henry Daley (90) sacks Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) while the ball gets loose from his hands during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah tight end JJ Buchanan (81) stiff-arms Kansas State Wildcats safety Vj Payne (7) as he runs the ball after making a deep catch during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Brendan Zurbrugg (14) greets fans as he makes his way into Rice-Eccles Stadium with the rest of the team before an NCAA football game against Kansas State Wildcats in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsKansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman makes his way into Rice-Eccles Stadium before an NCAA football game against Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah quarterbacks Isaac Wilson (11) and Brendan Zurbrugg (14) warm up before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah head coach Kyle Whittingham greets fans as he makes his way into Rice-Eccles Stadium with the rest of the team before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah players stretch before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsUtah head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman, right, talk before an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) and Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) look on during warm ups before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsKansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) passes during warm ups before an NCAA football game against Utah held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah players greet fans as they arrive at Rice-Eccles Stadium before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman, right, talk before an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah safety Tao Johnson (5) tackles Kansas State Wildcats running back Joe Jackson (4) during the first half of an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) looks to pass over Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Ralph Ortiz (20) during the first half of an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs past Kansas State Wildcats safety Daniel Cobbs (4) during the first half of an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah takes the field before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) dives past Kansas State Wildcats safety Vj Payne (7) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) runs into the end zone fore a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsUtah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) and Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) look on during warm ups before an NCAA football game against the Kansas State Wildcats held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Second quarter

Kansas State 31, Utah 21

1:17 — Now it’s a two-score lead for Kansas State for the first time today, and it brought out the boo birds from some Utah fans.

After Kansas State forced a punt — aided by an offensive pass interference call against Utah on a third-down play — Joe Jackson juked Tao Johnson and raced untouched for a 80-yard touchdown. Kansas State 31, Utah 21.

4:32 — Kansas State scored the first non-touchdown of the day, as Luis Rodriguez kicked a 22-yard field goal. Kansas State 24, Utah 21.

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Avery Johnson ripped off a 58-yard run to set up the field goal, one play after a defensive pass interference on third down kept Kansas State’s drive going.

6:51 — The Utes keep countering every Kansas State touchdown with one of their own.

This time, Devon Dampier turned an excellent cut into an 8-yard touchdown run. Utah 21, Kansas State 21.

That came after Dampier found JJ Buchanan for a 60-yard gain on a beautiful third-down pass to move the Utes into K State territory.

9:07 — The Wildcats are back in the lead in a wacky and weird game.

This time, Joe Jackson scored on a 66-yard run straight up the middle on a fourth-and-1. Kansas State 21, Utah 14.

Avery Johnson was marked short of the first down on a third-down play and the refs reviewed the spot, then upheld it. The next play, Jackson went untouched for the score.

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11:11 — Two plays after the refs called a timeout for a medical review — and were talking with Devon Dampier — Byrd Ficklin scored his second touchdown run of the day, this time from 6 yards out. Utah 14, Kansas State 14.

The Utes moved the ball 75 yards on that drive, primarily on the ground, in tying the score back up.

14:54 — The Wildcats scored again, this time on a 4-yard Avery Johnson run on third down. Kansas State 14, Utah 7.

Kansas State drove 70 yards on its third possession of the game for the touchdown, sparked by a 33-yard run from Joe Jackson that got the Wildcats inside the Utah red zone.

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First quarter

Utah 7, Kansas State 7

4:48 — Utah countered with a score of its own and was aided by four Kansas State penalties.

Byrd Ficklin scored the Utes’ first points on a 10-yard carry, capping a nine-play, 70-yard drive. Utah 7, Kansas State 7.

The Wildcats were called for four penalties on that drive, for 45 yards. That included two on third down that resulted in first downs and another one on third down that turned a third-and-9 into third-and-4, which Utah converted.

8:29 — The Wildcats are on the board first.

After both teams punted on their opening possession, Kansas State’s Antonio Martin Jr. broke a couple tackles and scored on a 37-yard run. Kansas State 7, Utah 0.

That came two plays after fellow running back Joe Jackson ripped off a 44-yard run to get the Wildcats into Utah territory.

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How to watch the game

The game between Utah and Kansas State will be televised on ESPN2 and will be live streamed on Watch ESPN. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. MST.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game between the Utes and Wildcats.

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