Utah Leads BYU 14-3 After First Quarter

Utah's quick opening scoring drives gave it a double-digit advantage over BYU in the opening period of their football game.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football

Utah took a 14-3 lead over BYU in the first quarter after scoring on a 22-yard Devon Dampier touchdown run and a 46-yard Braden Pegan receiving touchdown. BYU answered with a 31-yard Matthias Dunn field goal.

Why it matters

Utah's opening drive covered 75 yards in three plays, showing how quickly its offense moved against the BYU defense. The early deficit puts pressure on BYU to slow Utah's explosive passing and running plays.

Utah has run seven total plays, four of which totaled 133 yards, while Walker Lyons recorded 51 receiving yards for BYU. Whether these early production levels hold through the rest of the game has not been determined.

The players

Utah

The University of Utah's football program competes in the Big 12 Conference and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

BYU

Brigham Young University's football program competes in the Big 12 Conference and is based in Provo, Utah.

The details

Utah shredded the BYU defense after receiving the opening kickoff, with Devon Dampier connecting with tight end Noah Bennee for a 47-yard gain on the way to a touchdown run. BYU drove into the red zone on a drive featuring Lyons's receiving yards, but a delay of game penalty on a fourth-down quarterback sneak stalled the drive.

First quarter, 13:45 remaining: Devon Dampier scores on a 22-yard touchdown run for Utah.
First quarter, 10:31 remaining: Braden Pegan catches a 46-yard touchdown pass for Utah.
First quarter, 6:04 remaining: Matthias Dunn kicks a 31-yard field goal for BYU.

Season Trajectory

The Utah-BYU rivalry, known as the Holy War, has been played annually since 1922 and carries significant weight for in-state bragging rights. An early double-digit lead can shape how both programs approach the rest of their season.

Fantasy managers rostering Walker Lyons or Devon Dampier should monitor usage as the game progresses. BYU's defensive adjustments in the second quarter will determine whether Utah's early production continues.

The takeaway

Early leads in rivalry games can be deceptive, as the first quarter reflects only one part of a longer contest. Readers should watch whether BYU adjusts its defensive approach to limit Utah's explosive plays.