On a crisp Saturday afternoon, before 51,463 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Utah Utes sent a statement: 63-9 over Cal Poly. From the opening drive to the final whistle, Utah played with pace, physicality, and efficiency, breathing new life into its offense and reminding everyone why there’s optimism in Salt Lake City this season!
Through the air, the Utes were nearly flawless: 21 completions on 27 attempts for 245 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions. Devon Dampier led with 17-of-23, 192 yards and three scores. Utah piled up 518 total yards of offense; Cal Poly managed 223.
The Utes rushed for 273 yards, averaging nearly 6.1 yards per carry. Several backs hit 50-yard marks: Nate Johnson (59 yards), Byrd Ficklin (55) with two touchdowns on the ground, Wayshawn Parker (50 yards, including one TD), and NaQuari Rogers (31 yards, with two 1-yard rushing touchdowns).
Defense & Turnovers: Cal Poly never reached the end zone. Their nine points came via field goals. Utah’s defense forced two interceptions; one returned by Jackson Bennee, 46 yards for a pick-six. The Utes also had 3 sacks and 9 tackles for losses.
Efficiency & Depth: Utah’s red-zone offense was perfect, scoring a touchdown every time they got inside (they were 5 for 5 in reaching the red zone). And with several starters resting due to injury, the backups and role-players did more than just hold the line.
What It Means for the Utes:
From the local vantage point, this game delivered exactly what many Ute fans wanted: dominance without excuses. Cal Poly isn’t expected to be much of a threat — they’re an FCS team, after all — but you sweep through expectations only by executing, and Utah did just that. After dominating their season opener on the road against UCLA; and dDmespite missing five starters, the team showed depth, determination, and that new “go-go” style (faster tempo, more aggressive offense) is not just talk. If this is how Utah looks against lesser opponents, it gives reason to believe that when the calendar turns to tougher conference matchups, the Utes may be better prepared than many predicted.
The defensive streak, specifically the pick-six by Bennee, was still impressive. Utah now ties together 22 straight seasons with at least one interception returned for a score, a school record and something that underscores the program’s consistency.
Things to Watch Moving Forward:
Discipline: There were some sloppy penalties. Against lesser competition, Utah can afford mistakes; in Big 12, not so much.
Sustainability: Can the run-game and tempo be kept up, especially when facing teams with stronger fronts and better conditioning?
Backup Depth: The way Byrd Ficklin and others contributed is a good sign. If injuries pile up, the Utes seem to have bodies that can step in without losing much.
Verdict: This was not the most eye-opening test Utah will face this season, but it was exactly the kind of statement win the Utes needed. 63-9 isn’t just a win—it’s a message: Utah expects to be physical, fast, and deep this season. Fans left Rice-Eccles satisfied, and rightly so. If the Utes carry this energy forward, they won’t just be dangerous, they’ll be contenders.
Photos by: Joe Oliver
The Hive Sports 
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