Dramatic comeback keeps Utah's CFP hopes alive

Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) and quarterback Devon Dampier (4) celebrate a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Dramatic comeback keeps Utah's College Football Playoff hopes alive

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 22, 2025 8:32 PM ET

With seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Utah Utes faced a 10-point deficit on Saturday against Kansas State, and a season-long effort of reaching the College Football Playoff looked bleak.

What happened over the next seven minutes was a testament to the Utes being one of the best teams in the country.

Utah begins its comeback with a score and a stop

That is often a term used in basketball rather than football, but it applied perfectly in this scenario.

Utah began its comeback with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 20-yard passing touchdown from Devon Dampier to Larry Simmons. The touchdown for Simmons was his fourth on just 11 catches.

It then came time for the Utes defense to get a stop, which they did, forcing a three-and-out and a punt to get the ball back with 2:19 remaining.

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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025

Devon Dampier magic

Utah faced a fourth and one coming out of the two-minute timeout. A play that would determine the fate of the CFP hopes, and it was Dampier who scampered for a gain of 59 yards to set up a 1st-and-goal for the Utes.

Three plays later, it was Dampier again. His one-yard rushing touchdown gave Utah a 51-47 lead with just 56 seconds remaining.

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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 23, 2025

Game-sealing interception

Kansas State had its chance to go down the field and break the hearts of Utah fans, but it was Lander Barton who ended that with a game-clinching interception.

Somehow, someway, the Utes found a way to escape with a dramatic win and keep their CFP hopes alive for at least one more week.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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