Utah Football Dominates UCLA in Season Opener
PASADENA, Calif. – The Utah Utes kicked off the 2025 football season with a strong 43-10 victory over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl, in front of 35,032 excited fans.
This win marked Utah’s 17th victory in season openers under coach Kyle Whittingham. They have now won eight of their last ten games against UCLA.
The Utes showcased their offensive strength, amassing 492 total yards. They racked up 286 yards rushing and 206 yards passing. Under new offensive coordinator Jason Beck, Utah averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per play. They were successful on 14 of 17 third downs and scored on all six of their trips to the red zone.
Defensively, Utah held UCLA to just 220 yards of offense. The Bruins struggled to run, managing only 84 yards on 28 carries, and they passed for just 136 yards. Utah’s defense was relentless, finishing with four sacks and five tackles for loss.
Quarterback Devon Dampier had an impressive debut. He completed 21 of 25 passes for 206 yards and threw two touchdowns. Dampier also led the Utes in rushing, with 87 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
The running game was solid, with Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers each scoring a touchdown. Parker rushed for 62 yards, while Rogers added 61 yards on the ground.
Receiver Smith Snowden was a standout, catching six passes for 51 yards, and he even scored a touchdown rushing. Dallen Bentley also had a great game, achieving career highs with five catches for 31 yards and scoring his first career touchdown.
Defensively, Lander Barton recorded seven tackles and caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dampier. John Henry Daley led the team with two sacks, showcasing Utah’s strength on both sides of the ball.
In the second half, Utah continued to dominate, outscoring UCLA 20-3 after leading 23-7 at halftime.
Next Up
Utah will host Cal Poly for their home opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 4 p.m. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
Fans can follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. For more updates, visit Utah Utes.
This strong opener sets the tone for Utah’s season as they look to build on this momentum. Historically, teams that start strong often see postseason success. As the Utes continue this path, fans are eager to see how far their talent and teamwork can take them this year.
