No. 6 Utah Beat Cincinnati 49-25 as Dampier Throws Three Touchdowns and the Defense Scores Twice

No. 6 Utah beat Cincinnati 49-25 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Utes led 42-6 at halftime, scored two defensive touchdowns in the first half, and stayed unbeaten at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big 12.

Quarterback Devon Dampier completed 22 of 29 passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 45 yards. His passing line set the tone for an offense that outgained Cincinnati 534 yards to 456 and outrushed the Bearcats 268 yards to 193.

A first half that settled the game

Utah built the 42-6 halftime lead with help from its defense. The Utes scored on a pick six and on a forced fumble that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown, both in the first half. By the break, Cincinnati had six points and a 36-point deficit.

The margin meant the second half was played with the result largely set. Cincinnati kept scoring, and Utah added seven points of its own, but the Bearcats never got close enough to change the shape of the game.

Cincinnati fought back after halftime

Cincinnati outscored Utah 19-7 in the second half. Quarterback JC French IV completed 16 of 30 passes for 263 yards. Running back Cole Tabb rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown.

The Bearcats also scored on a pick six by Jacob Finley and on rushing touchdowns by Cole Tabb and CJ French IV. The rally cut into the margin but did not erase a first half in which Utah scored 42 points.

Cincinnati fell to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12 with the loss. The crowd at Nippert Stadium was 36,487.

What the numbers say

The yardage tells the story of a game that was closer on the ground than on the scoreboard. Utah held a 534 to 456 edge in total yards and a 268 to 193 edge in rushing yards. The difference was the first half, when Utah turned defensive plays into touchdowns and built a lead Cincinnati could not chase down.

Dampier threw one interception, and Cincinnati scored on one of its own takeaways, so both defenses produced points. Utah produced more of them, and did it early, when the game was still open.

What comes next

Utah plays at BYU on November 7 in the Holy War rivalry game. BYU beat Arizona State 27-20 on the same day, so both teams go into that game off a win.

Cincinnati plays at Houston on November 7. The Bearcats have lost ground in the Big 12 at 2-3 in the conference and need a win on the road to steady their season.