By: Izaiah Ortiz
(Photo/Dylan Berkman-The Mojo Network)
On a lively Family Weekend night at Folsom Field, the undefeated Utah Utes (6-0) escaped with a hard-fought 27-24 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes (2-4) on Oct. 17, 2026. Utah extended its winning streak to 12 games (the longest active streak in the FBS at the time) in a game that featured a dramatic second-half comeback and late-game chaos.
Utah dominated the first half, building a 13-0 lead. The Utes controlled time of possession (about 22 minutes) and outgained Colorado significantly early, while the Buffaloes managed just 70 total yards and piled up more penalty yards than offensive yards by intermission. Devon Dampier connected with Hunter Andrews for an 8-yard touchdown on the opening drive, and Dillon Curtis added field goals of 27 and 29 yards.
Colorado flipped the script after halftime. Quarterback Isaac Wilson (facing his former team) sparked a 17-point third-quarter surge. He hit JaQuail Smith on a short pass that turned into a 68-yard touchdown, DeKalon Taylor scored on an 18-yard option run to give the Buffs a 14-13 lead, and Elliott Arnold added a 32-yard field goal to make it 17-13. It was the first time Utah had trailed all season.
Utah responded. Dampier found Braden Pegan for a 16-yard score to reclaim the lead at 20-17 late in the third. In the fourth, a Wilson interception set up a short field, and Dampier hit Pegan again for a 27-17 advantage with under four minutes left. Colorado answered with an 83-yard drive capped by Wilson’s 2-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr., cutting the deficit to 27-24 with 1:21 remaining.
After Utah punted, the Buffaloes got one more chance. A lateral play that initially looked promising was ruled an illegal forward pass on review, pushing Colorado back. Wilson’s final Hail Mary into the end zone fell incomplete as time expired.
Colorado finished with 394 total yards, but was hampered by penalties (around 10 for 93 yards) and the two interceptions. Utah’s defense stiffened enough in the end, and the Utes improved to 6-0 while Colorado dropped its fourth straight.
What’s next
• Utah hosts No. 14 Houston on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in a key Big 12 matchup between two strong conference teams.
• Colorado hits the road to face Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Boone Pickens Stadium, still searching for its first Big 12 win of the season.
Both teams have clear opportunities and challenges ahead as the Big 12 race continues to take shape.