Utah Beat Colorado 27-24, Holding Off a 17-Point Comeback at Folsom Field

No. 11 Utah beat Colorado 27 to 24 at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday night, October 17, 2026, but the Utes had to survive a scare to stay unbeaten. Utah led 13 to 0 at halftime and looked in full control. Colorado then scored 17 straight points in the third quarter to take the lead, before Devon Dampier threw two touchdown passes to Braden Pegan, one late in the third quarter and one with 3:46 left, to put Utah back in front for good. The win takes Utah to 6 and 0 overall and 3 and 0 in the Big 12. Colorado falls to 2 and 4, and 0 and 3 in the conference.

Utah control the first half

Utah scored on its opening drive for the sixth game in a row. A 12 play, 75 yard drive ended with Dampier finding tight end Hunter Andrews for an 8 yard touchdown and a 7 to 0 lead. Colorado's defense held on a long second quarter drive, 17 plays and 84 yards over 8 minutes and 35 seconds, and Utah settled for a field goal and 10 to 0. The Buffaloes then kept Utah out of the end zone twice more. Dylan Manuel intercepted a Dampier shovel pass in the red zone, and Rabbit Evans ripped the ball away from Charlie Williams for another interception. Utah still added a 29 yard field goal from Dillon Curtis before the break. At halftime Utah had 248 yards of offense to Colorado's 70, and Colorado had given up 8 penalties for 82 yards.

Colorado score 17 straight in the third quarter

The game turned three plays into the second half. Isaac Wilson, under pressure, dumped the ball off to running back JaQuail Smith, who ran 68 yards for a touchdown and cut the lead to 13 to 7. On the next Colorado drive, DeKalon Taylor scored on a 20 yard run up the right sideline and the Buffaloes led 14 to 13. Naeten Mitchell then intercepted a scrambling Dampier, and Elliot Arnold kicked a 32 yard field goal to make it 17 to 13. Utah answered before the quarter ended. Dampier hit Creed Whittemore for 43 yards on third and long, then found Pegan in the back corner of the end zone to retake the lead at 20 to 17.

Two interceptions and a late stand decide it

After three straight punts opened the fourth quarter, Wilson threw his second interception of the night with 5:09 left, forcing a pass into a tight window. Three plays later, after another big Whittemore catch, Dampier threw to Pegan again and Utah led 27 to 17. Colorado were not done. Wilson found DeAndre Moore for 48 yards, then hit Moore again for a 2 yard touchdown with 1:21 left to make it 27 to 24. Utah recovered the ball, ran the clock down and punted, pinning Colorado at its own 9 yard line with 56 seconds left. The Buffaloes needed a field goal to force overtime and did not get there, and Utah ran out the win. USA TODAY's early rankings projection after the wild Week 7 Saturday puts Utah in the top 10, with a game against one loss Houston next. Colorado plays at Oklahoma State on October 24.