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Dampier’s 70-Yard Strike to Whittemore Lifts No. 2 Utah Past No. 23 Arizona 40-39 to Stay Perfect

Devon Dampier threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Creed Whittemore with 2:35 left as No. 2 Utah beat No. 23 Arizona 40-39 in Tucson to reach 10-0 for the first time since 2008.

Published

6 hours ago

November 15, 2026

We Speak Media

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier scores a touchdown in front of Arizona safety Gavin Hunter during the first half in Tucson, Nov. 14, 2026

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier scores a touchdown in front of Arizona safety Gavin Hunter (23) during the first half on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. Photo by Rick Scuteri, AP Photo.

Devon Dampier threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Creed Whittemore with 2:35 remaining as No. 2 Utah rallied to beat No. 23 Arizona 40-39 on Saturday night and stay perfect on the season.

The game featured seven lead changes and more than 900 combined yards. Arizona led 14-3 in the second quarter, the largest deficit Utah has faced all season, before the Utes scored back-to-back touchdowns to lead 17-14 at halftime.

Arizona went back in front late when Noah Fifita threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Mizell, his second score of the night, and ran in the two-point conversion himself for a 39-33 lead with 3:13 left. Utah answered in two plays and 38 seconds, with Dampier finding Whittemore for the winning score.

Utah’s defense sealed it on a fourth-down stop, with Jackson Bennee deflecting a Fifita pass on fourth-and-2 inside the final two minutes, and Dampier scrambled for a first down to run out the clock.

Dampier accounted for four touchdowns, throwing for 204 yards and two scores and rushing for 100 yards and two more. Daniel Bray carried 18 times for 197 yards and a touchdown after starter Wayshawn Parker left following one snap, and Whittemore caught five passes for 92 yards. Fifita threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns for Arizona.

Utah (10-0, 7-0 Big 12) is 10-0 for the first time since 2008 and has won 16 straight games. The Utes flew in Saturday after the FAA ground stop pushed kickoff back three hours. Arizona (7-3, 4-3) saw its seven-game home winning streak snapped.

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Benedict Rallies From 24 Points Down to Beat Kentucky State 52-45 in Overtime and Win the SIAC Championship

Published

53 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

KJ Butler

A Benedict receiver in a purple jersey leaps high above a Kentucky State defender to catch the football during the SIAC Championship game.

A Benedict receiver climbs above a Kentucky State defender to pull down a catch during the Tigers' 52-45 overtime win over Kentucky State in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.

Benedict College is a champion again. The Tigers came back from 24 points down on Saturday in Columbia, beating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to win the SIAC Championship, the third conference title in program history, and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs came with it.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — November 14, 2026

What started as a competitive conference championship matchup turned into an unforgettable day at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, as Benedict College delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime, capturing its third conference football championship in program history.

With the SIAC Championship on the line, both teams came out ready to compete. The opening quarter featured an evenly matched battle, with both offenses finding opportunities while the defenses worked to establish control. Benedict struck first, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Kentucky State Takes Over

However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Kentucky State.

The Thorobreds delivered a dominant second quarter, outscoring Benedict 17-0 before continuing their offensive surge in the third. Kentucky State eventually built a 24-point lead after putting together 31 unanswered points, leaving the Tigers with a mountain to climb.

The Comeback

But Benedict wasn’t ready to surrender its championship hopes.

Benedict's quarterback in a purple No. 3 jersey leaps over a diving Kentucky State defender while carrying the football. — *Benedict’s quarterback hurdles a diving Kentucky State tackler as the Tigers rally in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Tigers found another gear in the fourth quarter, putting together a furious comeback and scoring 24 points in the final period to pull even at 45-45. After trailing by as many as 24 points, Benedict had turned what appeared to be a comfortable Kentucky State victory into a championship thriller.

A Wild Final Minute

The final minute of regulation brought even more drama.

With approximately one minute remaining, Kentucky State punted the ball to Benedict, but the Tigers muffed the return, giving the Thorobreds another opportunity to steal the game. Kentucky State moved into position to score, but Benedict’s defense came up with a crucial stop, keeping the Thorobreds out of the end zone.

Benedict's No. 13 in a purple jersey leaps to catch the football with two Kentucky State defenders closing in and fans behind the sideline wall. — *Benedict’s No. 13 pulls down a catch between two Kentucky State defenders during the championship game. Photo by KJ Butler.*

With Kentucky State out of timeouts, clock management became critical. A delay-of-game penalty with nine seconds remaining resulted in a 10-second runoff, sending the game into overtime. The sequence proved costly for the Thorobreds, as a late-game miscommunication and clock-management mishap ended their opportunity to attempt a field goal before regulation expired.

Overtime Decides It

One more possession would determine the championship.

In overtime, Benedict wasted little time making its opportunity count. Quarterback Glenn Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a touchdown pass, giving the Tigers the advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Kentucky State.

Two Benedict defenders collide with a Kentucky State ball carrier in the end zone, knocking the carrier's helmet into the air, with the Benedict band in the background. — *Benedict’s defense delivers a hit that knocks a Kentucky State helmet loose in the end zone during the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Thorobreds were unable to match the score, and Benedict’s sideline erupted in celebration.

After overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic final minute, and finishing the job in overtime, the Tigers walked away with a 52-45 victory and their third conference football championship in program history.

At Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, fans witnessed a comeback that will forever be remembered.

What Is Next

Benedict’s season rolls on into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The SIAC championship carries the conference’s automatic bid, and the Tigers entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in Super Region Two. Benedict learns its first-round opponent at the NCAA Division II selection show on Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m. ET, with first-round games set for Saturday, November 21.

Kentucky State’s season is not finished either. The Thorobreds close at 8-3 after their first SIAC title game appearance since 2016, and they are expected to land an at-large playoff berth when the bracket is revealed on Sunday night. If their name is called, their first-round game is also Saturday, November 21.