If there were an award given for most times flirting with disaster this year, Utah has to be in consideration. After escaping with a win over Kansas State last week in dramatic fashion, the Utes had to rally back against Kansas as well to close out the season.
The game started off slow with just a field goal to show for Utah in the first quarter, a 34-yard try from Dillon Curtis, before the Jayhawks responded in the second. Daniel Hishaw, who was really impressive in the game, scored on a seven-yard run to take the lead 7-3.
That touchdown fired up Utah’s offense to respond, and respond they did. While the Utes are known for their dominant rushing attack, the passing game was lethal on Friday, with the first score of the day coming on a 58-yard touchdown pass from Devon Dampier, where the New Mexico transfer faked a run and found a wide-open JJ Buchanan across the middle of the field.
Dampier’s heroics wouldn’t stop there, however, as he tossed three touchdown passes and more than 250 yards through the air on the day. The same cannot be said for Jalon Daniels, who in his final game as a Jayhawk posted a statline of 10 completions for 187 yards with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1-3. While Daniels isn’t the sole reason for the loss, it’s hard to find someone more deserving.
With the Jayhawks leading 14-10 late in the third quarter and threatening to score, Daniels made one of the most bone-headed throws of the year on a scramble drill play that he elected to throw the ball directly at a Utah defensive back standing in the end zone rather than throwing it away.
The Utes thanked Daniels on their way to a score just a few plays later, with Dampier hitting Larry Simmons on a 28-yard strike to take the lead. Then, the play that ultimately sealed Kansas’ fate took place with the Jayhawks trailing Utah 14-14. Jalon Daniels rifled one toward his receiver on a rub route, and it was chaos from the start. No one was home other than Utah’s Elijah Davis, who picked the ball off and returned it to the crib, a 97-yard pick-six.
In the end, Utah cruised to its 10th win of the season while the Jayhawks failed to reach a bowl game for the second-straight season. For the Utes, all eyes turn toward the College Football Playoff committee as they await word of how their season will continue from here. For Kansas, all eyes turn toward the transfer portal and the offseason.
