Shanna Rose I WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.- The Big 12 portion of the schedule is not beginning well for West Virginia, as the Mountaineers lost 48-14 to Utah at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Utes (4-1, 1-1) scored touchdowns on four of their five first-half possessions while the Mountaineers (2-3, 0-2) struggled offensively in the first half.
Devon Dampier threw a career-high four touchdown passes and ran for another for Utah. He completed 21-of-26 for 237 yards while Ryan Davis had seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Dampier led the Utes to an early 7-0 lead with a 7-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan. After another failed possession by the Mountaineers, Utah moved the ball down the field 55 yards and Dampier’s 7-yard rush pushed the lead to 14-0.
The Mountaineers were missing several players, including quarterback Nicco Marchiol. Jaylen Henderson got the start and struggled to move the offense. He was 3-for-7 for 22 yards and WVU had 90 yards of total offense at the end of the half.
In the third quarter Khalil Wilkins came in for Henderson and showed some promise moving the ball. He picked up 17 yards for a first down and then on fourth down picked up 10 more. Two plays later he found Cam Vaughn in the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown pass.
However, the Utes had an answer when Dillon Curtis hit a 33-yard field with 5:18 left to take a 38-7 lead.
Utah made 30 first downs, had 532 yards of offense and never punted the entire afternoon.
The Mountaineers have been outscored 89-24 in two Big 12 games and the challenges continue next week when WVU plays at No. 25 BYU on Friday night.
Photo Credit: Kelsie LeRose, WVSN
