The undefeated Utes bring a top-ten offense and suffocating defense to Ames. Discover how quarterback Devon Dampier leads the No. 15-ranked squad into this pivotal Big 12 showdown.
After a dominant 55-7 win in week three against the Bowling Green Falcons in their return home to Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State (2-1) will stay in Ames for Week 4 as the Cyclones face off against No. 15 Utah (3-0). This game, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., marks as Iowa State's first in-conference matchup of the season.
We will give give more in depth analysis of the Utah as we head towards game day, but until then, here are five fast facts about the Utes.
Utah enters Big 12 play undefeated and ranked No. 15
After a 3-0 start to the season, the Utah Utes will be playing their first in-conference game of the season against Iowa State. The Utes have dominated in their first three games of the season as they have faced Idaho, Arkansas, and Utah State. This impressive start to the season has put the as No. 15 in the latest AP Poll.
Utah’s defense is elite
A big reason for the dominant start to the season for the Utes is this elite defense. Over the past three games, Utah has allowed only 24 total points (average of eight points per game), with the only team to score more than 10 points on them being the Idaho Vandals in Week 1.
In their most recent game against Utah State, Utah was able to shut out the Aggies with a score of 33-0, holding quarterback Grady Brosterhous to just 130 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception on 29 pass attempts - a completion percentage of just 51.7%.
Numbers on offense
Utah's offense averages 47.3 points (9th nationally) and 518.0 total yards per game (11th nationally) through three games this season. The Utes have proven in the last three games that they can pick you apart in the air and dominate on the ground, averaging 285.3 passing yards and 232.7 rushing yards. This has led to dominating wins: 66-14 over Idaho, 43-10 over Arkansas, and 33-0 over Utah State.
Quarterback on fire
The commander of the Utah offense has had a hot start to the season. Quarterback Devon Dampier has kicked off the season in spectacular fashion, racking up 690 passing yards and seven touchdowns while connecting on 71.6% of his passes. He also has a quarterback rating of 80.6, putting him fourth in the Big 12, only behind Michael Hawkins Jr. (WVU), Noah Fifita (ARIZ), and Avery Johnson (KSU).
Big 12 record
Since entering the Big 12 in 2024, Utah has gone 9-9 against Big 12 competition. In 2024, it went 2–7, and in 2025 it went 7–2, with their only matchup against Iowa State since entering the Big 12 being a 31-28 loss in Salt Lake City on November 23, 2024.
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