Devon Dampier often channels his favorite superhero.
The University of Utah quarterback poses for pictures while shooting imaginary webs from his wrists. He owns a pair of red and blue Spider-Man earrings. And, on the field, he relies on his own “Spidey Sense” to evade tacklers and find gaps in opposing defenses.
But like every superhero’s story arc, there have been setbacks along the way.
“The Devon you guys have seen this year is a shell of what he is,” Curtis Dampier said of the bumps and bruises his son has dealt with during his first season in Salt Lake City. “Sometimes it hurts to see him out there, especially when he’s limping.”
Other times, though, watching the Utes’ Spider has been amazing.
Before Dampier and No. 12 Utah celebrated a wild 51-47 win over Kansas State on Saturday night, Curtis and Kesha Dampier watched anxiously from their seats in Section 36 of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Down three points in the game’s final minutes, the Utes were staring at a fourth-and-one that could make or break their season. One play to keep its Big 12 Championship hopes alive. One play to keep the Utes in the mix for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“Man, we just have to go for it,” Curtis said, wearing his son’s jersey underneath a black jacket.
As Dampier broke out of the huddle, he motioned Wayshawn Parker across the line. He took the snap and faked a handoff. Then Dampier bolted forward, almost tripping on one of his offensive linemen before regaining his balance and dashing down the sideline.
(Tyler Tate | AP) Utah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the football for a first down during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Salt Lake City.
When the Utes needed 1 yard, Dampier gave them 59, all the way down to the 4-yard line.
“He still has to score,” his parents kept reminding themselves, amid the roar of the 51,444 fans cheering under the yellow haze of the stadium lights.
Kesha kept nervously standing up and then sitting back down. “It was hard to watch,” she said. Then she added, “I knew he could do it. He lives for this.”
On the field, Dampier looked in charge.
“My confidence is definitely higher when the rest of the group believes in me to make those plays,” he said.
But the odds looked stacked against the Utes for a while. When Kansas State went up by 10 points with six minutes remaining, Utah had less than 3% chance to win the game, according to ESPN’s metrics. Those odds surely dropped as Utah was stuffed on its first two plays after Dampier’s long run.
But none of that mattered to Dampier.
Needing half a yard to keep his team’s playoff dreams alive, Dampier grasped the pigskin in both palms before bulldozing through his offensive line and into the crimson end zone of Utah’s home stadium.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham described the spectacle as “one for the ages.”
“It was surreal,” Utah’s head coach said. “It was just a moment that you can’t even dream up. When it happens, you just have to enjoy it.”
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) following a win over Cal Poly, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Dampier would finish with 353 total yards and four touchdowns and a signature win for the season.
“That’s my heavyweight,” Kesha said of the moment. “I call him a heavyweight because he’s always going to get through. He’s gonna carry whoever he has to get through the end zone.”
And nothing — no bump, bruise or nagging injury — was going to stop him from delivering.
“It means a lot to just wear the uniform,” Dampier said, wearing a grin behind the podium on Saturday. “I’m proud to be part of that group. So any day I’m able to suit up and be with my boys, I’m gonna give it my all.”
Dampier’s been doing that all season. Behind the scenes, the junior quarterback has been battling a nagging ankle injury, rendering him less than 100% for most of the campaign.
In practices, Dampier has been forced to take mental reps, resting his body when and where he can before being integrated later in the week.
He had to miss a game versus Colorado to get healthy. Against Baylor, he was clearly limited. And on Saturday, both of his ankles were held taut by signature Utah-red tape.
“It’s definitely been really hard,” Kesha said. “It took a toll on him for a little bit, but he’s bounced back.”
“I’m grateful he finally had the chance to do what he did today,” Curtis said.
As Dampier walked off the field — his black jersey tattered and beaten after the comeback win — he met a pair of young Utah fans begging for his autograph.
“You guys were my good luck charm,” Dampier said to the young Utes fans, who looked at him like a superhero.
And on Saturday, he delivered like a figure larger than life.
“He’s a warrior,” Kesha said of her son. “That’s who he is. He’s always going to fight until the end.”