Boulder, Colo. • With 3:42 remaining in the third quarter, Colorado kicker Elliot Arnold hit a 32-yard field goal to give the Buffaloes a 17-13 lead over Utah.

At that point, the Utes were officially on upset watch. A dangerous place to be on a Saturday when five of the top seven teams in the AP poll lost.

The field goal had been set up when quarterback Devon Dampier threw an ill-advised interception while rolling right on Utah’s previous offensive possession.

But it wasn’t just Dampier who was struggling.

The Utes’ defense had just watched old friend Isaac Wilson lead Colorado on two scoring drives in the third quarter, accounting for 14 points.

It was the first time Utah had trailed all season.

The Utes found some answers — and had one Colorado prayer go unanswered — to escape Boulder with a 27-24 win.

Wilson’s Hail Mary attempt in the final seconds came up empty, and Utah stayed perfect at 6-0 on the season.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Devon Dampier overcomes struggles

Dampier struggled against Colorado’s secondary.

He threw two interceptions in the game, but he delivered when his team needed him most.

Down 17-13, Dampier and Utah’s offense had their backs against the wall on third-and-10 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter.

Dampier connected with a streaking Creed Whittemore down the left sideline for a 43-yard gain, breathing new life into the U.’s offense.

He found Braden Pegan a few plays later for a 16-yard touchdown, bouncing back from his interception on the previous drive.

Then, late in the fourth quarter, Dampier dropped a ball into Whittemore for a 25-yard gain that set up a touchdown pass to Pegan.

Utah’s offense struggles to find pay dirt in the red zone

Utah’s offense had five possessions in the first half, controlling the ball for more than 22 minutes

But the Utes entered halftime with only a 13-0 lead. As Scalley has said all season, “the burden of execution” is on the offense.

Well, in the first half, the Utes just weren’t executing — at least not in the red zone.

After safety Rabbit Evans came up with an interception before halftime, a sack of Dampier forced Utah to settle for a field goal.

The Utes had gone on a nine-play, 72-yard drive on the previous possession, but Dampier threw an interception on a shovel pass.

On their second possession of the night, the Utes and Dampier went on a 17-play drive that ended in a field goal.

Utah’s lone touchdown of the half came on its opening drive, when Dampier connected with tight end Hunter Andrews for an 8-yard score.

Utah’s defense dominates ... then falls apart

Utah’s defense was awfully rude to its former quarterback. Well, at least in the first half.

Colorado’s offense only generated 70 yards of total offense in the first half. The Buffs were also 0-for-3 on third downs at the break.

Their fortunes changed on the opening possession of the second half, when Wilson found his footing and connected with halfback JaQuail Smith for a 68-yard score.

CU continued its momentum, scoring again on a 19-yard rushing touchdown before adding a field goal two possessions later.

Wilson nearly completed the comeback, too, leading a long touchdown drive in the final minutes before getting a chance to win the game with a Hail Mary.

Next up: The Utes will return home to take on No. 20 Houston (5-1) next Saturday in Salt Lake City.