Utah was the last remaining undefeated team in the Big 12 heading into its late-night bout versus Houston on Saturday.

With a win, the Utes would become the odds-on favorite to win their conference.

A loss? The Big 12 standings would become that much more confusing and convoluted.

BYU lost in a double-overtime thriller to UCF. Texas Tech was boat-raced on the road by Cincinnati, giving both the Red Raiders and Utah’s in-state rival their first losses of the year.

The Utes, though, didn’t join them in the one-loss club.

Jackson Bennee’s strip sack set up a Devon Damper touchdown, and the Utes beat No. 14 Houston 21-13 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Utah is now 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Big 12, with a clear path to be the best team in the conference.

Here are three takeaways from the win.

Devon Dampier or nothing

Utah’s star quarterback Devon Dampier has been more selective about how he uses his legs this season.

That changed against Houston.

He had 198 rushing yards coming into this game. He had 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Cougars.

Dampier was the Utes’ only semblance of offense in the first two quarters. He accounted for 176 of Utah’s 194 total first-half yards. But he also threw an interception on a key first-half possession that could have resulted in at least a field goal for Utah.

The trend continued into the third quarter.

Dampier scored Utah’s first touchdown of the night on a 22-yard scramble with 4:25 remaining in the third quarter, cutting Houston’s lead to 10-7.

He willed the Utes to another score early in the fourth quarter, connecting with tailback Wayshawn Parker for back-to-back 13-yard receptions.

Parker later broke the plane on a five-yard run up the middle, giving the U. a 14-13 lead with 11:57 remaining.

Dampier threw a second pick with 7:57 remaining, but Utah’s defense bowed up for another stop, setting Dampier up for another rushing touchdown.

A defensive battle

The Cougars played in a shootout against Oklahoma State last week.

That wasn’t the case against the Utes ... at least in the first half.

Defensive coordinator Colton Swan’s unit had two key red-zone stops, which included a turnover on downs with 3:45 left in the first quarter.

Swan’s unit came up with another crucial play on third-and-goal in the second quarter. Houston quarterback Connor Weigman overthrew wide receiver Trent Walker in the end zone, leaving Houston with three points.

For the first time all season, Utah’s offense didn’t score any points in the first half. Dampier and the Utes went 0-for-2 in the red zone in the first half — trips that ended with an ill-advised interception and a shanked field goal seconds before halftime.

Utah’s defense continued to deliver in the second half with multiple key stops — none bigger than Bennee’s blitz with Utah holding on to a 14-13 lead. Bennee knocked the ball free from Weigman, and the Utes recovered the fumble.

On the next play, Dampier was celebrating in the end zone.

Wayshawn Parker is stymied ... then scores

Utah running back Wayshawn Parker has been the biggest piece of the Utes’ offense this season.

And the Cougars’ defense keyed in on him all night.

Parker was held to 16 rushing yards in the first half. But he delivered when it mattered. With a little over 12 minutes remaining in the fourth, Parker took a direct snap and danced his way past the goal line for a five-yard touchdown, giving Utah a 14-13 lead.

He finished with 47 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving.

Next up: The Utes will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats next Saturday.