Parker’s 90-yard touchdown helps Utah pull away from Kansas, 41-24

Wayshawn Parker ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night, including a 90-yard score in the fourth quarter, as No. 12 Utah beat Kansas 41-24 in Salt Lake City. The Utes improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12 after a game that remained within three points entering the final period.

Kansas had reduced Utah’s lead to 27-24 when Isaiah Marshall found Nik McMillan for a 29-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left in the third quarter. Devon Dampier answered by moving the Utes 75 yards and finding Semi Taulanga for a one-yard touchdown with 10:45 remaining.

The Jayhawks then reached the Utah goal line with a chance to keep pressure on the unbeaten home team. Utah stopped Kansas on fourth down at its own one, and Parker soon broke free for the 90-yard touchdown that stretched the lead to 17 points with 7:13 left.

Parker carried 16 times and averaged 10.7 yards per attempt. His first touchdown came on a five-yard run in the opening quarter. Dampier added a 12-yard rushing score on Utah’s next possession, helping the Utes establish a 14-0 lead before Kansas found its offense.

Dampier completed 23 of 30 passes for 238 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception. Ricky Johnson caught five passes for 104 yards, including a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Dampier’s other scoring pass went to Nate Bennee from six yards out in the second quarter.

Kansas recovered from the early deficit by creating short fields. David Santiago forced and recovered a Dampier fumble deep in Utah territory, setting up Marshall’s three-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Edwards. Marshall later scored on a six-yard run, and a Dampier interception gave the Jayhawks another possession before Martin Connington’s 34-yard field goal cut the halftime deficit to 21-17.

Those plays prevented Utah’s early offensive success from producing a comfortable halftime margin. The Utes had scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, but their second-quarter turnovers kept Kansas in the game and made the fourth-quarter defensive stand consequential.

Marshall finished with 333 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Cam Pickett caught eight passes for 134 yards, while McMillan added 89 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Kansas generated 391 total yards, but only 58 came on the ground.

Utah’s final box score credited the offense with 545 yards and 31 first downs. The Utes rushed for 287 yards and held the ball for 39:04, controlling possession even as Kansas repeatedly closed the scoring gap. Both teams committed 10 penalties, and Utah finished with two turnovers to Kansas’ one.

The final quarter gave Utah room to finish a game that had been competitive for most of the second half. Kansas fell to 2-3 and 0-2 in conference play and visits Kansas State next Saturday. Utah travels to Colorado.

Sources

ESPN final statistics and scoring · Via ESPN