GAME RECAP AND TOP PHOTOS: Utah Runs Away with Las Vegas Bowl, Defeats Nebraska for First Vegas Bowl Win since 2015

LAS VEGAS, CA — Devon Dampier put on a show in his final game of the 2025 season, accounting for five total touchdowns as No. 15 Utah overpowered Nebraska 44-22 in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve at Allegiant Stadium.

The Utes (11-2) closed the year with a statement win, riding a relentless ground attack that piled up big chunks of yardage and wore down a Nebraska defense missing several key pieces due to opt-outs and injuries. Utah rushed for well over 300 yards on the night, repeatedly gashing the Cornhuskers up the middle and on the edges while controlling both lines of scrimmage after halftime.

Nebraska (7-6) hung tough early behind a pair of first-quarter scores, but the Huskers managed just eight points over the final three quarters as freshman quarterback TJ Lateef faced constant pressure and the running game stalled.

The Cornhuskers struck first on an impressive opening drive, going 82 yards in eight plays. Mekhi Nelson broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run to put Nebraska ahead 7-0 less than four minutes into the contest.

Utah needed only six plays to answer. Dampier scrambled for key gains before punching in a 2-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 7-7.

Lateef responded with poise, finding Jacory Barney Jr. for a touchdown late in the opening quarter to reclaim the lead at 14-7.

From there, it was all Utes.

Dampier connected with Las Vegas native JJ Buchanan on a 20-yard strike early in the second quarter to tie it again. Kicker Dillion Curtis split the uprights from 28 yards to give Utah its first lead at 17-14. Then, with 20 seconds left in the half, Dampier kept it himself on an 11-yard scamper to the pylon, sending the Utes into the locker room up 24-14 after a dominant 17-0 second quarter.

Utah never looked back.

NaQuari Rogers capped a 75-yard third-quarter march with a 3-yard plunge to make it 31-14. Dampier added his third rushing touchdown of the night moments later, extending the margin to 38-14.

Nebraska finally found the end zone again when Lateef hurdled a defender on a 7-yard keeper and hit Quinn Clark for the two-point conversion, cutting it to 38-22 with under two minutes remaining.

The Utes answered immediately. Dampier dropped a perfect 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallen Bentley on the ensuing possession, pushing the lead to 44-22 (the extra point sailed wide).

Utah’s defense slammed the door from there, forcing a quick three-and-out and running out the clock.

Player of the Game: Devon Dampier. The dual-threat signal-caller shredded Nebraska’s defense with his legs and arm, finishing with three rushing touchdowns, two passing scores, and well over 300 yards of total offense. His performance capped a breakout sophomore campaign and provided a resounding exclamation point heading into the offseason.

Notable Performances

• NaQuari Rogers, Utah RB: Physical running, including a third-quarter touchdown.
• Dallen Bentley, Utah TE: 17-yard TD reception.
• TJ Lateef, Nebraska QB: Showed flashes with a rushing TD and two-point completion at the end of the 4th.
• Mekhi Nelson & Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska: Each scored in the first quarter but were quiet thereafter.

By the Numbers

• Utah outscored Nebraska 30-8 after the first quarter.
• The Utes controlled time of possession in the second half, grinding out long, clock-eating drives.
• First Las Vegas Bowl win for Utah since 2015.

Interim head coach Morgan Scalley — who guided the program after Kyle Whittingham’s departure — earns his first bowl victory and sends Utah into 2026 with momentum. For Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers, the season ends at 7-6 with a second consecutive bowl appearance but clear areas for improvement on both lines.

The lights on the Strip shine a little brighter for the Utes tonight. Utah finishes 2025 with 11 wins and a decisive bowl triumph, setting the stage for big expectations in the Big 12 next fall.