Two of the most important pieces to the success of Utah’s 2025 season are brand new.
But to them, it doesn’t feel that way.
Even though offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier are both at a new school and under a new head coach, for Beck, the familiarity of Dampier at quarterback is making the transition much easier.
A year ago, the two combined for one of the nation’s most productive offenses, skyrocketing New Mexico to No. 4 in FBS at 484.2 yards per game.
Dampier was the engine that made Beck’s quarterback-run-heavy, run-pass option spread system go, racking up 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air and 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
For comparison, without Cam Rising for much of the season, Utah ranked No. 155 in total offense, gaining just 329.8 yards per game.
The million-dollar question for the Utes is this — just how much can Beck and Dampier improve an offense that has struggled so much in the last two seasons?
With an average offensive performance last season, Utah could have easily won at least a couple more games than it did in its first losing season since 2013, which is why the Utes have overhauled their offense completely as they head into their second year in the Big 12.
After years under former offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, there’s going to be a learning curve and growing pain in learning a new system, but having Dampier, who already knows the system very well, is helping things along.
“With Dev, it’s a nice, easier start. It’s like having a returning starter for you at the quarterback spot, even though it’s with a new team,” Beck said.
The success of an entire football team is never on only one person, but Dampier will hold a lot of weight on his shoulders in terms of the success of the Ute offense.
The junior quarterback is well aware of the importance of reviving Utah’s offense, and started the process of building chemistry — even off of the field — with his teammates long before spring football started.
“It’s just that brotherhood. I make sure I talk to all those boys. I make sure we go out every week. We just make sure we just talk outside of football. We play football all day, so just being able to get to know guys outside of here, that’s really important to me,” Dampier said.
Whether it’s going out to eat with teammates or playing video games with his offensive line, Dampier’s leadership has been invaluable early on, which is why he was named to the school’s spring leadership committee before even taking an official practice snap.
“He is the leader of the offense as far as knowing what to do and making sure everyone else knows what they’re doing,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.
“He made the leadership council. Only been having here two or three weeks, we had the leadership council vote and he is on that and I would assume that at some point he’ll be a ...
