The Utes are back in the Associated Press Top 25 after drubbing UCLA 43-10 to open the 2025 season. Utah checks in on this week’s poll firmly at No. 25 — though only moving up two spots for a 33-point road win against a former conference rival.

Utah returns to the writers’ poll for the first time since Oct. 6, 2024. The Utes started last season 4-0 but quickly dropped out of the poll on the way to a 5-7 season.

The Associated Press also named Utah quarterback Devon Dampier its runner-up for national player of the week.

“The transfer from New Mexico completed 21 of 25 passes for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards and a score on 16 carries in a 43-10 win over UCLA,” the AP wrote. “The third-year player from Phoenix gave the Utes’ offense, which ranked 115th last season, a desperately needed spark. He came in with strong credentials after leading the Mountain West Conference in total offense.

Utah opens its home slate this week, hosting Cal Poly (1-0) out of the Big Sky at 4 p.m. Saturday. That will stream on ESPN+.

BYU, meanwhile, stayed put with the 26th-most poll points, just outside the top 25 as the team Utah leapfrogged, after barely working up a sweat to beat Portland State 69-0.

For his effort in the win, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier was named the Big 12 freshman of the week. Bachmeier accounted for five touchdowns, only playing the first half, to become the first true freshman quarterback to start a season-opener for the Cougars. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also had five carries for 32 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

BYU remains at home to host Stanford (0-1), where Bachmeier spent spring camp, at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.