Parker rushed for a career-high 174 yards and two TDs on 18 carries and caught five passes for 65 yards and a score for the Utes (4-0, 1-0 Big 12), who are unbeaten through four games for the third time in four years.

“No one is going to put on their resume they were 4-0 at one point; it’s how you finish,” Utah coach Morgan Scalley said. “As awesome as that sounds, no one cares. We have things to correct. These guys played hard and played physical football against a physical team. A road win heading into a bye week is awesome.”

Jaylen Raynor got the Cyclones (2-2, 0-1) within 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, scoring on an 8-yard run and throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Overby after Overby had stretched the ball over the line to convert a fourth-and-12 on the previous play.

The Utes punted on their first three series of the second half and then put away the Cyclones with a 61-yard drive ending with Devon Dampier’s 13-yard TD pass to Parker and Jackson Bennett’s interception on the first play of Iowa State’s ensuing possession.

Parker led a Utah rushing attack that finished with 206 yards, and Dampier was 18 of 27 for 206 yards and two TDs.

“When it comes down to playing a team like that, that puts you in space, you have to stop their quarterback,” ISU coach Jimmy Rogers said. “And their running back is elite. Us not being able to tackle led to this. You can’t give up 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing and expect to win.”

Raynor was 21 of 40 for 205 yards for Iowa State and Aiden Flora ran 13 times for 54 yards and caught five balls for 53.

On the Utes’ first touchdown, Dampier went into motion as Parker took a direct snap. Parker turned as if he would pitch the ball to Dampier and then bounced to his left, avoided diving safety Duhron Goodman and outran two other defenders to the end zone.

Braden Pegan caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Dampier, and Parker’s 1-yard run put the Utes up 24-3 at half.

“He is a complete back, which is why NFL scouts love this kid,” Scalley said of Parker. “Wayshawn is the guy that really sets the tone. He sets the tone for practice, he sets the tone for the game. For him to have success early was huge.”

The Takeaway

Utah: The Utes have scored 30 or more points in 10 straight games, the longest active streak in the FBS of games scoring 30-plus points.

Iowa State: The Cyclones’ offense couldn’t find a rhythm early and failed to convert a third down on seven attempts in the first half.

Up next

Utah: Hosts Kansas on Oct. 10.

Iowa State: Hosts West Virginia next Saturday.