Las Vegas – Nebraska could not sustain a strong start, as No. 15 Utah posted a 44-22 victory over Nebraska in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

The Huskers (7-6) scored on their first two possessions and led 14-7 after one quarter. Utah took control behind quarterback Devon Dampier, who accounted for more than 450 yards of total offense and five touchdowns.

Dampier completed 19-of-31 passes for 310 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 148 yards and three TDs as Utah finished its season with an 11-2 record.

For Nebraska, redshirt freshman Mekhi Nelson took advantage of his first career start replacing All-American Emmett Johnson. Nelson rushed 12 times for a career-high 88 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown run. He added 48 receiving yards on three catches.  

True freshman Isaiah Mozee had 32 yards rushing and hauled in four passes for 38 yards.

True freshman quarterback TJ Lateef completed 15-of-28 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for another score for the Huskers.

Nebraska struck first on an eight-play, 82-yard opening drive, capped by a 38-yard run into the end zone by Nelson, who had 58 yards on the ground on NU’s first drive.

Utah responded right away, tying the score on Dampier’s two-yard touchdown run. 

Nebraska regained the lead at 14-7 by going 75 yards on 12 plays capped by an eight-yard reception from Jacory Barney Jr. The drive included 24- and 16-yard runs by Nelson and Isaiah Mozee, respectively, and a 4th-and-1 conversion by Kwinten Ives.

The Utes tied the game on a nine-play, 74-yard drive. The Big Red forced a 3rd and 20 after an intentional grounding penalty, but Utah scored on the next play, as Dampier found JJ Buchanan on a 20-yard touchdown pass.

The Utes took the lead at 17-14 after converting a 4th-and-4 as part of a 10-play, 50-yard scoring drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal from Dillon Curtis.

Dampier scored his second touchdown of the day, capping a 10-play, 74-yard drive to extend Utah’s lead to 24-14 going into the half. 

The Utes opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive to make the score 31-14. They only reached third down once on the drive and averaged 7.5 yards per play. Dampier added his third touchdown of the day to conclude a nine-play, 51-yard drive that extended the Utah advantage to 38-14. 

Dampier’s third touchdown pass of the day, a 17-yard throw to Dallen Bentley, capped a 95-yard scoring drive. Bently totaled 106 receiving yards on six catches, as Utah outgained the Huskers, 535-343.

The Huskers made it 44-22 with 1:55 remaining on Lateef’s seven-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play drive, before Lateef found Quinn Clark on the two-point conversion for the final margin. Â