No. 6 Utah extends pick-6 streak, rolls in blowout victory over Cincinnati on Halloween

CINCINNATI — By the time the clock hit zeros at the halftime break Saturday afternoon, a majority of Nippert Stadium was empty.

Halloween parties, at that point, seemed more interesting for the home crowd.

No. 6 Utah was in full control on the road against a Cincinnati team coming off a top-10 win over Texas Tech the week prior and completely outmatched the Bearcats on both sides of the ball. It was all treats for the Utes, who took a 42-6 lead at the halftime break en route to a 49-25 win over the Bearcats on Halloween.

Elijah "Scooby" Davis capped off a dominant first-half performance for the Utes with a jumped route against Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV and picked off the pass to take it all the way back for a score to extend Utah's longest active pick-six streak in FBS. With the score, Utah has now gone 23 straight seasons with a pick six.

Davis' score was the second defensive score of the first half for the Utes, who got a 51-yard scoop-and-score from Rabbit Evans. The starting safety picked up a forced fumble by Ethan Day and took it to the end zone to give Utah a 21-3 lead to start the second quarter.

But it wasn't all just defense in the first half.

Utah scored a touchdown on all four of its possessions in a balanced offensive showing behind 82 first-half rushing yards by Wayshawn Parker — including a 64-yard run — and 95 receiving yards between Hunter Andrews and Braden Pegan.

Devon Dampier was an efficient 15-of-16 for 135 yards and two touchdowns, including 48 rushing yards, in the first half, and became the all-time leading rusher at Utah at the quarterback position with his effort.

Dampier finished his day throwing for 260 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 22-of-29 passing, before Utah turned to backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin in the fourth quarter.

Cincinnati (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) had its moments Saturday, including a few deep passes to move the ball quickly into Utah's territory, but the defense held firm for much of the night and held the Bearcats to three field goal attempts in the first half (Cincinnati made two field goals). Utah remains the only team in the country to not allow a touchdown in the first quarter this season.

That all changed a bit in the third quarter, though.

Midway through the third quarter, the Bearcats got a pick six of their own on a Dampier bubble screen pass attempt. Cincinnati's Jacob Finley quickly picked off the pass and took it the distance for a 79-yard score for Cincinnati.

But Cincinnati wasn't done there. After being stopped on third down at midfield, Utah was flagged for a defensive pass interference call on fourth down, which gave the Bearcats new life. On the next play, Cole Tabb escaped and went untouched for a 48-yard rushing touchdown.

Utah answered back on the ensuing possession when Dampier connected with Andrews on a deep shot that went for a 59-yard touchdown — his second score of day — to add to the lead.

Andrews topped all receivers with 112 yards and two touchdowns on five catches. His effort contributed to Utah putting up 534 total yards of offense over Cincinnati, who finished with 456 total yards.

French ended the afternoon game throwing for 263 and an interception on 16-of-30 passing, while Tabb rushed for 131 yards and a score on 14 carries.

This story will be updated.