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Utah QB Devon Dampier, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, and QB Byrd Ficklin
Most offensive coordinators probably appreciate feedback from the rest of their coaching staff when designing the first play of a game. Utah offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven apparently prefers to hear everyone say “Absolutely not” and then call the play anyway.
McGiven told Utah’s coaches Friday that he planned to open against Arkansas with a two-quarterback double pass and was repeatedly told not to do it. He remained unmoved, and the next night Devon Dampier tossed the ball backward to backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin, who launched it across the field to Wayshawn Parker for a 36-yard gain on Utah’s first offensive snap.
Kevin McGiven Basically Said ‘I’m Doing It’ And Did It
Dampier’s description of the coaching debate is incredible.
During Friday’s offensive meeting, McGiven announced the double pass was going into the game plan. The response from his colleagues was essentially unanimous opposition.
“He was like, ‘I’m doing it,’ and all the coaches are like, ‘No, you’re not. No, you’re not,’” Dampier told the Deseret News.
McGiven apparently slept on that advice and woke up even more committed. Dampier said the coordinator arrived at the team meeting Saturday morning and announced: “We’re running it. If I say it, I’m about what I say.”
On the first snap, Dampier fired the ball roughly five yards backward toward Ficklin near the left sideline. Ficklin then unloaded across the field to Parker for 36 yards before an Arkansas defender finally dragged him down.
Utah cookin’ up in the playbook 🔥
Ficklin with a 36yd pass to Parker !!
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/lgj9HJ6l4i
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 13, 2026
That is an unbelievable level of commitment to winning an argument with your coworkers.
The play also immediately produced exactly the result McGiven was imagining when everyone else was trying to talk him out of it. Utah eventually finished the drive with a touchdown and never really stopped tormenting Arkansas from there.
Utah Kept Using Both Quarterbacks Because Apparently One Was Too Easy
The first play was not a one-time gimmick.
Ficklin caught an 11-yard pass from Dampier later on the opening possession. Utah also ran a play where Ficklin handed the ball to Dampier, who pitched it back to Ficklin for a first down.
At various points, Dampier would threaten to run before throwing at the last possible moment. Ficklin lined up all over the formation. Head coach Morgan Scalley acknowledged afterward that some of the concepts would have looked overly cute if they failed.
They did not.
The official box score shows No. 20 Utah piled up 442 yards in a 43-10 demolition of Arkansas. Dampier threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns, while Ficklin officially finished 2-of-4 passing for 40 yards and added another receiving threat whenever both quarterbacks shared the field.
McGiven is in his first season coordinating Utah’s offense after spending 2025 at Utah State, and through two games he has shown almost no interest in easing into the job with a conservative playbook.
Utah scored 66 points against Idaho in the opener and then hung 43 on an SEC team.
The Utes now have two quarterbacks capable of running, catching and throwing, plus an offensive coordinator apparently willing to call whatever strange thing enters his head.