Nothing like a late night in the desert (after a turbulent morning).
In one of the most thrilling games of the 2026 season, No. 2 Utah remains undefeated − barely − getting past No. 21 Arizona 40-39 in a contest that features big plays and seven lead changes.
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The weekend was already a turbulent one for the Utes; they were one of several teams affected by the Federal Aviation Administration’s nationwide ground stoppage on Friday, Nov. 13. By the time it was lifted, Utah unable to leave Salt Lake City the day before the game due to the pilot’s timing out.
So, the game was pushed back from a 5:30 p.m. local start to 8:30 p.m., with Utah arriving in Tucson roughly six hours before kickoff.
Not a lot of time to go through the full gameday prep, but no problem for the Utes, who got all they could handle from their former Pac-12 mate.
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
From die-hard alumni to lifelong fans, these celebrities have made memorable appearances at college football games across the country.
Above, Texas superfan Matthew McConaughey leaves the field following a game at Cotton Bowl on October 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
1 / 14
Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
From die-hard alumni to lifelong fans, these celebrities have made memorable appearances at college football games across the country.
Above, Texas superfan Matthew McConaughey leaves the field following a game at Cotton Bowl on October 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Actor Glen Powell takes selfie with fans prior to the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(Johnnie Izquierdo, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Morgan Freeman walks to the stage as the guest picker during ESPN’s College GameDay in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. The GameDay visit for the Ole Miss-LSU game marks the return of head coach Lane Kiffin since leaving Ole Miss.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledg, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Actor and College Gameday guest picker Johnny Knoxville reacts prior to the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas Longhorns at Neyland Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(Johnnie Izquierdo, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Rap artist Bun B leads the Houston Cougars onto the field before the game against the UCF Knights at TDECU Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs attends a game between the Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on October 10, 2026 in Columbia, Missouri.
(Ed Zurga, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
UFC Fighter Raul Rosas Jr. attends a game between the ULNV Rebels and the North Dakota State Bison at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Louis Grasse, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
U.S. President Donald Trump, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) (L) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) appear on a video screen while attending the Texas-Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Trump, who has attended more college football games than any recent sitting president, attended the game between the No. 1 Longhorns and the No. 14. Volunteers, one of the biggest matchups in the country this weekend.
(Tom Brenner, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Texas Governor Greg Abbott in attendance for the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl on October 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Marqise Lee attends the game between the Southern California Trojans and the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Pittsburgh Panthers former basketball head coach Jamie Dixon in attendance as the Panthers host the UCF Knights at Acrisure Stadium.
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Pittsburgh Panthers former running back and 1976 Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett in attendance as the Panthers host the North Carolina Tar Heels at Acrisure Stadium.
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Caitlin Clark joins ESPN’s “College GameDay” as the guest picker Oct. 3, 2026 in downtown Iowa City, Iowa.
(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Cit, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Famous college football fans and celebrities on the sideline in photos
Matthew McConaughey looks on during the first half between Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the second quarter as the upset was brewing. Arizona’s Noah Fifita was slinging it all across the field with a 356-yard passing performance that included three touchdowns.
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Any time Utah responded, the Wildcats punched back.
In the final minutes, Noah Fifita found Isaiah Mizell for the go-ahead touchdown to go up 39-33. For a moment, it looked like the Utes were about to lose.
Then Utah’s Superman came through again. Quarterback Devon Dampier capped off a magnificent outing by hitting Creed Whittemore near midfield for a catch-and run touchdown of 70 yards with just under three minutes to go. Needing a stop to madness, Utah’s defense found its form, stopping the Wildcats on fourth down to get the ball back.
All Utah needed left was the dagger, and of course, Dampier delivered. He used his legs to get the much-needed first down, sealing the win with another statistical explosion.
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He threw for 204 yards in the air and 100 more on the ground, accounting for four total touchdowns in a performance worthy of a trip for New York City and the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Just one of two undefeated teams left in the country along UCLA, Utah has inched closer to its first College Football Playoff spot with another ranked win
The Utes are 10-0 for the first time since 2008, that same magical season that put them on the map as the first Bowl Championship Series buster.
Now 16 years later, they are back again for a whole lot more.
