Noah Bennee’s first two games in a Utah uniform have turned heads, and the former Weber State tight end is wasting no time settling in. He leads the Utes in receiving yards through two games, a start few could have seen coming, and he says the experience has been every bit as good as the production suggests.
For Bennee, the biggest thing right now is staying locked in on what comes next. Utah held a lighter physical practice on Monday, and he said the focus was more mental as the Utes turned their attention to Utah State.
“Great. Today wasn't much of a physical practice, but we tried to lock in mentally and prepare for Utah State.
They look like a great program and are well coached, so I'm excited to keep preparing. They're a good program, and I love a good fight.”
That matchup has a little extra meaning for Bennee, who said he enjoys seeing in-state teams square off. He hasn’t played Utah State before, but he’s eager for the chance.
“I love the in-state teams playing each other. So us playing Utah State, I personally have never played them, so I'm excited for that.
But I love Utah, and I love the football in this state. So wherever it comes, I'm excited to see that they're a good program.
And like I said, I'm excited to prepare and see how this week of preparation goes.”
The part that makes Utah’s offense especially fun for him is how unpredictable it can be. Bennee said he’s comfortable with the ball finding different hands from week to week, and he sees that balance as one of the offense’s best traits.
“I love it. That's something I was thinking about today.
That's the great thing about this offense, like you said, anybody can get the ball. Anybody can have their game.
It came my way last game, and I was happy for it. But I'm also happy when the ball gets spread around to anybody else.
I'm excited for my teammates when they make plays. But that's the beauty of the offense.
It makes it really fun to be a part of it.”
The bigger picture, though, is still what Bennee says it has always been: a dream. He and his brother Jackson grew up Utah fans, and now they’re sharing the sideline on game day.
“What does it mean to you to be a part of this Utah football program?
A dream. It's so much fun.
I mentioned it before: Jackson and I grew up Utah fans. So being able to be here, play together, it's so much fun.
Trying to soak in the moment. It's awesome.”
After last week’s breakout showing, Bennee also heard plenty from the people back home. He said the messages from friends and family were part of the fun, but he was quick to spread the credit around to the people helping make the offense go.
“It’s fun. I can’t lie.
Just trying to soak it in. I've got to give credit where credit is due.
We got incredible quarterbacks, Devon and Byrd. They throw the dimes everywhere, but Coach McGiven does great as well.
It's just fun to be a part of this team, this program. I'm blessed.
I'm blessed to be here. I love it.
It's so much fun. And we take it week by week.”
In Other News...
Utah's Blowout Win Left Arkansas Fans Melting Down Outside The Stadium
Utahs 43-10 rout of Arkansas in Salt Lake City was the kind of season-opening statement that can reshape the mood around a program in a hurry. The No. 20 Utes answered the Razorbacks with 43 unanswered points, while Arkansas spent most of the night searching for any sign of rhythm offensively, finishing with just 61 rushing yards and 139 passing yards from quarterback KJ Jackson.
The aftermath was just as ugly outside the stadium, where a video began circulating of a physical altercation among Arkansas fans. Inside the program, head coach Ryan Silverfield called it his first official defeat since taking over and acknowledged how far the performance fell short, leaving the Razorbacks with plenty to sort through before the next one. [Read more 🡒]
Former Utes Are Already Making Noise Across The NFL
The opening week of the 2026 NFL season offered a quick reminder of how many Utah products are now spread across the league and making their mark. Dalton Kincaid gave Buffalo a big lift with 130 receiving yards, Devin Lloyd was active all over the field in his Carolina debut with 13 tackles, and Devaughn Vele found the end zone for New Orleans, continuing a pattern Utah fans have gotten used to seeing from former Utes at the next level.
It also was a notable first step for the programs newest NFL arrivals, with rookies Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu getting their first taste of pro football as starters or active roster members. For Utah, it is the kind of early-season snapshot that speaks to both the programs recent talent pipeline and the way those former Utes are already factoring into real Sundays, even before the year has settled into its rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs New Offense Is Giving The Utes A Different Identity
Morgan Scalleys first offensive hire has already started to reshape how Utah looks on the field. By bringing in Kevin McGiven as offensive coordinator, Scalley signaled a willingness to lean into a more varied, aggressive style, and the early results have been hard to ignore. Through two games, the Utes have piled up points and yards at a pace that points to an attack with more creativity and more ways to stress a defense.
The biggest change has been in the feel of the offense, which has been built around diverse play calls, multiple receivers getting involved and a mix of formations that keeps opponents from settling in. For a program long associated with a tougher, more methodical identity, that kind of variety gives Utah a different look and a different ceiling. The early performance suggests the shift is real, even if the fuller test of how sustainable it is still lies ahead. [Read more 🡒]