Utah’s offense heads to Cincinnati with confidence — and corrections to make
Oct 28, 2026, 3:28 PM | Updated: 3:33 pm
Houston Cougars vs. Utah Utes at the Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, Oct 24, 2026. (Photo: Joel A. Davidson / UteZone, On3)
(Photo: Joel A. Davidson / UteZone, On3)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s offense left the Houston game with evidence that it could respond when a game turned difficult. It also left with a list of reasons it needed to play better.
Both are shaping the Utes’ preparation for Cincinnati.
The second-half response gave Utah something to build on, but tight ends coach Luke Wells made clear during Monday’s availability that the offense’s resilience does not erase its efficiency issues. The challenge now is carrying the confidence forward while correcting the execution that made a comeback necessary.
“We still got a lot to learn from, efficiency-wise on offense,” Wells said. “It was good to see our kids bounce back in the second half, where we weren’t quite as efficient in the first half.”
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Zereoue Williams credited better communication for OL’s improvement
For offensive lineman Zereoue Williams, the explanation for that improvement began with communication.
“We were a little disappointed with the way we just didn’t really communicate as well in the first half,” Williams said. “But once we started really getting that clicking together, we were money.”
And per Hudl IQ, Utah’s offensive line allowed just three second half pressures compared to five pressures in the first half against Houston. Matching Williams’ description of a group that settled in as the game progressed.
Heading into another road environment, Utah needs that coordination to show up earlier. Williams said the offensive line reached halftime believing its work was beginning to wear Houston down. There was frustration with the performance, but little interest in abandoning the process.
Devon Dampier’s voice helped reinforce that belief.
“Whenever we see Devon just step up and be a leader, it’s invigorating,” Williams said. “We’re just like, that’s our guy, and we know we can rely on him, and we want him to rely on us.”
Defensive players delivered encouragement, too. Williams described teammates crossing over to reassure the offense that they had its back.
The response mattered because it allowed Utah to keep working through problems without turning them into something larger. Against Cincinnati, the goal is to make that communication dependable from the beginning.
Noah Bennee has been a dependable answer for the Utes
The tight end position has become an increasingly useful part of that offensive equation, with Noah Bennee providing production alongside the group’s blocking responsibilities.
Bennee caught all five of his targets against Houston for 42 yards, establishing a season high in receptions and leading Utah in catches. That brought his season totals to 18 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Among tight ends in the league, those numbers rank No. 3 in receiving yards and tied for No. 4 in touchdowns in the Big 12.
None of his five catches went longer than 11 yards, but he gave Dampier a productive option throughout an afternoon when the offense had to work through uneven execution. Wells traced that consistency back to what happens before Saturday.
“He prepares like a pro every day,” Wells said. “A lot of times I’m in the building in between meetings, I see him in the meeting room all the time. He’s a football junkie, spends a ton of time watching tape.”
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The preparation comes with an effort level Wells considers exceptional.
“He plays as hard as anybody I’ve coached,” Wells said.
That combination helps explain the staff’s willingness to keep expanding the tight ends’ responsibilities. Wells said Utah has added to their package throughout the season as the players have demonstrated they can execute more.
Against Houston, that included a new scheme on a third-and-short touchdown near the goal line.
“Those guys jumped in and executed it,” Wells said.
For Cincinnati week, the significance is the range of contributions Utah can ask from the position. Bennee has demonstrated he can supply receiving production, while the group’s execution gives the coaches room to introduce additional wrinkles in critical situations.
Contributions beyond the ball
That willingness to embrace different responsibilities extends to the receivers and running backs.
Braden Pegan was asked about a game in which the receivers did not catch a touchdown but continued blocking for their teammates. His answer reflected an expectation that extends beyond any single matchup.
“If we have a great week of stats, that’s awesome,” Pegan said. “If not, whatever it takes to win, we’re going to do it.”
Wayshawn Parker finished the game with 93 total yards and one touchdown. Well below his season averages, but he’s still No. 3 in the Big 12 in total yards from scrimmage at 891, and tied at No. 2 with Cincinnati’s Cole Tabb in total touchdowns with 12.
Yet, Parker described a similar investment in the running back room, where he and Daniel Bray compete over their lead blocks. Parker’s excitement about Bray’s development included a block against a blitzing corner — a contribution that protects a play before anyone has a chance to make a highlight.
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Parker also acknowledged that his energy carries weight with teammates, particularly when his own production is limited.
“When I go out there, I know people are looking at me,” Parker said. “So I got to go out there with energy.”
That approach helped Utah remain engaged through an uneven performance. The next step is pairing the same effort with cleaner execution against a Cincinnati team that, as Wells noted, just beat Texas Tech.
“If that doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what does,” Wells said.
Utah has reasons to trust its offense: a quarterback its players believe in, improving coordination up front and a tight end whose preparation is translating into production. The Cincinnati matchup will test whether the Utes can put those pieces together earlier, before another game requires a second-half response.
