Utah’s Spencer Fano: The Rivalry Game Is One “I’ve Always Wanted To Be A Part Of”
Oct 15, 2025, 8:30 PM | Updated: Oct 16, 2025, 10:37 am
SALT LAKE CITY — For offensive tackle Spencer Fano, this week’s Utah–BYU showdown is more than just another game. It’s the moment where memories, faith, and legacy converge.
Spencer’s path to this rivalry is rooted deeper than football. He has many childhood memories around this rivlary. He’s spoken openly about how his faith, and how it played a critical role in his decision to come to Utah.
This weekend’s game is another great opportunity to play football, and one that he’s been looking forward.
Proud to announce that @FanoSpencer has earned himself a spot on the @lombardi_award 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭‼️
This list features 65 of the nation’s top linemen and linebackers. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/JZz0pHFzCn
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 14, 2025
Faith, prayer, led Spencer Fano to Utah, Jim Harding
Fano’s story is rooted in Utah soil. Born in Spanish Fork and raised as a standout at Timpview High School, he was a four-star recruit with offers across the country.
With BYU, Michigan, Oregon, USC, and Utah among many others recruiting him, Spencer relied on his faith to direct his path.
“I prayed about it really tirelessly, and I found that coming to Utah was my answer,” he revealed about his decision-making process in coming to Utah. “I think my faith was the biggest thing, and with Utah it was Coach Harding. His track record, how amazing of a coach he is, and not only just how amazing of a coach, but the great person he is, too.”
When he committed to Utah, soon after, his brother Logan followed — a move Spencer says he “planned” though Logan, in truth, already felt a pull to Utah. “I said I was going to bring him along,” Spencer shared, “Logan actually felt like he knew he wanted to come to Utah before I did.”
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 16, 2025
Right from the start, the program trusted him. As a true freshman, Fano was named the starting left tackle — one of only two freshmen in the country to hold down that position in the first week of the season.
Since then, he’s shown resilience and growth, steadily building into one of the most dominant tackles in the country. He’s considered by many to be one of, if not top offensive line prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite the praise, Fano insists he doesn’t let it overwhelm him. “I feel like there is a little pressure there,” he shared, “but I know what I have to do, I prayed to be in these moments, so why would I stress about it?”
RELATED: Takeaways From Kyle Whittingham’s Rivalry Week Press Conference
The Rivalry Game: “It’s a game I’ve always wanted to be a part of”
When you grow up in the shadow of LaVell Edwards Stadium, the rivalry isn’t a distant spectacle — it’s woven into your memories. Fano says that stadium might be the place he’s spent the most time outside of Utah’s home.
“It’s a game I’ve always wanted to be a part of,” he shared. “I feel other than our stadium, that’s probably that’s the stadium that I spent like the most time in growing up.”
Logan’s time at BYU, and the slew of former teammates, intensify the personal stakes. “It’s huge, man. Logan spent some time there, felt like half the team was from my high school,” Spencer said.
RELATED: Utah Offensive Line Earns Big 12 Beef Of The Week Honor
Learning from the Texas Tech game
Fano has admitted that earlier in the season, specifically the Texas Tech game, that he let the moment and stage lead to overthinking.
“I think I made it bigger than it was, at the end of the day, it’s just football,” he shared. “Since that game, I feel like we’ve just been playing football.”
He credits coach Harding for molding him as a player. “He’s not only a great coach — he’s a great person. He’s the best line coach in the country,” Fano said.
And when the praise builds, Harding’s message is simple: treat it as “rat poison.” — it’s not real unless you let them be. Fano echoes that mindset ahead of rivalry week.
“We had a solid game against ASU, but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to have a solid game against BYU just because we played well last week,” Fano explained. “Coach Harding has definitely been on us, to just move on. That was last week and we’re ready for this week.”
