Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026
Football
vs Idaho
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: Hunter Dyke/Utah Athletics
Q&A with Utah Football's Logan Fano
10/23/2024 10:00 AM | Football
Sophomore defensive end talks football and UFC
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Football team is continuing practice and getting ready for a Saturday meeting with Houston--a team the Utes haven't faced since 1978 but now tangle with again as members of the Big 12 Conference. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
Among the returners to the squad this year has been sophomore defensive end Logan Fano, who has played in all seven games (5 starts) and averaged 5.5 tackles the last two games. The Spanish Fork, Utah, native continues to make strides forward in his second season, battling back after being sidelined due to injury midway through the 2023 campaign.
Fano, the brother of offensive lineman Spencer Fano, visited with UtahUtes.com this week to talk football and his love of UFC.
Â
What is the mindset this week as everyone looks to get back on track?
"In our post-practice huddle today, Coach Whitt told us 'tough times don't last, but tough people do.' We're a team built with tough guys. For us, it's about staying tough and staying positive. We are understanding that we dropped three; we wish we didn't drop any of those. But at the end of the day, there's still a lot of football to be played."
Â
How have you grown as a player and as a person from year one to year two here at the U?
"In year one, I was still pretty young and wet behind the ears. I had a lot to learn. There was a lot of growth from game one to game five. I felt like I left a lot on the table after I got hurt. For me, that was something I had to deal with mentally; understanding that there was a lot that I could have accomplished. But I also realized that I had a new opportunity this year. I'm the biggest critic of myself. I know I haven't played as well as I should be playing this year. I need to make more plays and be more productive. But I've also learned that I need to give myself grace. Coming back from an ACL, you don't really start hitting your stride again until you're a year out of surgery. Coming back eight months out of surgery was a goal of mine and I did it. And I think for myself, I'm learning how to give myself grace and to be patient."
Â
Now having a year together at the U as teammates with your brother, Spencer Fano, how have you guys grown even closer together and learned from each other?
"For me and my brother, our goal is to be brothers that play in the NFL. That was part of the reason we came to Utah—to play in the NFL. How we try to approach the game is trying to hold each other accountable to that goal."
You seemed quite pumped to be down at UFC at the Delta Center this month. How'd you and your brother grow that fandom?
"I am a huge UFC fan. You can ask any of my family members; when I was in high school, I used to fall asleep listening to Joe Rogan's MMA podcasts with all his different guests. I listened to all the post-fight press conferences, pre-fight press conferences. I've seen all the history of UFC and studied up on everything. I love UFC fighting. I think what draws me and Spencer to it; we used to wrestle, all growing up until we got to high school. We understand how hard fighting and wrestling is. To see the best of the best and what they do, it's awesome."
Â
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Â
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
Among the returners to the squad this year has been sophomore defensive end Logan Fano, who has played in all seven games (5 starts) and averaged 5.5 tackles the last two games. The Spanish Fork, Utah, native continues to make strides forward in his second season, battling back after being sidelined due to injury midway through the 2023 campaign.
Fano, the brother of offensive lineman Spencer Fano, visited with UtahUtes.com this week to talk football and his love of UFC.
Â
What is the mindset this week as everyone looks to get back on track?
"In our post-practice huddle today, Coach Whitt told us 'tough times don't last, but tough people do.' We're a team built with tough guys. For us, it's about staying tough and staying positive. We are understanding that we dropped three; we wish we didn't drop any of those. But at the end of the day, there's still a lot of football to be played."
Â
How have you grown as a player and as a person from year one to year two here at the U?
"In year one, I was still pretty young and wet behind the ears. I had a lot to learn. There was a lot of growth from game one to game five. I felt like I left a lot on the table after I got hurt. For me, that was something I had to deal with mentally; understanding that there was a lot that I could have accomplished. But I also realized that I had a new opportunity this year. I'm the biggest critic of myself. I know I haven't played as well as I should be playing this year. I need to make more plays and be more productive. But I've also learned that I need to give myself grace. Coming back from an ACL, you don't really start hitting your stride again until you're a year out of surgery. Coming back eight months out of surgery was a goal of mine and I did it. And I think for myself, I'm learning how to give myself grace and to be patient."
Â
Now having a year together at the U as teammates with your brother, Spencer Fano, how have you guys grown even closer together and learned from each other?
"For me and my brother, our goal is to be brothers that play in the NFL. That was part of the reason we came to Utah—to play in the NFL. How we try to approach the game is trying to hold each other accountable to that goal."
You seemed quite pumped to be down at UFC at the Delta Center this month. How'd you and your brother grow that fandom?
"I am a huge UFC fan. You can ask any of my family members; when I was in high school, I used to fall asleep listening to Joe Rogan's MMA podcasts with all his different guests. I listened to all the post-fight press conferences, pre-fight press conferences. I've seen all the history of UFC and studied up on everything. I love UFC fighting. I think what draws me and Spencer to it; we used to wrestle, all growing up until we got to high school. We understand how hard fighting and wrestling is. To see the best of the best and what they do, it's awesome."
Â
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Â
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
OL
/ FootballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football legend Brian Johnson
Friday, February 20
Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley Introductory Press Conference | 1.06.25
Tuesday, January 06
Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley Introductory Press Conference
Tuesday, January 06
Utah: 44 vs. Nebraska | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE | SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Thursday, January 01