Ute Insiders

October 14, 2026

Utes sticking with Mana Carvalho as punt returner

In the second half of Utah’s 41-24 win over Kansas last Saturday, a different player than usual returned punts.

Receiver Creed Whittemore returned two punts for 10 yards in the Utes’ win, leading some to wonder if Utah was going to make a change at the position, or at least split reps between Whittemore and primary punt returner Mana Carvalho.

Carvalho has been the team’s primary punt returner since late September of 2025, and it has been a roller coaster of an experience.

Against BYU last year as a freshman, Carvalho tried to field a punt that he should have let go and muffed it, leading to a Cougar field goal before the half. A few weeks later, though, Carvalho scored a 75-yard punt return touchdown against Cincinnati, making a Bearcat defender miss at the Utah 40-yard line and heading to the end zone for the Utes’ first punt return touchdown since 2021.

After 212 yards and a touchdown fielding punts in his freshman season, Carvalho garnered Big 12 honorable mention honors.

This season, Carvalho has fielded eight punts for 55 yards, including a 25-yard return in the opener against Idaho, but there have been some dicey moments along the way.

Carvalho appeared to muff a punt that was recovered by Idaho in the first quarter of the season opener, but the referees didn’t overturn the call on the field during replay review. There’s been a couple of other anxiety-inducing moments for Ute fans this season when Carvalho fields punts, but he does possess the ability to flip a field more than anyone on Utah’s roster.

Despite Whittemore’s appearances last week, Utah coach Morgan Scalley said he is sticking with Carvalho.

“No, really it’s been Mana staying healthy,” Scalley said of Whittemore fielding punts against Kansas. “He went out last game with what they thought was potentially a concussion. They’re always going to err on the side of being safe.

“He has since passed concussion protocol, so we’re good. It really wasn’t anything other than that.”

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