This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah's Sept. 3 opener against Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines has been billed as an important game for both teams, but obviously there are many things in life more important than football.

Wednesday reminded us of one such thing: helmet shades.

We kid, but the reaction to a tweet from Utah's equipment crew Wednesday was as wildly ebullient as the reception that met Utah's new white and black lids last season, and throwback jerseys and helmets more recently.

The latest headwear some claimed to have waited a lifetime to see: Utah has a new "satin" red helmet option with a matte finish and a red facemask, which it will debut against Michigan. It has not replaced the old red helmet, said senior associate athletics director Liz Abel, and further use of the helmet beyond Michigan is to be announced.

Somehow, eating scoops of protein powder factored into the unveiling.

— Matthew Piper

mpiper@sltrib.com

Twitter: @matthew_piper