Last night proved to be a momentous one for No. 12 Utah's football team as they claimed a dominant 49-0 victory over Southern Utah. Quarterback Cam Rising, returning from an injury that sidelined him since the Rose Bowl, passed for five touchdowns, a career-high for him, with three of those landing in the hands of tight end Brant Kuithe. According to FOX 13, the game showcased Rising's form as he threw 10 of 15 for 254 yards, also rushing for 25 yards in front of an 84th consecutive sellout crowd.
Meanwhile, Kuithe not only shined with his catching skills but also made Big 12 history. He became the first tight end in the conference to score three touchdowns in a single half, his final stats being four catches for 69 yards. "What about the oldest?" Kuithe joked post-game, "Honestly, I don't really care, but I just want to win games. And whatever it takes, score touchdowns or it doesn't, doesn't matter. I just want to win," as per KSL.
Amid the celebratory focus on Rising and Kuithe's achievements, Utah's coaching staff also offered an insight into the team's running back strategy. Coach Kyle Whittingham shared that the game plan had been to use a by-committee approach, which they anticipated, and that no player had yet stood out sufficiently to claim the RB1 spot. This approach, Whittingham suggests, is "not a bad thing," as he refrained from declaring an RB1 postgame, as detailed by Deseret News.
Furthermore, the game marked the first collegiate play for former Corner Canyon quarterback Isaac Wilson. Despite some expected freshmen jitters, including two interceptions, Wilson threw a touchdown to former BYU basketball player Caleb Lohner and totaled 74 yards passing. In his brief time on the field, Wilson demonstrated potential with a noteworthy 20-yard touchdown pass and a 19-yard completion on a crucial fourth-and-3 play. His performance gives a glimpse into what could be expected from the young quarterback at Utah, with his 22-yard run adding to his credit, according to Deseret News.
