Tag: utah

Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes athlete Travis Hunter (12) dives for a catch in the end zone in front of Utah Utes cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn (5) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Fifth-string QB Luke Bottari leads Utah over Colorado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Luke Bottari, a senior walk-on who began the season fifth on the quarterback depth chart, rushed for two touchdowns to spark Utah to a 23-17 victory over Colorado on Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

Jaylon Glover rushed for 107 yards on 17 carries and former Colorado kicker Cole Becker booted three field goals as the Utes (8-4, 5-4 Pac-12) won after back-to-back losses.

Ryan Staub started at QB for Colorado (4-8, 1-8), throwing for 195 yards and a touchdown on 17-for-24 passing in the Buffaloes’ sixth consecutive defeat.

Colorado only mustered 262 yards in the final game of a season that started out with great promise in Deion Sanders’ first season as head coach.

While Bottari completed 6 of 10 passes for 61 yards, the Utes rushing attack and defense chipped in. Utah rushed for 268 yards and made several key first downs on a late drive to clinch the win after the Buffaloes pulled within a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

It was the final Pac-12 game for the two programs who will join the Big 12 next season.

Both teams had to rely on backup quarterbacks, with Utah’s Bryson Barnes and Colorado’s Shedeur Saunders being sidelined due to health issues.

Staub connected with Travis Hunter for an 18-yard scoring strike with 7:31 remaining to keep the Buffaloes within striking distance.

Bottari and the Utes retained possession for the rest of the time on a 12-play, 44-yard drive, which included a fourth-down conversion.

The Utes made a big defensive play to start the game as Connor O’Toole sacked Staub and forced a fumble, which Van Fillinger recovered.

Moments later, Bottari scored his first college touchdown on a 2-yard QB keeper for a 7-0 lead.

Becker then drilled a 34-yard field goal to extend Utah’s lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter.

Three minutes later, Colorado cut the lead to 10-7 when Jimmy Horn Jr. took a backwards pass and tossed it to Dylan Edwards for a 30-yard touchdown reception on a trick play.

After the teams exchanged field goals, Bottari scored another rushing TD from 1 yard out for a 20-10 Utah lead midway through the third. Becker’s third field goal put the Utes up by 13 with 11:31 to play in the game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Utah banged up, Colorado in free fall entering finale

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Season-ending injuries to numerous key players have forced Utah to dig deep into the depth chart as the regular season winds down.

The Utes (7-4, 4-4 Pac-12) are thin at several positions going into their conference finale against Colorado in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Utah lost top defensive end Jonah Elliss to a season-ending injury before last week’s 42-18 loss to Arizona.

Karene Reid, a starting linebacker, and starting safety Cole Bishop were also out against the Wildcats. Both are questionable against the Buffaloes.

Without three key defensive leaders, Utah sputtered against Arizona. The Utes fell behind 28-0 after the first play of the second quarter and saw a six-game winning streak in the series end.

“We’ve got to accept the fact that they outplayed us, outcoached us and that’s that,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Nothing except bragging rights will be at stake between the two Rocky Mountain rivals. The Utes are assured a bowl game and Colorado will be spending the postseason at home after failing to qualify for a bowl.

The Buffaloes (4-7, 1-7) unraveled after a 3-0 start. Their struggles reached a new low in a 56-14 loss to Washington State last week. The Cougars scored touchdowns off a pair of fumble returns and a kickoff return to blow the game open.

Five of Colorado’s previous six games had been decided by seven points or less. That wasn’t in the cards against Washington State after Shedeur Sanders was knocked out with an early injury. Sanders, who was sacked four times by the Cougars, has been sacked 52 times this season.

“You give up two fumble returns for touchdowns and a kickoff return for a touchdown, that’s not the recipe for a win,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said.
“They executed early and executed often, and when they got Shedeur out of the game, it was tough sledding from then on.”

Utah has won six straight games against Colorado and leads the rivalry series 34-32-3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cam Rising reacts against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

QB Cam Rising returning to Utah in 2024

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Utah quarterback Cam Rising, who missed the 2023 season for the Utes due to a knee injury, announced on social media that he will return for the 2024 season.

A two-time Pac-12 champion as the Utes’ signal-caller, Rising suffered a torn ACL in his knee against Penn State in the Rose Bowl in January.

At one point expected to potentially make a debut in 2023, Rising later revealed that he also tore an MCL and damaged two other ligaments, necessitating a longer recovery.

Rising threw for a combined 46 touchdowns and more than 5,000 yards in leading Utah to identical 10-4 records in 2021 and 2022.

The Utes (7-4) have struggled on offense without Rising this fall, ranking 12th in the Pac-12 in passing offense and 10th in scoring.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Michael Wiley #6 celebrates a touchdown with tight end Tanner McLachlan #84 during the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports

Pending Big 12 bedfellows No. 17 Arizona, No. 22 Utah push for win No. 8

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 17 Arizona has been one of the most surprising teams in the country and will be going for its fifth consecutive victory when it plays its home finale against No. 22 Utah on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

The Wildcats (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) still have an outside shot at playing in the Pac-12 championship game, but that involves beating the Utes (7-3, 4-3) and Arizona State to end the regular season.

Oregon, in turn, must lose one of its final two games to create a tie-breaking scenario behind league-leading Washington.

“Our only focus is beating Utah,” Arizona coach Jedd Fisch said. “This is a great team coming in.”

Arizona hasn’t won five consecutive games since starting the 2014 season with a 5-0 record.

Utah has navigated through myriad injuries all season, going 3-3 in its past six games, with each of the losses to ranked teams – at Oregon State, vs. Oregon and, last week, at Washington 35-28.

The Utes responded with resounding victories — 34-14 over Cal and 55-3 at Arizona State — the first game after their previous two losses.

“You’ve got to rebound; you’ve got to respond,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Our team has been good at that this year, at least the first couple times. We’ve got to do the same thing this time around. …

“We lean on the leadership of the team a lot and we lean on the coaches to set the tempo, set the mindset and move forward.”

Utah has won five in a row in the series. That includes the 45-20 decision last season in Salt Lake City.

The Utes were the more physical team in recent years and remain strong on both lines, ranking 30th nationally in rushing (184.9 yards per game) and fifth in rushing defense (85.6 yards allowed per game).

Defensive end Jonah Ellis is having an All-American season, with 12 sacks among his 16 tackles for loss.

The game should feature strong matchups in the trenches. Arizona has a potential 2024 first-round left tackle in Jordan Morgan, who is helping running back Jonah Coleman average 7.15 yards per carry. The Wildcats’ defense is 13th nationally against the run, yielding 99.4 yards per game.

But most of the buzz around Arizona is on redshirt freshman quarterback Noah Fifita, who has started the past six games. For the season, he is 165 of 224 for 1,735 yards, with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Fifita struggled some in the first half against Colorado last week but led a second-half comeback as Arizona won 34-31 on a last-play field goal.

“He never flinched,” Fisch said. “What Noah was able to do is what good quarterbacks do. It’s one play at a time, one play at a time.”

Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson has rushed for 627 yards on 122 carries and has three 100-yard games this season. Bryson Barnes has settled in at quarterback, completing 103 of 176 passes for 1,197 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The final matchup between these programs as Pac-12 schools was considered a betting pick-em early in the week. Both teams will be joining the Big 12 next season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson (7), Washington Huskies offensive lineman Nate Kalepo (71) and other teammates celebrate against the USC Trojans during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5 Washington, No. 18 Utah ready for key Pac-12 matchup

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It was supposed to have been a showdown between the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Southern California’s Caleb Williams, and this year’s favorite, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

Until Dillon Johnson stole the show.

Johnson rushed for 256 yards — the same number that Penix threw for — and four touchdowns as the Huskies won 52-42 last week in Los Angeles.

That will give No. 18 Utah (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) one more thing to worry about when it travels to Seattle to meet No. 5 Washington (9-0, 6-0) on Saturday afternoon in a key Pacific-12 Conference game.

Penix threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another vs. the Trojans, but it was Johnson who made the difference and earned the Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Week award.

“It takes the heat off of Mike,” Washington coach Kalen DeBoer said of Johnson’s big game. “It allows other guys to get touches. DJ had a hot hand, and he was doing what we thought he could do when he came into our program, when we saw the film from a year ago (at Mississippi State).

“It’s just fun seeing the work he’s put in to get himself in the condition and the speed he’s at now, the physicality he’s playing with. We needed every bit of it. So I’m proud of him, proud of the offensive line, too.”

Johnson has come up big in the Huskies’ most important games of the season. He had what was then a career-high 100 yards and a touchdown on Oct. 14 in a 36-33 victory against visiting Oregon.

Against USC, Johnson had 129 of his yards before contact, according to Pro Football Focus.

“The O-line did a great job of making holes for me, so my day was really kind of easy,” Johnson said. “I just hit whatever hole was open.”

It will most likely be tougher going against a Utah defense that is ranked first in the Pac-12 in both points allowed (15.9) and yards allowed (282.3) per game.

After taking a 35-6 loss to then-No. 8 Oregon at home two weeks ago, the Utes bounced back with a 55-3 blowout of Arizona State.

Bryson Barnes threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Ja’Quinden Jackson ran 13 times for 111 yards and a touchdown for the Utes.

“You don’t want to let a team beat you twice,” said Barnes, referring to any potential letdown after the Oregon game. “We had to regain our energy and get over that loss, no matter how bad it was.”

Utah held the Sun Devils to just 83 total yards — 43 rushing and 40 passing. Arizona State converted just 1 of 15 third-down attempts.

“When the defense is clicking and in sync and not on our heels like we were (against the Ducks), we’re really good,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “The front seven was outstanding. Back end was good, too … We just played a complete game at all three levels.”

The Utes won’t shy away from a national television audience for the Saturday game. They’re 4-1 in those appearances this season.

“Anytime you can get national exposure and build your brand … our recruits have certainly taken note of that and are excited about the exposure we’ve gotten,” Whittingham said. “Now, it’s a two-edged sword. You got to be on national TV and play well, you don’t want to go ahead and just underperform every week. But we’ve performed pretty darn good this year in most weeks, and that has caught the attention of our recruits and that’s been a plus.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jacob Conover (15) has pass deflected by Utah Utes defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) in the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

No. 18 Utah steamrolls Arizona State, 55-3

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bryson Barnes completed a career-best four touchdown passes and Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed 13 times for 111 yards and a touchdown in No. 18 Utah’s 55-3 victory Saturday over Arizona State in Pac-12 play at Salt Lake City.

The 52-point victory is Utah’s largest in the Pac-12 since it joined the conference in 2011.

Barnes was 19 of 28 for 161 yards without an interception.

Jackson did not play most of the second half after suffering a leg injury.

Utah (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) limited Arizona State (2-7, 1-5) to 83 yards of total offense while the Utes compiled 513.

The Sun Devils were relegated to their fourth-string quarterback, Jacob Conover, after starter Trenton Bourguet was forced to leave the game in the second half with a left ankle injury.

Arizona State also used running back Cameron Skattebo in the Wildcat formation often after halftime.

Bourguet was injured during the first drive of the game when he took a hit as he threw the ball.

Conover replaced him and his first six passes fell incomplete before Bourguet returned.

Bourguet played a series and then was kept out the rest of the game to avoid further injury.

Conover was 5 of 22 for 41 yards with an interception.

True freshman Jaden Rashada, deemed the starter out of fall camp, has been out since the second week of the season due an undisclosed injury. His backup Drew Pyne is also out because of a leg injury.

Utah, which had its 18-game home winning streak snapped last week by Oregon, scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the game.

Barnes completed passes to Devaughn Vele of 11 and 3 yards to culminate each possession.

A 20-yard touchdown pass from Barnes to Munir McClain with 54 seconds left in the second quarter put Utah ahead 24-3 at halftime.

An interception thrown by Conover with 6:03 left in the third quarter led to Cole Becker’s second field goal of the game, a 43-yarder, to give Utah a 34-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Barnes completed his fourth touchdown pass, a 2-yard strike to Landen King, Nate Johnson scored on a 59-yard run and Charlie Vincent had a 22-yard scoring run.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws the ball downfield against the Utah Utes during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Bo Nix, No. 8 Oregon cruise past No. 13 Utah

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bo Nix passed for two touchdowns and ran for another to help No. 8 Oregon roll to a 35-6 victory over No. 13 Utah on Saturday afternoon in Pac-12 play at Salt Lake City.

Tysheem Johnson intercepted two passes as the Ducks (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) won their second straight game. Bucky Irving rushed for a score and accumulated 119 scrimmage yards (83 rushing, 36 receiving) for Oregon.

Nix completed 24 of 31 passes while furthering his Heisman Trophy chances. Troy Franklin caught eight passes for 99 yards and one touchdown, Jordan James also had a scoring reception and Traeshon Holden was credited with a rushing touchdown.

Bryson Barnes completed 15 of 29 passes for 136 yards and two interceptions for Utah (6-2, 3-2), which had its 18-game home winning streak halted. Devaughn Vele caught seven passes for 80 yards for the Utes, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Two-way player Sione Vaki had just 11 rushing yards on five carries after having 217 offensive yards (149 receiving, 68 rushing) last week in a win over Southern California.

The Ducks had a 390-241 edge in total offense while defeating Utah for the 11th time in the past 16 meetings.

Oregon held a 15-point halftime lead and seized further control with two third-quarter touchdowns.

Irving scored on a 9-yard run to make it 28-6 with 8:44 left in the third quarter. Two-plus minutes later, Holden received a lateral from Nix and scored from the 5 to boost the lead to 29.

Nix accounted for three first-half touchdowns as Oregon led 21-6 at the break.

Nix scored on a 1-yard run to cap the Ducks’ game-opening drive. After Utah’s Cole Becker kicked a 32-yard field goal later in the first quarter, Nix tossed an 18-yard scoring pass to James to make it 14-3 with 18 seconds left in the period.

Nix connected with Franklin on a 3-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 18 with 12:29 left in the half. Becker kicked a 30-yard field goal as time expired.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Utes running back Sione Vaki (28) carries the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon vs. Utah: Preview, Props and Prediction

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The first College Football Playoff rankings are released on Tuesday, and it’s perhaps fitting to happen on Halloween.

While the clock won’t strike midnight and turn contenders into pumpkins just yet, the time is now for a few teams to turn up the intensity.

Oregon and Utah meet Saturday in what is almost certainly a CFP “loser out” matchup.

Despite a disappointing loss by USC at Notre Dame, the Pac-12 is enjoying a high-profile position in its final season as we know it. The rising tide has lifted all boats, including the Ducks and Utes.

Saturday’s matchup in Salt Lake carries realistic CFP implications in particular for the Ducks. With only one defeat, Oregon would likely be on the good side of a CFP final four vote if it wins out.

We have a tasty parlay for our betting choice along with news, notes and quotes.

–Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., ET
–Television: Fox
–Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City.
–Point Spread, Total: Oregon -6.5; Total 47.5

QUICK PICK
Among the myriad factors applied to the CFP ranking system is strength of schedule; not only the opponents, but the opponents of those opponents.

Follow me?

That means the Pac-12’s top half, five of whom are in this week’s AP Top 25, brings serious substance to conference contenders.

Oregon’s lone loss was at No. 5 Washington; Utah fell to No. 19 Oregon State – and upset USC last Saturday in Los Angeles.

In an atypical year – Pac-12 fans aren’t so readily able to complain about a lack of national respect – Oregon lost very little CFP traction in its 36-33 road defeat in Seattle.

The Action Network power ratings, for example, have the Ducks all the way up at No. 4. The ratings, according to Action, “aim to judge the true quality of a team based on advanced metrics, coaching changes, year-over-year roster continuity … and a host of other underlying components.”

Ducks QB Bo Nix, who sits sixth on the BetMGM Heisman futures list, faces a make-or-break Saturday but is skilled and experienced enough to handle the road pressure.

Bookmakers opened Oregon as a three-point favorite but saw the early money drive the spread past six points.

The Ducks now have enough video of Utah quarterbacks Bryson Barnes – who threw three TDs and rushed for 57 yards against USC – and backup Nate Johnson to cultivate a winning defensive scheme.

The pick: Oregon 27, Utah 21
The bet: Alternate spread/total: Oregon -2.5, Total over 41.5 (+100 at BetMGM).

THE NEWS

The Ducks have more firepower with an offense that ranks second nationally in scoring (47 points per game) and total offense (551.6 yards per game).

Nix, who made his NCAA-record 54th career start at quarterback last week, has passed for 2,089 yards, 19 touchdowns and one interception this season. That pick is the lone turnover committed by the Ducks, who have the fewest in the nation.

Utah is tied for third with just four turnovers.

The Utes rank 96th in scoring (23.4 ppg) and 98th in total offense (345.0 ypg). The attack has been spruced up by having standout safety Sione Vaki (tied for the team lead with 35 tackles) play on both sides of the ball.

Vaki caught two touchdown passes and compiled 217 yards last week in Utah’s 34-32 road victory over then-No. 18 Southern California. He caught five passes for 149 yards and rushed nine times for 68 more.

“The impact he makes on offense is actually bigger than the impact he has on defense,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “And he’s one of the best safeties in the country, so that tells you how valuable he has been for us.”

Utah ranks 11th in scoring defense (15.0 ppg) and 14th in total defense (295.4 ypg).

The Utes, No. 5 nationally in rush defense at 78 yards per game, face a daunting challenge in trying to execute a repeat performance on Ducks standout Bucky Irving.

Irving, who has rolled up 649 rushing yards this season, had just 20 yards on 10 carries in Oregon’s 20-17 home win over the Utes last season.

He scored three touchdowns last week against Washington State when he put up a season-best 129 yards and posted 127 rushing yards against Washington.

THEY SAID IT
“I would say his heart is pounding out of his chest. This dude is so passionate, he cares so much for his teammates and never goes down on first contact. Really selfless player, and I think that really shows up when you see this guy play on the field.”

–Oregon coach Dan Lanning on Ducks running back Bucky Irving

–Field Level Media

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws out a pass during warm ups as the No. 9 Oregon Ducks host Washington State Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

No. 8 Oregon, No. 13 Utah clash in likely elimination match

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It is a virtual elimination game Saturday when No. 8 Oregon faces No. 13 Utah in Salt Lake City.

Both teams are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-12. The team that loses falls out of national championship consideration.

“Big game in the conference picture,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said his Monday news conference. “They’re a one-loss team, as are we. Both our backs are to the wall. Hopefully it will be a great football game.”

Utah’s lone blemish is a 21-7 defeat at then-No. 19 Oregon State on Sept. 29. The Ducks lost 36-33 at then-No. 7 Washington in a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 14.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning shares Whittingham’s view that it’s a must-win game.

“This is gonna be a fun opponent,” Lanning said at his Monday news conference. “A really good team, extremely well coached. They’ve done a phenomenal job of utilizing their personnel and have some really talented players on their team.”

The Ducks have more firepower with an offense that ranks second nationally in scoring (47 points per game) and total offense (551.6 yards per game).

Oregon also features standout quarterback Bo Nix, who made his NCAA-record 54th career start at quarterback last week in the Ducks’ 38-24 home win over Washington State. Five other quarterbacks shared the record at 53 (though current Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman is in that group.)

Nix has passed for 2,089 yards, 19 touchdowns and one interception this season. That pick is the lone turnover committed by the Ducks, who have the fewest in the nation. Utah is tied for third with just four turnovers.

The Utes rank 96th in scoring (23.4 ppg) and 98th in total offense (345.0 ypg), but the attack has been spruced up by having standout safety Sione Vaki (tied for the team lead with 35 tackles) play on both sides of the ball.

Vaki caught two touchdown passes and had 217 offensive yards last week in Utah’s 34-32 road victory over then-No. 18 Southern California. He caught five passes for 149 yards and rushed nine times for 68 more.

“It’s been a big plus for our offense to say the least to have him over there,” Whittington said. “The impact he makes on offense is actually bigger than the impact he has on defense. And he’s one of the best safeties in the country, so that tells you how valuable he has been for us.”

Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes had career bests of 235 yards and three touchdowns against USC but also threw an interception that was returned for a score. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Barnes will continue to run the show after the weekend news that standout Cam Rising won’t play this season. Rising sustained a serious knee injury in the Rose Bowl against Penn State on Jan. 2.

Utah ranks 11th in scoring defense (15.0 ppg) and 14th in total defense (295.4 ypg) but can’t just worry about stopping Nix.

The fifth-ranked run defense (78.0 ypg) will look to lasso Ducks running back Bucky Irving (649 rushing yards) for the second straight season. Irving had just 20 yards on 10 carries in Oregon’s 20-17 home win over the Utes last season.

Irving accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and ran for a season-best 129 yards against Washington State. One week earlier, he rushed for 127 yards against Washington.

“I would say his heart is pounding out of his chest. This dude is so passionate, he cares so much for his teammates and never goes down on first contact,” Lanning said of Irving’s running style. “Really selfless player, and I think that really shows up when you see this guy play on the field.”

Oregon has won 10 of the past 15 meetings with the Utes.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7), out with an injury warms his quarterback up at halftime against the Florida Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Utah QB Cam Rising (knee) won’t play this season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Utah starting quarterback Cam Rising, sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in the Rose Bowl in January, will not play in 2023.

Coach Kyle Whittingham made the announcement following Utah’s win over Southern California on Saturday night.

Utah entered the game ranked No. 14 and led by quarterback Bryson Barnes, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-32, last-second win over the Trojans. He added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown.

In an interview in October, Rising detailed the injuries to his left knee.

“I wasn’t really expecting to do this, but I think it’s important that I just let everybody know that I didn’t just tear my ACL,” Rising said during an appearance on “The Bill Riley Show,” a sports talk radio program and podcast in Utah.

“I tore my ACL, meniscus, MPFL and MCL,” he said. “There was a big surgery, and it’s not an easy comeback. I’ve been working my tail off.”

While there had been optimism Rising would play this season for the Utes (6-1), Whittingham shut down that option.

Rising potentially could return for the 2024 season, when he’d be 25. He redshirted at Texas in 2018, sat out 2019 as he transferred to Utah, then played in just one game in 2020 due to injury.

As Utah’s starter in 2021 and ’22, he amassed an 18-6 record as a starter, tallying 15 career games with 200-plus passing yards, including two 300-yard games and one 400-yard-game. He was a Pac-12 All-Conference first-team selection in 2021.

Whittingham also said tight end Brant Kuithe, who continues to recover from an ACL injury, also won’t play this season. Both Kuithe and Rising could apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt.

“We’ve been hoping for ’em each week, but the medical staff was the ones who made that call,” Whittingham said. “And we’re not going to question that at all. That’s just not how we operate. So it was a medical decision for the rest of the year — it’s probably the safest thing to do for them, gives them the best chance to get back to 100 percent. So I’m 100 percent on board with that.”

–Field Level Media