Utah quarterback Cam Rising left late in the second quarter of the Utes' 23-12 win against Baylor on Saturday with a hand injury and did not return. The injury occurred after Rising was shoved into a bank of watercoolers on the Baylor sideline, which did not result in a roughing the passer penalty. Rising was later seen in street clothes on the sideline with the ring and middle fingers on his right throwing hand taped.
Speaking after the win, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said he was unable to provide anything conclusive about Rising's availability for next week's game against Utah State but did not sound overly concerned. "Just been told it's not real serious," Whittingham said. "You know what I know now. It wasn't real serious and can't tell you the exact description of what happened, but he may be back this week. We'll see."
Before exiting, Rising completed 8 of 14 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns as Utah built a 23-0 lead. He was replaced by true freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of NFL quarterback Zach Wilson, who completed 4 of 9 passes for 40 yards.
Rising, a seventh-year senior, missed all of last year with a major knee injury suffered in the Rose Bowl the previous season. Rising's return from injury this year is a significant reason Utah entered the season as one of the favorites to win the Big 12 in its first year in the conference. He led the Utes to Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022 and was a first-team all-conference selection in 2021.
The Turning Point
The game took a dramatic turn when Rising was injured. Utah had been in complete control, building a commanding 23-0 lead. The offense was clicking, and the defense was stifling Baylor's attack. But Rising's exit, after he was shoved into the water coolers, left the Utes without their star quarterback and their emotional leader.
The Backup's Performance
Wilson stepped in and played the rest of the game, but the Utes' offense struggled to maintain its momentum. While Whittingham expressed confidence in Wilson, saying he threw some good balls, Utah's offensive production dropped significantly in the second half. The Utes managed just 95 yards in the second half, a stark contrast to the 197 yards they gained in the first half.
The Defense Steps Up
Utah's defense rose to the occasion, securing the win for the Utes. They were led by Connor O'Toole and Van Fillinger, who each notched second-half sacks. The defense also generated several other key stops, including one crucial possession that ate up 7:23 of the clock in the fourth quarter.
Moving Forward
Utah's victory over Baylor is a positive, but the injury to Rising hangs over the team. Whittingham acknowledged that the world can't stop turning when Cam exits a game, but the team's success this season could depend on Rising's health. The Utes now turn their attention to their in-state rival, Utah State, next week. If Rising can't play, Wilson will need to step up and show he can lead the offense.
The Final Whistle
Utah's win over Baylor was a hard-fought battle, but the victory came with a price. Rising's injury is a concern, and the Utes will need to regroup and figure out their quarterback situation moving forward. The Utes' next game against Utah State could be a defining moment for the team.
