Utah
Cam Rising to start for Utah vs. Arizona State, per report
The No. 16 Utah Utes will welcome starting quarterback Cam Rising back Friday against the Arizona State Sun Devils, reports Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
Rising, a seventh-year senior, played in the first two games of the year before missing the past three outings with a dislocated finger and cut on his throwing hand.
The Utes (4-1) have left the possibility of Rising’s return on the table before each of those outings, making opponents gameplan for two quarterbacks.
Backup Isaac Wilson, the brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, has replaced Rising since the injury. Wilson went 68-of-122 for 830 yards, six touchdowns and seven picks over five games.
Wilson had his worst game before Utah’s bye two weeks ago against the Arizona Wildcats. He went 20-of-40 for 280 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Cam Rising’s return from injury indeed changes Arizona State’s approach
ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday that Utah’s success begins with its rushing attack controlling possession and setting up the passing game. But Dillingham also couldn’t deny that Rising’s potential availability could change things for the Sun Devils.
“He just brings a veteran leadership,” Dillingham said before knowing Rising’s status. “Like, you’re probably not going to pressure and rattle Cam Rising. He’s seen all the pressures. He knows where to throw hot. He knows how to get it out. He knows when you’re bluffing from one side and you bring it from the other because of the mannerisms from the pressure back.
“You’re probably not going to play the gotcha game with Cam Rising on the field,” Dillingham added. “You’re going to have to go challenge them and beat them … whereas you may play a little more, hey, can we show a younger quarterback different pictures that he maybe hasn’t seen yet in a live setting.”
Rising didn’t play his first two college seasons at Texas (redshirt) and then Utah (transfer year). He also missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Rising has thrown for 5,918 yards, 53 touchdowns and just 14 picks over his four years of game action.
This year against Southern Utah and Baylor, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 254 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
Arizona State hosts Utah in Tempe with a 7:30 p.m. MST kickoff. Tune to the Arizona Sports app, ESPN 620 AM and 98.7 HD-2.