Rising scores on 2-pointer, No. 20 Utah tops No. 7 USC 43-42

SALT AKE CITY (AP) — Time was dwindling however the choice had already been made as Cameron Rising drove Utah down the sphere in opposition to beforehand unbeaten Southern California.

“We had been going to maintain the ball in Cam’s fingers,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned. “And if we rating and time is near expiring, we had been going for two, no query.”

Rising threw for 415 yards, ran for 3 touchdowns and scampered up the center for a go-ahead two-point conversion with 48 seconds left in No. 20 Utah’s 43-42 victory over the seventh-ranked Trojans on Saturday evening.

The Utes devoted the sport to Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, former gamers who died inside a yr of one another. Within the locker room after the sport, the crew introduced the sport ball to the fallen gamers’ moms in a poignant second. Each gamers wore jersey quantity 22.

“We wished to verify we represented 22 nicely,” Rising mentioned because the Utes had hand-painted portraits of Jordan and Lowe on their black helmets.

Even when the Utes had been down two touchdowns, Rising mentioned his teammates by no means doubted.

“We had an unwavering perception,” Rising mentioned. “Having Ty and Aaron in your helmet made it that a lot simpler to go.”

Rising rushed a yard for a landing on fourth all the way down to arrange the deciding conversion.

“Cam Rising is a competitor, warrior, you title it. He’s a champion,” Whittingham mentioned.

Caleb Williams threw for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns for Southern California (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12). Utah (5-2, 3-1) held the Trojans on their last-ditch drive, handing them their first loss as a document crowd of 53,609 shook Rice-Eccles Stadium after which flooded the sphere.

“I’m going to be trustworthy, I hate dropping. I actually, actually, actually, I hate it, merely,” a devastated Williams mentioned. “So, yeah, I had a little bit emotion.”

The Utes wanted each one in all Rising’s large performs along with his legs and his arm throughout his profession evening. Rising, who was as soon as dedicated to present USC coach Lincoln Riley when he was at Oklahoma, turned the primary Utah QB to throw for 400 yards since Brian Johnson had 417 in opposition to San Diego State in 2005.

Dalton Kincaid had 16 catches for 234 yards, probably the most for a Ute since Carl Harry had 255 yards in 1988 and probably the most catches and yards receiving for a Utah tight finish.

“Cam made some very nice throws to him and he made some actually phenomenal catches,” Riley mentioned. “The yards that he had after the catch actually, actually harm us.”

Southern Cal’s Mario Williams had 4 catches for 145 yards and Jordan Addison had seven receptions for 106 yards earlier than an ankle harm took him out of the sport.

Towards an all-out blitz, Williams linked with Michael Jackson III, who stepped by a deal with for a 20-yard landing with 6:15 to play for a 42-35 lead. It was Jackson’s first catch of the season.

The Trojans scored on their first three possessions of the sport. The assault continued all through the sport however the Utah protection secured the victory after Rising’s heroics within the fourth quarter.

“Their crew is stuffed with explosive gamers … however they must play for 4 quarters and that confirmed the resiliency of our crew,” Utah linebacker Karene Reid mentioned of the ultimate cease.

Utah has gained 23 of its final 24 residence video games, together with a streak of 12 in a row.

“That actually needed to be one of the vital thrilling video games in Rice-Eccles historical past. What a efficiency by our soccer and it’s a very good crew we beat, very proficient and the quarterback’s great,” Whittingham mentioned.

Addison, the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner at Pittsburgh because the nation’s high receiver, had seven catches for 106 yards however harm his ankle on a reverse within the third quarter.

KINCAID STEPS IN

Brant Kuithe was Utah’s focus within the passing sport however is out for the season with a knee harm. Kincaid stepped in along with his historic sport and the Utah offense didn’t miss a beat, even when the operating sport faltered.

“He’s an absolute athlete, among the finest tight ends within the nation and hard as nails,” Whittingham mentioned.

Rising mentioned this sport was a results of an instantaneous connection once they each transferred to Utah in 2020 and the belief has grown annually.

“He’s a simple man to throw the ball to. When he touches the ball that usually, he make performs, he extends them. He’s a participant,” Rising mentioned.

THE TAKEAWAY

Southern California: The Trojans had been prolific on offense, however the protection couldn’t cease Rising, particularly when it counted. Key penalties typically stymied the Trojans once they had alternatives to take a commanding lead.

Utah: Rising willed the Utes to the win however the protection was gashed by the Trojans. Utah defenders typically took poor angles in opposition to USC’s pace. Utah turned nearly solely to the passing sport because the operating sport was stuffed, aside from Rising’s energy runs.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Utah ought to rise however the Trojans shouldn’t fall far after the 2 groups went toe-to-toe for 60 minutes.

UP NEXT

Southern California: At Arizona on Oct. 29.

Utah: At Washington State on Oct. 27.

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