The Utah football program faces its first significant test of the 2024 season this weekend, when they travel to Stillwater to face the 14th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday afternoon. But as the Utes prepare for their first game against a ranked Big 12 opponent, the fate of their 7th-year senior quarterback, Cam Rising, remains unclear.
After missing the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear in the Rose Bowl the previous season, Cam Rising decided to return to Utah for one more season, hoping that the health issues that had plagued him in previous seasons would be resolved. However, a collision with a water cooler on the sideline against Baylor forced Rising to miss the last game and a half due to a hand injury that is still not fully recovered.
ESPN’s college football insider Pete Thamel delivered an update on Rising on Saturday morning, before of the 4 p.m. ET opener against Oklahoma State.
“Utah quarterback Cam Rising is a game-time decision with an injury to his throwing hand, sources told ESPN, with the expectation that he’ll attempt to start,” according to Thamel. “Rising’s practice time this week has been limited due to the injury, and he is not anticipated to play at full strength. He will be extensively studied to see if his injured fingers affect his throwing ability. The fingers have a significant impact on both spin and velocity, which will affect his pass-catching ability.
Having a seasoned leader behind centre, such as Cam Rising, would be a significant advantage for the Utes as they approach unfriendly territory at Boone Pickens Stadium. Rising, 25, has made 27 starts in Salt Lake City and has a record of 20-7. A touchdown-to-interception ratio of 53 to 14 is about the best you can hope for.
If Rising is unable to play, Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of former BYU quarterback and 2nd overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft Zach Wilson, will start for the Utes. Wilson made his first career start against Utah State last week, passing for 239 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-21 victory. Wilson was a four-star prospect and the Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023, and he chose the Utes over offers from Arizona, Miami, Oregon, and BYU.
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