San Antonio • Texas transfer Cameron Rising will wear a Utah uniform in a game for the first time Tuesday, but Drew Lisk will be the Utes’ No. 2 quarterback vs. the Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said Sunday.
Rising has not dressed for games this season while sitting out, with the NCAA having denied his appeal for immediate eligibility. He will wear No. 9 in the Alamo Bowl, after completing his year of residency as a transfer.
Because he quarterbacked the scout team, preparing the Ute defense for the previous 13 games, Rising has played in Utah’s scheme on only a limited basis. “He has not had great exposure to the Utes’ offensive system, in terms of taking actual reps,” Ludwig said.
Lisk has alternated with Jason Shelley as Tyler Huntley’s backup; Shelley has moved to defense, with the Utes needing help at safety, due to injuries.
Ludwig likes how Rising has responded this month, though. “He never lacked confidence, but now he's very comfortable in the system, as well as confident,” Ludwig said.
Rising has marveled about being associated with "two damn good quarterbacks,” Texas’ Sam Ehlinger and Utah’s Huntley.
“I miss having him around … having him at the facility every day, [it] was always fun to be around him,” Ehlinger said. “I'm looking forward to what he can do later on in his college career.”
Asked about Rising’s ability, Ehlinger said, “He has a really special arm. On top of that, he might not look like he is extremely athletic in the run game, but he can get moving.”
Rising will compete in spring practice with Lisk and South Carolina transfer Jake Bentley, if Lisk chooses to stay in the program as he targets a degree in May.
Records watch
Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley introduced end Bradlee Anae during a news conference and asked him if he’s the school’s all-time sacks leader. "I need one more,” Anae replied.
“Well, get it,” Scalley said.
Anae is tied with Hunter Dimick with 29½ sacks, including 12½ this season. Linebacker Devin Lloyd was credited with Utah's only sacks vs. Oregon's excellent offensive line in the Pac-12 championship game. Anae and the other Ute ends will face Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi, who made the All-Big 12 second team.
Ute freshman kicker Jadon Redding is 55 of 55 on extra points. If he doesn’t miss any attempts Tuesday, Redding will own the school’s season record for most extra points without a miss. He needs two more successful kicks to break Louie Sakoda’s 2008 record.
Coming attractions
Three of Utah’s recent signees in the class of 2020 will play in Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Game at the Alamodome: defensive linemen Van Fillinger of Corner Canyon High School and Xavier Carlton of Juan Diego Catholic HS and cornerback Clark Phillips III of La Habra (Calif.) HS.
Orem linebacker Noah Sewell, an Oregon signee, also will play for the West team in the game televised by NBC at 11 a.m. MST. Sewell’s appearance will cap quite a week for his family. Nephi Sewell will start at safety for Utah in the Alamo Bowl, Penei Sewell will play offensive tackle for Oregon in Wednesday’s Rose Bowl and Gabe Sewell Jr. will play linebacker for Nevada in Friday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Texas safety Caden Sterns was the MVP of the 2018 All-American Bowl.
