The rust lasted for a play.
Utah quarterback Cam Rising dropped back on his first snap after 605 days and threw an incompletion while taking a big hit.
After that, it was game on.
The seventh-year senior ended that first drive since tearing his ACL in January 2023 by tossing a 64-yard touchdown to a wide-open Dijon Stanley. From there, Thursday’s season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium was about the Utes’ veteran leader flexing old muscles.
Rising spread the ball around the field, finding his old reliable target, tight end Brant Kuithe, for three more scores.
By halftime, Rising’s day was over and so was the game. He finished with five touchdowns, a career-high, and 254 yards on 10-of-15 passing.
The Utes cruised to a 49-0 win over Southern Utah behind their long-haired leader.
“I thought it was the Cam of old,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “I think he was sharp.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) as the Utah Utes host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
It could’ve been far worse for the T-Birds.
The No. 12 team in the country scored on all five of its first-half drives. Perhaps the Utah starters’ only true miscue was when Rising missed wide receiver Mycah Pittman streaking down the middle for what would’ve been a sure touchdown.
The Utes had 339 yards by halftime. Rising’s five touchdowns were the most by a Utah quarterback in a half since Brian Johnson in 2008. And on the night Utah welcomed Hall of Famer Alex Smith into the school’s new “Ring of Honor,” Rising passed Smith on Utah’s all-time touchdown list, moving up to 50 in his career.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith is honored as the Utah Utes host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
Stanley led Utah in receiving, with three catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
True freshman Isaac Wilson made his debut after Rising’s day ended. He finished 7-of-11 for 74 yards, a touchdown and two picks. He also ran for 21 yards. His lone touchdown pass was to former BYU basketball player Caleb Lohner.
In the second half, running back Mike Mitchell scored his first touchdown as a Ute.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” Whittingham said. “We just had some talented guys out there making plays. It is good to get that one under the belt.”
Utah will play fellow Big 12 member Baylor at home next week in a game that won’t count as part of the conference schedule.
