Utah‘s injured quarterback’s future is still up in the air.
And now there’s a new QB battle brewing in Salt Lake City.
Seventh-year quarterback Cam Rising is expected to undergo surgery next week for the lower right leg injury he sustained in Utah’s loss at Arizona State on Oct. 11, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. Rising, at the moment, is still undecided about a potential return to the Utes for an eighth season of eligibility.
“That’s totally in Cam’s court,” Whittingham said on Tuesday. “The ball’s in his court, and he is looking at a surgery next week, most likely. So, he’s got time to think about that and decide what he wants to do. You’d have to ask him if he wants to shed any light (on that).”
While Rising ponders his future, Utah’s present is unsettled too.
Freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson was benched in the third quarter for senior quarterback Brandon Rose in the loss to Houston. Rose finished the contest 7 of 15 with 45 passing yards and a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.
Now the pair of quarterbacks will battle for the starting quarterback position in practice ahead of the Utes matchup versus BYU in less than two weeks.
“We’re going to evaluate this week,” Whittingham said. “There are two guys in the running obviously. Isaac Wilson and Brandon Rose will be taking equal reps this week.”
Wilson has completed 55.4% of his passes this season, while throwing for 1,200 passing yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. In five starts this season, the freshman quarterback has struggled with turnovers and holding the ball in the pocket too long.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Isaac Wilson (11) as the Utes host the TCU Horned Frogs, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
Whittingham said that contributed to Utah’s offensive line struggles vs. Houston a week ago.
“A lot of time holding the ball too long with the quarterback, that’s part of (the struggles),” Whittingham said. “Some metrics like Pro Football Focus say that we have the most efficient offensive line in the conference. But the offensive line has been a little bit up and down, but mostly up this year.”
WR Parks done for the year
Whittingham this week also announced that senior wide receiver Parks sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in Utah’s 17-14 loss to Houston last Saturday.
Parks, who has 21 receptions, 294 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season, left midway through the contest against the Cougars and was later seen on the sideline in a sling after the game.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Money Parks (10) runs the ball as the Utah Utes host the Baylor Bears, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
His injury is a major blow to Utah’s struggling offense, which ranks second to last in the Big 12.
“Money’s gone for the season,” Utah’s head coach said. “He’s had a lot of good years here and done a lot of good things. But he’s out for the season.”
