Cam Rising’s Injury Alters Game, Utah Football Grinds Out 23-12 Win Over Baylor
Sep 7, 2024, 4:51 PM | Updated: Sep 9, 2024, 12:00 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 7: Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes tries to fend off Treven Ma'ae #9 of the Baylor Bears during the first half of their game at Rice Eccles Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — After a hot start, Utah has to grind their way to a 23-12 win over the Baylor Bears and improve to 2-0 on the season.
The reason is that Cam Rising suffered a finger injury late in the 2nd quarter that had him in street clothes for the second half. That injury completely altered the vibe around the game.
Utah was in complete control up to that point. The offense marched up and down the field. The defense was stifling the Bears attack. Utah even blocked a field goal attempt, which Tao Johnson returned for 77 yards for a touchdown. That score put Utah up 23-0 at the 5:21 mark in the 2nd quarter.
Cam Rising’s injury
Then Rising took a snap with 1:55 left in the 2nd quarter. He had time in the pocket before needing to escape out to his left. He was pursued to the sideline and ultimately shoved into water coolers by Baylor defensive line Treven Ma’ae.
He would make an early exit to the locker room and would return after halftime in street clothes. Despite initial concern, it is believed Rising avoided serious injury.
Utah defense answers the bell
That put a major emphasis on the effort from Utah’s defense to secure the win. Baylor found more production but ultimately Utah needed a tremendous effort from the defense to secure the win. They got it.
Connor O’Toole and Van Fillinger spearheaded the defensive performance. They each notched second-half sacks and played fairly sound football against Baylor’s option attack.
Utah was led Nate Ritchie with 9 tackles (1 for loss), Sione Fotu with 7 tackles and 1 pass breakup, Tao Johnson with 7 tackles (2 for loss), and Connor O’Toole with 2 sacks and 7 total tackles.
Despite 9 2nd half points, the Utah defense got the stops they needed and rose to the occasion.
Offense without Cam Rising
The game completely changed at that point. Utah’s offensive production took a significant hit. The Utes totaled 197 total yards in the 1st half, they generated just 95 yards in the 2nd half.
True freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson took control of the offense in the 2nd half. The execution was hit or miss for most of the possessions. However, Utah was able to sustain a couple of drives, including one that ate up 7:23 of the clock in the 4th quarter. That possession was key to Utah’s victory today.
Utah improves to 2-0 on the season. Obviously, all the attention is on Cam Rising and his injury status. Utah will turn their attention to Utah State next week.
