Report: Utah QB Cam Rising not expected to play season opener vs. Florida

Utah is hoping to kick off its upcoming season with a significant win over Florida inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. However, one snag that has been a question mark all offseason appears to be official.

Per Pete Thamel of ESPN, Utah QB Cam Rising is doubtful to play in his team’s opener against the Gators on Thursday night. After tearing his ACL in the Rose Bowl to end last season, he was unable to truly take part in fall camp in Salt Lake City and will now likely miss the matchup against their SEC opponent.

“Cam Rising, the starting quarterback for Utah is doubtful for the game tomorrow night and not expected to play,” Thamel said on College Football Live. “Sources told me last night that Bryson Barnes the junior who had won start last year and victory at Washington State and then came in for Rising in the Rose Bowl after he tore his ACL, will get the look as a starting quarterback for the Utes. We will also see some of Nate Johnson.

“The one thing Kyle Whittingham was not vague about this week was that the young quarterback who gives them a Wildcat look … will play no matter who the starter is. But it looks like Barnes will be the primary quarterback with Nate Johnson filling in some snaps to give them some different looks from under center.”

Rising has been the Utes’ starting quarterback over the past two seasons. Over that time, he has thrown for over 5,500 yards and 46 touchdowns on a 64.3% completion rate. He has also rushed for nearly 1,000 yards for six more scores.

Rising has led Utah to a 20-8 record in that span with a pair of Pac-12 Championships and Rose Bowl appearances to show for it. One of those losses, though, came in The Swamp in last fall’s opener when the Gators won 29-29 thanks to one of Rising’s eight interceptions on the year.

If this wasn’t bad enough, the Utes also have some questions coming into their opener about their backups as well. That’s why, with Rising set to miss kickoff, this will be an uphill battle for Utah to overcome while it also becomes a quality opportunity for Florida to potentially start their year off with a second-straight opening win over this opponent.

Kyle Whittingham provides update on Rising’s recovery

While he is now set to miss Utah’s season opener, Kyle Whittingham isn’t understating just how much Rising means to his program.

“Well, his impact on the team can’t be overstated,” Whittingham said of Rising to On3. “He is the leader of our football team, leader for leaders, I guess you can say. As Cam goes, so goes our offense.”

“Unfortunately, each of the last three seasons was cut short by injury. The first season he started for us, he got injured against USC, unfortunately, and missed the entire season. Then, the last two seasons, he’s been able to lead us to the Rose Bowl but, unfortunately, wasn’t able to finish the last Rose Bowl game. He got knocked out of both of those games.

“But he means so much to this football team. And it’s been such a driving force behind our success. And, really, he’s the guy that rallies the troops and is, like I said, our leader.”

Per Whittingham, Rising was approximately a third of the way through recovery in April. Thus, by now, the California native must be inching close to a return.

“He’s out there every practice and mentoring and tutoring these young quarterbacks,” Whittingham said. “And (he’s) in the meeting room. I mean he’s doing everything but taking reps on the field. And he’s the type of guy that has such a powerful presence. He’s a leader even when he’s not suited up. I mean he’s the guy that everyone looks up to.”