Cam Rising made a triumphant return to the field, throwing a personal best five touchdown passes to lead No. 12 Utah to a convincing 49-0 victory over Southern Utah on Thursday night.

Rising, a seventh-year quarterback, was making his first appearance since torn multiple knee ligaments in the Utes’ Rose Bowl loss to Penn State on Jan. 2, 2023. He impressed by completing 10 of 15 passes for 254 yards and adding 25 rushing yards, thrilling an 84th-grade sellout crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rising exited the game in the second quarter with Utah leading 35-0.

Brant Kuithe, who missed last season and most of the 2022 campaign, was the primary beneficiary of Rising’s return, catching three touchdown passes in the second quarter alone. Kuithe’s first score came on a 29-yard pass on the first play of the quarter, followed by an 18-yard touchdown just three minutes later. He closed the half with an 11-yard grab, fending off three defenders to reach the end zone. Kuithe’s performance set a Big 12 record as the first tight end to catch three touchdown passes in a half.

Rising’s five-touchdown barrage marked the first time Utah has thrown five passing touchdowns in a half since Brian Johnson did so against San Diego State in 2008, the last season Utah went undefeated. The game also marked Utah’s first as a member of the Big 12 Conference, where they compiled 513 yards of total offense, their most since a game against Arizona State in 2023. The win extended Utah’s streak to 15 straight victories over FCS opponents.

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The Utes wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Rising connected with Dijon Stanley on a 64-yard wheel route for a touchdown on Utah’s first possession. Stanley, emerging as a new playmaker, added a 79-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, totaling 150 yards on just three receptions while also leading the team in rushing with 34 yards. His performance was a bright spot for Utah, as coaches had expected to use him in special packages despite him being listed as the fourth-string running back.

The game was not without its concerns for Utah, however, as starting cornerback Kenan Johnson, a transfer from Georgia Tech, left the field in the first quarter with an apparent leg injury. Depth at cornerback has been a concern for the Utes early in the season.

Southern Utah struggled with Utah’s size and speed, and showed vulnerability to Utah’s wheel routes and tight end sets. While the Thunderbirds were able to make some positive plays on the ground, they could not match the Utes’ physical strength at the line of scrimmage.

Utah’s defense, led by Van Fillinger with two sacks and Elijah Davis with an interception, was relentless and maintained the dominant form that has characterized head coach Kyle Whittingham’s tenure.

Looking ahead, Utah will take on Baylor in a non-conference matchup on September 7, while Southern Utah travels to UTEP on the same date. With a win, Utah could climb higher in the standings, especially if any Top 10 upsets occur during the first full weekend of the season.