Cam Rising didn’t look good from the first photo.

Utah’s seventh-year senior quarterback, who hadn’t played since injuring his throwing hand against Baylor on Sept. 7, started the Utes Big 12 game at Arizona State on Friday night. But after just one offensive series and several errant throws, it was clear he wasn’t healthy.

Playing with a glove on his throwing hand, Rising went 2-for-9 for 11 yards on Utah’s first two offensive series. He also took a nasty hit that looked like he rolled his ankle. He couldn’t grab the ball or plant it on his injured ankle. Or both. The result was that almost every throw came up short and off target.

Rising finished the game 16-of-37 for 209 yards and 3 interceptions in Utah’s 27-19 loss. All three interceptions were costly. The first two came in Arizona territory. The third pick effectively ended the match.

The surge also severely undermined wide receiver Money Parks on a key 4th down play early in the fourth quarter. Parks were wide open and would have easily picked up the first down. But the short pass forced him to go to the ground four meters in front of the marker.

The 25-year-old Rising, who is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in college football, injured his throwing hand after being pushed into water coolers on the sidelines against Baylor. Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that the injury was a dislocated finger on his throwing hand, as well as stitches for a deep tear.

Isaac Wilson, a true freshman, had started the last three games in Rising’s absence. After a bye week, there was hope that Rising’s hand had healed and he could play.

Wilson, the younger brother of Denver Broncos backup quarterback Zach Wilson, warmed up on the sideline a few times but never entered the game.

Utah, the preseason favorite to win the Big 12, fell to 4-2 and 1-2 with the loss. The Sun Devils, who were picked to finish last in the conference, improved to 5-1 and 2-1.