UTAH UTES

Utah Football Freshman QB Isaac Wilson To Start Against Arizona Wildcats

Sep 28, 2024, 8:24 PM

Utah Utes Football QB Isaac Wilson...

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - AUGUST 29: Isaac Wilson #11 of the Utah Utes runs a drill during warmups before their game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Rice Eccles Stadium on August 29, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Football freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson will make his third start as Cam Rising will miss the Utes’ game against the Arizona Wildcats with a hand injury.

Rising suffered a laceration on his throwing hand in week two against the Baylor Bears and hasn’t seen the field since.

Just like in week three against Oklahoma State, Rising went through the pre-game process to analyze the strength and comfort in his hand.

Ultimately, both Rising and the Utes decided that his return should wait at least one more week.

Utah’s football program seemingly anticipated this outcome. Wilson received the majority of snaps in practice this past week. The only question is if that had more to do with Rising’s status or the true freshman’s quality of play.

Regardless, Wilson will be under center as the Utes look to stay undefeated against another former Pac-12 power, the Arizona Wildcats.

The next chance for Rising to return will come on Friday, October 11, as Utah travels south to take on the ASU Sun Devils in Mountain America Stadium.

Three Game Day Thoughts From Utes Insider Steve Bartle 

1. Night game at Rice-Eccles Stadium 

Utah has really leaned into the Dark Mode theme this season. As they should. There is something truly extraordinary about Rice-Eccles at night.

“I don’t know (what it is) but there is something magical about Rice-Eccles and night games,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said in last week’s press conference.

The atmosphere in the stadium tonight should be pretty electric. It’s been a while since the last home game at night for the Utes, there weren’t any last season.

RELATED: Utah Football Vs. Arizona Fan Guide: TV Info, What To Wear, Top Storylines

Utah is also coming off of a rather momentous road victory at Oklahoma State, a rather ideal scenario for homecoming week. This weekend has featured the throwback uniforms, which now have the all-black set to match the Dark Mode theme as well.

There is certainly a lot of excitement for this game, defensive tackle Junior Tafuna summed it up best earlier this week.

“Rice-Eccles is always louder after dark,” he said. “Rice-Eccles is going to be popping, it’s going to be loud and I’m excited, we’re all excited.”

2. A chance for Utah Football to start 5-0 with Isaac Wilson at the helm

Utah football has a chance to do something significant this weekend in the Big 12 Conference.

But first, consider that Utah has seen their star quarterback in four quarters of action this season.

Not only that, but they lost their No. 2 cornerback within the first couple series of the season. Then their veteran defensive leader and top pass rusher have each missed the last two games.

Yet, Utah has an opportunity tonight night to improve to 5-0 and solidify their standing atop the Big 12. Something many only considered possible if Cam Rising were healthy, let alone Kenan Johnson, Karene Reid, and Connor O’Toole.

Regardless of what happens tonight, Utah has positioned themselves favorably with their best ball ahead of them.

3. Curious to hear about the new concessions process

The fan experience is an important dynamic in football games. In the previous two home games, the experience was less than ideal.

Due to significant concourse congestion issues, Utah Athletics and Rice-Eccles Stadium have changed the process around their concessions.

These issues have centered around empty soda cups at purchase and long lines at refill stations, which exacerbated long-time congestion issues.

Utah fans will now be provided a full soda cup at initial purchase. That eliminates the primary issue of needing to wait in an additional line to fill up the cup with soda, whether initially or as a refill. Additional soda machines have been installed to help speed up the entire process for fans as well.

Curious to hear how much these changes help the fan experience tonight.

For the top Utah Football storylines, follow Utah insider Steve Bartle or check out his coverage on KSLSports.com.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

Want more coverage of Isaac Wilson and Utah Football? Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Patrick O'Donnell, Utah Utes Hockey Player....

Cole Bagley

Patrick O’Donnell, University Of Utah Hockey Player, Passes Away At 23

Patrick O'Donnell, former goaltender for the University of Utah's Men’s Division 2 team, has passed away at the age of 23 after a multi-year battle with cancer.

44 minutes ago

Utah Football Head Coach Kyle Whittingham Big 12 Media Days...

Steve Bartle

What Stood Out From Kyle Whittingham’s Week One Press Conference

SALT LAKE CITY – On Monday, Utah Football head coach Kyle Whittingham addressed members of the media in his first in-season press conference of 2025. The Utes will not be releasing a depth chart, but an injury report will be provided this week. The Utes will travel down to Pasadena to take on the UCLA […]

3 hours ago

Devaughn Vele #17 of the Denver Broncos...

Brian Preece

Broncos Send Former Utah WR To Saints For Draft Pick Compensation

The Denver Broncos are reportedly sending second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for draft pick compensation. 

5 days ago

Elijah Davis #9 of the Utah Utes...

Brian Preece

Utah’s Elijah Davis Primed To Be ‘One Of The Best Corners In The Big 12’

Utah Utes redshirt freshman cornerback Elijah Davis is in line to play a significant role in the middle of defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley's secondary.

5 days ago

Rice-Eccles Stadium Big 12 logo Utah Utes ESPN Top 100...

Brian Preece

Utah Football Star Ranks High On List Of Top 100 College Football Players

The 2025 ESPN Top 100 college football players list is out, and two Utah Utes made the cut.

5 days ago

Morgan Scalley feeling good about the Utah defense....

Steve Bartle

‘Solid, Solid Camp’ For Morgan Scalley’s Utah Defense

Morgan Scalley and his defensive assistants have cultivated good progress throughout the Utah defense.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Phil Holland | Murray High School...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 1 – Phill Holland, Murray

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County.

two images of high school football players...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 1 – Cade Hadley & Jack Savage

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

kaneal sweetwyne tosses football...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 1 – Kaneal Sweetwyne

Our first honoree of the 2025 prep season is Skyridge High School quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Page was generated in 4.3076841831207