'Took a big step': Cam Rising, Isaac Wilson shine in annual Utah spring game

SALT LAKE CITY — Cam Rising wasted little time showcasing his talent on the field again at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday afternoon.

As the veteran quarterback trotted onto the field with "Bad Moon Rising" playing from the stadium speakers, the fans in attendance let their love of him show with a hearty applause.

Rising, in turn, put on an offensive show going 75 yards in nine plays in a pass-heavy drive that was capped off with a 2-yard touchdown toss to Money Parks in the back left corner of the end zone.

Welcome back to offense, Utah.

Rising found an early connection with USC transfer receiver Dorian Singer, and the two moved the ball down field with ease drive after drive. Rising sprinkled in passes to Brant Kuithe and Park for good measure to spread the ball around.

In all, Rising finished three drives — all ending in touchdowns — with 208 yards and two touchdown passes on 15-of-19 passing before watching the rest of the game from the sidelines. For his part, Singer finished with 92 yards, including a 40-yard catch from Rising in stride, on five catches in his first 22 Forever Game.

"It was what we hoped it would be," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said of Rising. "He was accurate, moved well in the pocket — he had a good pocket presence to him, which he always does — went through his progressions quick, got the ball out on time. Really couldn't have asked for anything more than what he gave us today."

"It's good to be back out there with the guys making some plays and watching them go," added Rising.

The Red team controlled an easy 21-0 lead on an offensive showing that was a breath of fresh air compared to the 2023 stall before the White team eventually found a rhythm with freshman quarterback Issac Wilson under center.

After back-to-back punts by the White team to open up the game with Brandon Rose under center, Wilson was inserted into the lineup to get things going. It took Wilson a series before he found a connection with Luca Calderalla on a 39-yard touchdown toss to give White their first score of the afternoon.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham opted to give the ball back to White after the score, and Wilson quickly moved the ball again down field, ending the drive three plays later (on 65 yards) with a dart to Landen King in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard score.

"It was an amazing feeling," Wilson said of his first score. "I saw it right down the middle. I threw it, Lando dove and caught it. He did an outstanding job pulling to safety. But just having that first one, I mean, there's many more to come."

Wilson continued to lead the White team for the duration of the game until Luke Bottari replaced him with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. The freshman finished throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-14 passing.

After Rising finished up his day, Rose moved over to the Red team to finish out the game. The three-year quarterback at Utah who has yet to get a Division I snap, finished with an improved 70 yards on 8-of-11 passing for the Red team.

Rose threw for 9 yards on 1-of-3 passing in his short stint on the White team.

Whittingham said Rose and Wilson will continue the backup quarterback battle into fall, but said Wilson "took a big step today" and "handled the stage" well in his first showing in front of fans since he won a 6A championship at Rice-Eccles Stadium in the fall with Corner Canyon.

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