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SALT LAKE CITY — No offense to Southern Utah, but Thursday night isn't about the opponent.
No, this isn't a dig at an FCS opponent who will likely have a tough time against a top-25 opponent in the season opener. Thursday night means so much more to everyone within the Utah football program, and the thousands of fans that support the team.
When a sold out Rice-Eccles Stadium gets the opportunity to hear "Bad Moon Rising" blasting over the speakers for the first time in a year, there's little doubt the song will elicit strong emotions for all involved.
After a trying 2023 season, in which Utah had an uncharacteristic number of season-ending injuries, the return of Cam Rising under center — as well as several other players on the field — will be a cathartic experience.
Rising's return, especially, has provided an abundance of confidence in what Utah football could be for the 2024 season.
"I'm just so excited," veteran linebacker Karene Reid said. "I think I'm excited to play, but personally, I'm excited about our offense. It's just been so fun to compete against them in fall camp. They've done nothing but make us better, so excited for all the fans to see them rolling."
Reid's response was typical of other players who are ready to see the highly talked about offense led by Rising.
"I don't feel nervous at all," defensive tackle Junior Tafuna added. "I'm just excited to see how we're going to start the season, and it's going to be great. Can't wait to see Cam and everyone out there. It's going to be — feels like it'll be just like old times, so I'm excited."
Old times indeed, but with an upgrade in talent on the offensive side of the ball.
It's an offense that has received praise since spring after Utah added proven playmakers at wide receiver, have arguably its deepest and most talented tight end room, an offensive line that is experienced, and a running back room that could prove to be a multi-faceted weapon to what is expected to be a diverse system.
And yet, it all comes back to Rising being back on the field.
"Having him out on the fields is like an instant confidence booster," Tafuna said. "Everyone elevates just because of his leadership, and so having him out on the field is a big key into how everyone wants to play, just because he has that swagger. ... When you've got it, you know, it makes you want to swing harder and just fight for your brother."
Added head coach Kyle Whittingham: "Excited to have Cam back. That's, obviously, huge for our football team. He just brings a different feel to everything when he's out there, and so that's been a big positive."
Rising is the difference maker and the one that has the potential to lift Utah to another conference championship — even in a new conference that Utah was projected to win and earn a spot in the inaugural 12-team playoff.
But none of that matters if Utah can't perform on the field. Sure, there's an obvious upgrade in talent at every key position on the offensive side of the ball from last season, but it'll be nothing if Utah can't maximize its potential.
"Got a lot of things going for us," Whittingham said. "We feel like we've done a nice job in the offseason upgrading on a lot of the positions, and we feel like we've got a chance to to be competitive, but we'll find out. All that matters is what happens on the game field, and so we'll find out this Thursday night — get a good idea where we stand right now."
By all accounts from fall camp, though, Utah's offense is up to the task this season. And no one has seen that closer than Utah's defense.
"Just overall offense, they look so confident out there," Tafuna said when asked what he was most excited about for Thursday. "And I can't wait to see them perform, just because they deserve to have that."
You can't blame him or anyone else on the defense that would like to have an offense that compliments a defense that traditionally is one of the best in the country in many statistical categories.
The alternative is what the defense faced last season when Utah couldn't move the ball on offense with regularity and it put more of a strain on the other side of the ball to carry the burden.
"It's a lot of pressure on us when there's a lot of three-and-outs, right? Everyone knows that," Reid said. "And so to be able to feel like we can breathe as a defense is going to be amazing."
Last season is over, and few want to dwell on the past, especially with so much promise ahead, but it still serves as a reminder — and motivation — for what the situation could be like if things don't go right.
"Everybody was disappointed last year, and we use that as motivation during the offseason to get bigger, stronger, more durable, which comes with that, and looking forward to being the team that we know we can be," Whittingham said.
"Last year was — we were off pace and had some things to overcome, but that's not that uncommon in college football," he added. "I mean, you go through years where you're not as fortunate, injury wise, as others and it's just something you've got to deal with. But right now, we're in a good place, and if we can continue to keep the quarterback upright for the course of the season, then that is going to be a big plus for us."
The health of Rising remains the No. 1 focus.
Rising is healthy, Whittingham has confirmed over and over during fall camp — do you blame people for asking him so much after the back and forth about Rising's health? — and the team feels confident in what he can do again on the field.
But that may mean keeping Rising from doing what he's often so good at in tough situations, and that's tucking the ball and running — whether by design or as he tries to make a play.
"He is going to be very judicious in his running; and we've had ad nauseam talks about that," Whittingham said. "He's going to be a guy that really picks his spots and is going to be — not trying to fight for that extra yard. There are situations where, end of game or whatever, where he's going to need to go ahead and throw it in there, but preservation is the key with him as far as when he decides to tuck the ball and run it.
"Very little QB run game," he added. "You're not going to see a whole lot of QB run game. But he's, right now, functioning as well as he ever has. His arm strength is back, leg feels great, and just no limitations. I mean, he's ready to roll."
Rising is less emphatic about it all, simply saying that he's just going to "go out there and play some football; that's about it."
He understands that his health remains the top priority, but his job is to also win games; and that often means he'll be forced to put his body in a vulnerable state to make winning plays. It's what often separates Rising from others on the field.
The hope is Rising won't even be in a position to have to test that; the offense will have enough firepower and versatility to give the veteran QB choices beyond his own abilities to get the job done.
"Cam is surrounded by a lot of weapons," Reid said. "You know Cam, he's always comfortable, but with this receiver room, we're looking dangerous, for sure."
Thursday night won't tell the full story, but it's one of the most anticipated games — regardless of opponent.
