In a triumphant return, Utah quarterback Cam Rising led the No. 12 Utes to a commanding 49-0 victory over Southern Utah, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes, three of which went to tight end Brant Kuithe. This marked Rising's first game since suffering a severe knee injury in the 2023 Rose Bowl, and he completed 10 of 15 passes for 254 yards, showcasing his resilience and skill. Kuithe's performance, where he became the first tight end in Big 12 history to catch three touchdown passes in a single half, highlighted the team's strong offensive showing, totaling 513 yards. The game was also notable for Rising surpassing Alex Smith on Utah's all-time touchdown list, now boasting 50 career TDs. Despite a brief injury scare from starting cornerback Kenan Johnson, the Utes demonstrated dominance throughout, scoring on all five of their initial drives. Rising's comeback is crucial for Utah as they embark on their inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference.