In a shocking turn of events, the No. 14 ranked Utah Utes have announced that star quarterback Cam Rising will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Rising, who had been dealing with a knee injury, will not see any more action on the field this year, as confirmed by head coach Kyle Whittingham.

Rising's injury woes began when he suffered a devastating knee injury at the Rose Bowl last season during a game against Penn State. At the time, the severity of his injury was not fully disclosed, giving hope to fans that he could return to the field for the Utes this season. However, Rising recently revealed the extent of his injuries during a radio appearance, shedding light on the challenges he has faced during his recovery.

Despite making progress ahead of schedule, Whittingham made the difficult decision to shut down Rising for the season, erasing any possibility of his return to the field. This news leaves uncertainty regarding Rising's future in college football, as he still has one year of eligibility remaining.

Alongside Rising, the Utes will also be without tight end Brant Kuithe for the remainder of the year. Kuithe is still recovering from a torn ACL sustained during last season. His absence will undoubtedly impact the team as they navigate through the Pac-12 and face formidable opponents like No. 9 Oregon and No. 5 Washington in the coming weeks.

With Rising out of the picture, Utah will now have to rely on backup quarterback Bryson Barnes to lead the team. Barnes showcased his capabilities during the Utes' recent victory against the USC Trojans, throwing for 235 yards and three touchdowns, while also achieving success on the ground with 57 rushing yards.

Barnes has accumulated 633 passing yards this season, completing 58.4% of his throws, along with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Additionally, Nate Johnson has been splitting quarterback duties with Barnes and has thrown for 499 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite the setback, the Utes currently hold a 6-1 record and are poised to face tough competition in the Pac-12. Their upcoming matchup against No. 9 Oregon will be a significant test, followed by a clash with No. 5 Washington, a team with high hopes of securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.

As the Utes continue their pursuit of success without Rising and Kuithe, it remains to be seen how they will adapt and overcome these challenges. The absence of their star quarterback will undoubtedly have a significant impact on their offensive capabilities, but the team's resilience and depth will be put to the test as they navigate through the rest of the season.