**Cam Rising Out Indefinitely with Leg Injury: Isaac Wilson Steps Up as Utah's Starting Quarterback**

SALT LAKE CITY - A significant shift is underway for the Utah Utes football team following an announcement from head coach Kyle Whittingham. The team's senior quarterback, Cam Rising, is sidelined "indefinitely" due to a lower-leg injury, paving the way for freshman Isaac Wilson to take on the starting role for the remainder of the foreseeable future.

Rising, who has faced a challenging season with injuries, initially hurt his throwing hand in the second game of the season. Despite efforts to return, his comeback was short-lived as an Arizona State defender exacerbated his injury by rolling up on his right leg during a recent game. Although Rising managed to complete the game, his performance was hindered by evident discomfort and limited mobility, prompting concerns over his effectiveness on the field.

Whittingham acknowledged after the game that Rising was not at full capacity, yet the decision to let him play was driven by Rising's determination and past contributions to the team. "He wanted to play, and he felt strongly about staying in the game. He's won a bunch of ball games for us,” Whittingham said. However, the coaching staff is now clear that the best interest of the team is to move forward with Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Wilson, a former standout at Corner Canyon High, has already started three games this season due to Rising's previous injury. Demonstrating growth with each game, Wilson is expected to handle the majority of the practice reps, with Brandon Rose serving as the solid backup. Whittingham expressed confidence in Wilson's capabilities, stating, "There's no guesswork. Isaac is our guy, and we feel very confident in him."

Rising’s future remains uncertain, with potential discussions about possibly returning for an eighth season under a new NCAA eligibility rule. However, Whittingham emphasized that the immediate focus is on Rising's recovery and subsequent decisions will come later. Should Friday’s game against Arizona State mark the end of Rising’s journey with Utah, he leaves a legacy of 30 games, over 6,000 passing yards, 53 touchdowns, and two Pac-12 championships.

As Utah navigates the remainder of the season, the team will look to Wilson to lead them on the field, hoping to continue building on their successes under the guidance of their coaching staff.