UTAH UTES
Cam Rising, Dalton Kincaid Looking For Statement Against Aztecs
Sep 13, 2022, 2:35 PM
Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) throws a pass during a game between the Utah Utes and the San Diego State Aztecs on September 18, 2021, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Justin Fine/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Fine/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- Last season, Utah’s game against San Diego State was a bit of a turning point for the team. Coming off a loss to rival BYU for the first time in over a decade, the Utes were out of sorts and it continued through most of the game against the Aztecs in Carson, California. In fact, the game was all but lost when initial starter Charlie Brewer was pulled for Cam Rising.
Proud of how hard this team fought until the very end.
Grateful to our fans who cheered us on near and far. pic.twitter.com/iJSR4MJucr
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 19, 2021
The Utes didn’t pull off the win, but Rising showed he was their guy leading them from a 14-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to a tied ball game to end regulation. From there Rising went toe-to-toe with SDSU through triple overtime, but a two-point conversion attempt fell short giving the Aztecs the edge 33-31. Rising and tight end Dalton Kincaid haven’t forgotten and are hoping with the rest of the team to “correct a wrong” from the 2021 football season.
The Legend Of Cam Rising
There wasn’t a lot to be happy about concerning the SDSU game other than Utah finding their quarterback. As Kincaid remembers it, that’s really the only noteworthy aspect of that game.
“Cam Rising’s coming out party,” Kincaid said. “That’s the biggest thing. We have him starting this year so hopefully it’s a different outcome.”
As for what makes Rising standout as a leader, Kincaid says it has everything to do with his ability to get everyone around him to buy-in.
“He just has this leadership ability that not many people have,” Kincaid said. “He gets people to want to play for him. The o-line wants to play harder for him.”
Righting A Wrong
Obviously, there isn’t really a way to correct a loss that probably should have been a win, but beating up on said team that got the better of you the following year can’t hurt. Rising and crew are motivated this week to prove they are the better team in 2022 while still carrying the sting of defeat San Diego State gave them from the year before.
“Oh yeah, we’ve talked about it,” Rising said. “We’re not happy, but looking forward to the opportunity to get back out there and play them.”
With close to a full year under his belt running Utah’s offense and knowing he will actually be starting this game and not just going in as a desperate attempt to make something- anything happen, Rising is ready to use his experience to the Utes’ advantage.
San Diego State is a tenacious team according to Rising that really gets after it on defense.
“They rally to the ball,” Rising said. “They have guys that are ball hawks and want- they are physical and a well-coached team so it’s going to be a challenge but we are looking forward to it.”
