Salt Lake City Cameron Rising made a triumphant return throwing a career-high five touchdown passes to lead number 12 Utah to a 49 to Zer victory over Southern Utah on Thursday night Rising a seventh-year senior quarterback dazzled in his first game since a severe knee injury in the Rose Bowl against Penn State on January 2nd 2023 he completed 10 of 15 passes for 254 yards and added 25 rushing yards as the 84th consec Ive sellout crowd at Rice eckle Stadium cheered on every play Rising exited the game in the second quarter with Utah leading 35 to zero after orchestrating five consecutive scoring drives I just took a moment to soak it all in but once the coin toss happened it was all about winning said Rising who missed the entire 2023 season brand Keith who also missed last season caught three touchdown passes in the second quarter alone he snagged a 29 yd pass for a score on the first play of the quarter followed by an 18 y 3 minutes later with just over a minute left in the half Keith fought off three Defenders to score on an 11 yard grab it's easy when you have a guy like this Rising said nodding to Keith grown man rising's performance marked the first time Utah had five passing touchdowns in a half since 2008 in their debut game as a Big 12 Conference member the UTS amassed 513 yards of total offense securing their 15th straight win over FCS opponents Utah only reached the 500 yard Mark once in 2023 against Arizona State Southern Utah coach Delaine Fitzgerald admitted we didn't make it tough for Rising we didn't cover well or make him throw accurately Keith Made history as the first tight end in Big 12 history to catch three touchdown passes and a half I've been preparing for 2 years and it feels great to know I can still do it Keith said under coach Kyle Whittingham Utah has opened the season at home 15 times boasting a 14 to1 record Rising connected with dejon Stanley on a 64 yd wheel route for a touchdown on Utah's first possession Stanley later scored on a 79 yd catch finishing with 150 yards on three receptions and leading the team in rushing with 34 yards I feel like I have a special skill set that can be used anywhere Stanley said that touchdown was one of the biggest moments of my life however starting cornerback Kenan Johnson a transfer from George attack left the game in the first quarter with a leg injury cornerback is Utah's thinnest position according to the coaches