UCLA Football: ESPN Expert Assesses 2 Likeliest QBs

Both could prove formidable for the Bruins.

When your 3-0 UCLA Bruins football team squares off against the 3-0 Utah Utes today, at 12:30 p.m. PT in Rice-Eccles Stadium, they'll be doing so against something of a mystery quarterback.

That's because nominal starter Cam Rising has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered at the Super Bowl, and is hoping to making his return within the coming weeks.

"First and foremost, is [former starting quarterback] Cam Rising back? Is [tight end] Brant Kuithe back? A lot of people have said, 'This is the game they've circled, this is the game they're returning.' I don't know right now. I don't have insider information."

Rising's backup, freshman QB Nate Johnson, has done an admirable job in his stead. The 6'1", 195-pound native of Clovis, California has made 22 of his 32 pass attempts for a 68.8% completion rate thus far with the Utes. He's passed for a total of 281 yards (8.8 average) and one touchdown.

"If Cam Rising's in, just know that he's a gamer, great runner... But if he can't go, then it'll be Nate Johnson again... He obviously is very athletic, guy's a gifted runner... So he's got great top-end speed."

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