UCLA Football: Cam Rising's Utes Return May Have Been Less Impending Than UCLA Thought

Still some obstacles to get over first!

Your UCLA Bruins unfortunately fell to 14-7 the Utah Utes on September 23rd despite Cam Rising missing the game due to a lengthy recovery process after a torn ACL at the beginning of the year. UCLA's defense allowed Nate Johnson to throw 9/17 and total 117 yards along with a touchdown.

However, even though Bruins fans were pondering if Rising was going to return to the field to face them in that match, new updates show that those odds were very minimal.

Rising, who has been recuperating from a debilitating torn ACL injury, is on the cusp of a remarkable comeback. Nevertheless, it appears that his triumphant return may have to wait for another couple of weeks. Josh Newman, an astute observer of the Utah football scene, has reported that all signs point to Nate Johnson taking the helm for the third consecutive game as the Utes embark on a journey to face Oregon State this coming Friday.

Despite Johnson's commendable contribution to Utah's stellar 4-0 record in the 2023 season, his statistical performance leaves much to be desired. The Utes have heavily relied on their ground game, with rushing yards surpassing passing yards on a per-game basis. Johnson, known for his dual-threat capabilities, has been instrumental in this regard, ranking among the team leaders in rushing. Impressively, he has carried the ball 47 times, closely shadowing his 49 passing attempts.

The forthcoming game against Oregon State carries an additional layer of significance for Utah football. Following this showdown, the team is set for a bye week, affording Cam Rising a much-needed two-week window to secure medical clearance before the pivotal matchup against Cal on October 14. 

The collective yearning among Rising and the passionate Utah football faithful to witness his triumphant return to the gridiron is palpable. Each passing week that he remains on the sidelines brings with it mounting concerns that Rising may, regrettably, remain absent for the entirety of this season.

In the world of college football, hope springs eternal, and Cam Rising's journey to recovery embodies the resilience and determination that define the sport. As the Utah Utes continue their quest for success in the 2023 season, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Rising, whose return could potentially be a game-changer. Amidst the uncertainty, one thing is crystal clear - the anticipation surrounding Cam Rising's return is not diminishing but growing stronger with each passing day.

We wish him the best of luck in his pending recovery process. On the Bruins side of the equation, UCLA is laser-focused on the program's October 7th matchup against Washington State.

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