Nate Johnson In Line to Start For Utah If Cam Rising Can't Go For Week 3 Matchup
You would think that if someone were to tell you that Utah needed to bump their third-string quarterback into the starting role the sky would be falling in Salt Lake City.
That is far from the case for the No. 12 Utes, as, after a gritty and ugly win over Baylor, there has been a change made on the depth chart at quarterback. After starting the first two games of the season Bryson Barnes has since lost what is the backup role to the injured Cam Rising.
Barnes struggled on Saturday against Baylor, finishing the game just 6-of-19 for 71 yards with a costly interception before being benched. When they turned to his backup, Nate Johnson, there was a spark on offense. Johnson was able to use his arm and feet to get Utah back into the game, and if it weren't for him they'd probably would have lost the game.
Johnson finished the game 6-of-7 for 82 yards while adding 32 yards rushing and a score, and now based on the latest update of the depth chart is in line to start. That is of course if Cam Rising who hasn't played this season is unable to play.
There are two cases that can be made for Rising to play or not in Week 3 if he is healthy. For one, they are playing against Weber State who realistically they should blow out, so they can take the extra precaution. Or, they can play start rising if he is healthy so he can shake off some rust before they host No. 24 UCLA.
Regardless of what they do, expect to see Johnson on the field and making flashy plays.
