Britain Covey

FILE - Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) runs for a touchdown during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Rising isn’t facing a battle to be Utah’s starting quarterback heading into a new season. Rising cemented his spot atop the depth chart when he led the Utes to their first ever Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl berth a season ago. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

No. 7 Utah wants to grow its long-range passing game

By John Coon Aug. 18, 2022 01:37 PM EDT

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Utah wide receiver Britain Covey (18) returns a kick-off for a touchdown past Ohio State cornerback Demario McCall (1) during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Adversity catches up to Utah in 4th quarter of 1st Rose Bowl

By Joe Reedy Jan. 01, 2022 11:39 PM EST

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, left, catches a touchdown next to Utah cornerback Malone Mataele during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/John McCoy)

No. 7 Ohio State beats No. 10 Utah 48-45 in wild Rose Bowl

By Greg Beacham Jan. 01, 2022 09:16 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud plays against Oregon during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Utah reaches pinnacle, Ohio State returns to it in Rose Bowl

By Greg Beacham Dec. 31, 2021 02:01 PM EST

No. 10 Utah Utes make Rose Bowl debut vs No. 7 Buckeyes

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2021 12:04 PM EST
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Rose Bowl: No. 7 Ohio State (10-2) vs. No. 10 Utah (10-3), Jan. 1, 5 p.m. Eastern (ESPN) Line: Ohio State by 4 1/2, according...

Ohio State players C.J. Stroud, Dawand Jones, Jax Smith-Njigba and Bryson Shaw wave on a vehicle in a parade for the Rose Bowl Team Visit Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

COVID-19 concerns lead to changes in Rose Bowl buildup

By Dan Greenspan Dec. 27, 2021 11:56 PM EST

Southern California tailback Darwin Barlow (22) fumbles the ball as he's hit by California safety Elijah Hicks (3) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Berkeley, Calif. California's Trey Paster picked up the ball and returned it for a touchdown. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

Utah's Whittingham unanimous AP Pac-12 Coach of the Year

By Anne M. Peterson Dec. 10, 2021 12:43 PM EST

Utah running back Tavion Thomas (9) is tackled by Colorado safety Mark Perry (5), defensive end Mustafa Johnson (34) and linebacker Devin Grant (44) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Rising throws 3 TDs and No. 16 Utah beats Colorado 28-13

By Matthew Coles Nov. 26, 2021 07:57 PM EST

Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell, left, and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham talk before an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Colorado at Utah 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 03:57 PM EST

Utah running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs into the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett)

No. 16 Utah seeking a fifth straight win over Colorado

By The Associated Press Nov. 25, 2021 03:10 PM EST

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) gestures to his bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett)

Explosive offense has No. 16 Utah atop Pac-12 South again

By John Coon Nov. 25, 2021 01:14 PM EST

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham gets dowsed with water from a cooler as Utah defeated Oregon in an NCAA college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Scott G Winterton/The Deseret News via AP)

No. 24 Utah routs No. 4 Oregon, ending Ducks' CFP hopes

By John Coon Nov. 20, 2021 11:16 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: OSU's Stroud throws for 6 TDs

By The Associated Press Nov. 20, 2021 09:39 PM EST

UCLA coach Chip Kelly, left, and Utah coach Kyle Whittingham laugh before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

UCLA at Utah 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 10:07 PM EDT

Utah running back Micah Bernard rushes against Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Utah at Oregon State 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 09:21 PM EDT

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) scores as Arizona State defensive back Jordan Clark (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Rising rallies Utah to 35-21 win over No. 18 Arizona State

By John Coon Oct. 17, 2021 01:43 AM EDT

Utah running back Micah Bernard (2) carries during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Southern California on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Texas Southern at Southern University 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 08:49 PM EDT

Pledger helps Utah rally past Washington State 24-13

By Matthew Coles Sep. 25, 2021 06:43 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — TJ Pledger rushed for 117 yards and the go-ahead touchdown as Utah came from behind to beat Washington State 24-13 on Saturday afternoon...