Dillingham: ASU football preparing for both Utah QBs, Cam Rising and Isaac Wilson
Oct 7, 2024, 5:51 PM
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
TEMPE — With uncertainty surrounding Utah’s quarterback situation, Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham said on Monday his team needs to be ready for both potential starters ahead of Friday’s home game.
Utah starter Cam Rising, who entered the year as a popular Heisman pick, injured his finger in a Week 2 win over Baylor. A few game-time decisions later, Rising has yet to make his return.
Instead it’s been Isaac Wilson, a true freshman who Dillingham said was a top recruiting target for the Sun Devils out of Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon High, where he was a top-300 prospect and top-20 quarterback.
Dillingham said the Sun Devils lost the recruiting battle for Utah freshman QB Isaac Wilson, who has stepped in for Cam Rising.
He detailed a heated chess rivalry between the two: pic.twitter.com/HlHTE4nSAb
— State of the Sun Devils (@AZSportsDevils) October 7, 2024
Wilson has now played three full games after playing the second half of the first two games, the first against Southern Utah because the game was in hand and later against Baylor following Rising’s injury in the first half.
He has thrown for over 200 yards in all three full games but has one touchdown and two interceptions in each of his last two games.
Rising, however, completed 18 of his 29 passes on the season for 346 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions over the two halves.
“Without any other input, we’re all following the recommendations from the doctors,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told reporters Monday. “We’ll see what happens this week but there’s a chance, I can tell you that, it’s still early in the week. We’ll cross our fingers and hope for the best, as is Cam.”
Utah is coming off a bye week, but Steve Bartle of KSL Sports suggested the time off didn’t provide clarity on Rising’s situation.
Whittingham gave credence to this when he said there may come a point where Wilson becomes the starter the rest of the way, depending on how long Rising’s ailment lasts and how long Utah is in contention for the Big 12.
“We’re preparing to play Cam and Isaac,” Dillingham said of how he attacks a situation this murky. “Whoever we play we play, but more importantly, we’re preparing to play us. We have to be the best versions of us on (Friday) and that’s cliché and corny, but it’s the absolute truth.”
The difference in the potential quarterback matchup is dramatic.
If Rising plays, he’s certainly the best quarterback ASU has faced this season. If Wilson plays, he’s the youngest quarterback ASU has faced and the only true freshman.
KSL Sports contributed to this story.