2 min read • December 30, 2022
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The Utah Utes (10-3) will play the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) in the Rose Bowl on Monday, Jan. 2, at 5:00 p.m. ET. This will be the last Rose Bowl in its current format because of the changes coming to the College Football Playoff.
The Utes are coming off winning the Pac-12 championship after beating USC for the second time this season. But Utah’s road to winning a Pac-12 title wasn’t without injuries.
Utah’s starting running, Tavion Thomas, suffered a toe injury in the team’s game against Oregon, which ended his season. Thomas had over 1,100 yards last season and had already run for 687 yards this season.
Luckily for the Utes have four players besides Thomas that have over 300 yards rushing this season. Ja'Quinden Jackson rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the Pac-12 championship game. Utah has shown that they are a team full of athletic players.
Quarterback Cameron Rising completed 241 passes for 2,939 and 25 passing touchdowns. He added 409 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to his total. But Rising will be without both of his tight ends in this matchup.
Both Dalton Kincaid and Brant Kuithe will not play in the rose bowl. Kuithe tore his ACL earlier in the season, while Kincaid said on social media that he plans to rehab his injury and prepare for the NFL draft.
“I have cherished every single moment I have stepped on the football field, and my time at both Utah and USD is something I will hold in my heart forever,” Kincaid said. “I will never forget every drop of blood and sweat, every triumph, every tear shed, and every memory made. Throughout the journey as a football player, I have learned, and grown, and pushed myself to places I never thought possible. I have experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and these bonds, and lessons, and relationships I know will last a lifetime.”
The Utes will also be without star cornerback Clark Phillips III, who was named to the Walter Camp All-America team and has declared for the NFL Draft. Phillips is tied for the most interceptions this season among Power Five players (6), also tying for second overall in the country.
Utah is favored by 2.5 points against Penn State, and the over/under is 52.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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