Chip Kelly gives first thoughts on Utah's quarterback situation

This weekend, UCLA travels to Utah to take on the Utes in a key, early season Pac-12 game. However, ahead of the game, both teams are dealing with issues at the quarterback position. For head coach Chip Kelly, that can make preparing for the game tough.

The problem Utah has been dealing with to open the season is the health of Cam Rising. He was injured in the Rose Bowl with a torn ACL and hasn’t played in 2023 because of his recovery. However, there is a chance he will return, which makes it difficult to know what to expect from Utah.

“I don’t know,” Chip Kelly said. “That’s a good question. I’ve got a ton of respect for Cam Rising. I think he’s an amazing competitor. We’ve played against him before. He’s been one of the top quarterbacks, not only in this league but in the country for a long time.”

Nate Johnson has primarily worked as the replacement for Utah in the Utes’ first three games, all of which they won. Along with Johnson, Utah has also played Bryson Barnes. So, Kelly has three different quarterbacks he may need to prepare for, depending on Rising’s health.

“So, I’m sure Kyle [Whittingham] is always making decisions based on health and safety. Nate Johnson played really well the last couple weeks, but I think you’ve got to prepare for all three.”

Chip Kelly did add that if Rising is healthy enough to go, there won’t be rust. He expects the “full version” of Cam Rising in the game.

Rising has led Utah to back-to-back Pac-12 championships, throwing for 3,034 yards and 26 touchdowns last season while also rushing for another 465 yards and six touchdowns.

Chip Kelly is adjusting to new clock rules

There are new clock rules in college football this season, with the design being to speed up the pace of the game. In particular, the clock no longer stops on first downs and this could limit the number of possessions that teams get throughout the game.

Chip Kelly has made it clear that he doesn’t like these changes, but he also admitted that he needs to find a way to adjust to the new rules.

“You’ve got to look at everything. So, I think that’s all part of the process. We’ll adapt because I’d be very surprised if the NCAA said tomorrow, ‘Hey, we’re gonna change it back,'” Kelly said.

“That’s not going to happen. So, it is what it is. I mean, that’s our job to adapt to it.”