In a dominant performance, No. 12 Utah football defeated Southern Utah 49-0 in their first game as a member of the Big 12 Conference. Quarterback Cam Rising returned after a serious knee injury, throwing for 254 yards and five touchdowns, while tight end Brant Kuithe set a Big 12 record with three touchdown catches in a single half. The Utes scored 28 points in the second quarter alone, with a total of 513 yards of offense, marking their highest output since 2023. Rising's performance marked a significant milestone for the Utes, who celebrated their 15th consecutive win over FCS opponents. Southern Utah struggled to compete, having lost 15 straight games to FBS teams, and was unable to capitalize on their limited opportunities. The victory underscores Utah's strong start to the season and their return to form after a challenging prior year.