“He can beat you with his arm and his legs. “(Rising is) a dynamic player,” Kelly said. UCLA must be prepared for quarterback Cameron Rising’s passing ability and the likelihood that he will test true freshman Devin Kirkwood, who is expected to start in place of Johnson. The Bruins have been susceptible to giving up explosive plays this season, and they will be without cornerback Cameron Johnson for the first half because of a targeting penalty. The Bruins must also account for Utah defensive end Mika Tafua, who leads the Pac-12 with 5½ sacks this season.

The Bruins would benefit from taking a similar approach on Saturday, regardless of the quarterback situation, while Utah’s leading tackler (Devin Lloyd) is serving a first-half suspension because of a targeting penalty called during their game against Oregon State last week. The UCLA offense produced a fast start against Oregon, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told local reporters earlier this week that he would be shocked if Thompson-Robinson did not play. Thompson-Robinson has progressed throughout the week and was seen throwing the ball during practice on Wednesday, when reporters were last allowed to view practice. Kelly has stated that the Bruins remain confident in redshirt freshman Ethan Garbers if he is needed. Four-year starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a hand/wrist injury that could keep him off the field or limit his play-making ability. There’s still a question about who will start at quarterback for the Bruins this week. The UCLA duo must re-establish the run against a Utah defense that has allowed at least 148 rushing yards in four of its seven games. The UCLA offense was held to 110 yards rushing last week, the third time the Bruins have been held below 200 yards this season (all losses). The production of running backs Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown was limited against an Oregon defense led by Kayvon Thibodeaux and Noah Sewell last week. A win would also make the Bruins bowl eligible for the first time since 2017.

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