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Brant Kuithe’s long-awaited return to the gridiron could not have been more impressive. After an ACL injury sidelined him for nearly two years, the veteran tight end marked his comeback with a performance for the ages, leading No. 12 Utah to a resounding 49-0 victory over Southern Utah in their season opener.
Kuithe, a native of Katy, Texas, wasted no time in making his presence felt. Exploiting gaps in Southern Utah’s defense, he found himself in the end zone three times before halftime, achieving a “hat trick” of touchdowns—a rare feat in football. His first touchdown came on a perfectly executed play action, where quarterback Cam Rising faked a handoff to Mike Mitchell, leaving Kuithe wide open for a 29-yard touchdown reception. Kuithe’s second touchdown was just as impressive, an 18-yard catch that extended Utah’s lead to 21-0.
However, Kuithe saved his most remarkable play for last. Fighting through four defenders, he powered his way into the end zone on a 7-yard reception, capping off his three-touchdown night. Kuithe finished the game with four receptions for 69 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first tight end in Big 12 history to score three touchdowns in a half.
Reflecting on his historic night, Kuithe downplayed the individual accolades, focusing instead on the team’s success.
“Honestly, I don't really care [about the records],” Kuithe said. “I just want to win games. And whatever it takes—score touchdowns or not—it doesn’t matter. I just want to win.”
While Kuithe was the night’s standout, he wasn’t the only player to shine. Redshirt freshman running back Dijon Stanley made a significant impact early in the game. He showcased his speed on a wheel route, catching a 64-yard touchdown pass from Rising, marking Utah’s first score of the season. Stanley followed up with another long touchdown catch, this time for 79 yards, pushing the Utes' lead to 28-0. Rising, who threw for 254 yards and five touchdowns on the night, credited his teammates for making his job easier. “It's nice and easy when you've got a guy like [Kuithe] that’s gonna make your job easy,” Rising said.
Utah’s defense was equally dominant, stifling Southern Utah’s offense throughout the game. Veteran defensive end Van Fillinger, who recorded two of Utah’s five sacks, joked about the team’s defensive coordinator, Morgan Scalley, being pleased with the shutout. “When Scalley is happy, everyone else is happy,” Fillinger quipped. The Utes’ defense held strong, preventing Southern Utah from scoring, even as the Thunderbirds missed a late 38-yard field goal attempt.
Freshman backup quarterback Isaac Wilson, who took over in the second half, experienced a baptism by fire. After a rocky start, including a sack and an interception, Wilson settled down to lead Utah on a touchdown drive and threw his first collegiate touchdown pass. Despite the challenges, head coach Kyle Whittingham expressed confidence in Wilson’s potential, acknowledging the learning curve but highlighting the freshman’s strong arm and mobility.
Utah’s comprehensive performance, marked by offensive fireworks and defensive solidity, sets a high bar as the Utes look ahead to the rest of the season. For Kuithe, Rising, and the rest of the team, the focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum and continuing their winning ways.
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