Isaac Wilson Makes Utes History in Victory Against No. 14 Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. — With veteran quarterback Cam Rising out for a second consecutive week, No. 12 Utah turned to backup Isaac Wilson for their inaugural Big 12 game. The true freshman rose to the occasion, leading the Utes to a significant 22-19 victory over No. 14 Oklahoma State.

In only his second career start, Wilson completed 17 of 29 passes for 207 yards, including one touchdown and two interceptions. His performance made him the first true freshman quarterback in Utah’s history to defeat an AP Top 25 opponent.

“I was impressed with how he kept his composure and never got discouraged,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Even after throwing a couple of picks, he stayed focused. His running ability really shined through. He made a crucial 40- or 50-yard run and another tough run in the red zone that was vital for us. He’s a real competitor.”

Prior to the game, Rising’s status was uncertain as ESPN reported he would be a game-time decision against Oklahoma State. Rising, who has not played since injuring his throwing hand against Baylor on September 7, has spent significant time on the sidelines. In Rising’s absence, Wilson had previously made his first career start against Utah State, throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns.

During the week leading up to the game, Whittingham indicated that both quarterbacks shared practice reps. Before the game, Rising donned a protective glove and took starter’s reps during warmups. Ultimately, the decision was made to start Wilson in the crucial matchup.

“When he’s ready, he’ll be ready. That’s the best I can say,” Whittingham mentioned regarding Rising’s condition. He added, “It was literally a game-time decision. After warm-ups, we had a little discussion and decided Isaac was our best option. Cam agreed, and that’s the route we went.”

Utah showcased their physicality during the game, outgaining Oklahoma State on the ground with 249 rushing yards compared to just 48 for the Cowboys. Sixth-year running back Micah Bernard led the team with a career-high 182 yards, becoming the first Utah rusher to surpass 150 yards since Zack Moss did so against Stanford in 2018.

Wilson, who is the younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, played a pivotal role in the victory, solidifying Utah’s status as early favorites in the Big 12 this season.

A high school state champion and ranked as ESPN’s 13th best pocket passer for the 2024 class, Isaac Wilson began his start with a few hiccups, including an interception that ended Utah’s second series. However, he quickly demonstrated his resilience by successfully completing 11 of his next 14 passes, with five of those gaining over 15 yards.

The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Wilson made a decisive read and connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brant Kuithe, marking what proved to be the winning score. Utah managed to fend off a late comeback attempt from Oklahoma State, showcasing their defensive resilience.

Wilson’s ability to make plays with his legs was also noteworthy. Facing a fourth-and-short in the second quarter, he powered through a defender to keep a drive alive, which culminated in a touchdown. His speed was further highlighted with a 48-yard run shortly after halftime, illustrating his capability as a dual-threat quarterback.

Utah’s effective execution was a stark contrast to the struggles faced by Oklahoma State’s quarterbacking situation. Starting quarterback Alan Bowman had a rough start, finishing the first half with only eight completions out of 22 attempts for 89 yards and one interception. At halftime, coach Mike Gundy opted to switch to redshirt sophomore Garret Rangel, who struggled with the offense as well.

In four series under Rangel, the Cowboys managed just 32 yards and one first down while the Utes extended their lead to 22-3. Bowman later returned to the game, redeeming himself somewhat by completing several late passes, including two touchdowns, as Oklahoma State mounted a comeback, ultimately gaining 127 yards on their final two drives.

Despite the late-game rally, the earlier inconsistency from Oklahoma State’s offense raised concerns. Gundy, however, committed to keeping Bowman as the starter moving forward, as the Cowboys prepare for a tough matchup with No. 13 Kansas State in Week 5.

“Sometimes, a player just needs to calm down,” Gundy explained. “I thought we weren’t playing well, so I tried to give him a break with a different quarterback. But ultimately, he came back in.”