John Humphrey of the UCLA Bruins grabs a fumble by the Utah Utes during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins argues a call during the first half of their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Carson Steele of the UCLA Bruins rushes the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Keaton Bills of the Utah Utes gets a hand on a pass attempt by Dante Moore of the UCLA Bruins during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Karene Reid of the Utah Utes tackles TJ Harden of the UCLA Bruins during the second half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Members of the Utah Utes defense and the UCLA Bruins offense line up to snap the ball during the second half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Josiah Norwood of the UCLA Bruins reacts as he leaves the field after their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Karene Reid of the Utah Utes scores a touchdown on an interception against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
The student section of the Utah Utes holds up a sign during the second half of their game against the UCLA Bruins at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Kain Medrano of the UCLA Bruins punches the ball out of the hands of Nate Johnson #13 of the Utah Utes for a fumble during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Dante Moore of the UCLA Bruins looks for a play to be called in during the second half of their game agaisnt the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins yells at his team after a time out during the first half of their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Nate Johnson of the Utah Utes runs out of the pocket against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Michael Mokofisi of the Utah Utes and Gabriel Murphy of the UCLA Bruins are separated after their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly speak before their NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly shake hands before their NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA quarterback Dante Moore (3) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA quarterback Dante Moore (3) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA quarterback Dante Moore (3) throws against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA’s linebacker JonJon Vaughns (21) and defensive back Jaylin Davies (24) tackle Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA linebacker JonJon Vaughns (21) tackles Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) is tackled by UCLA defensive back Kamari Ramsey (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) looks downfiield during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah’s Jonah Elliss (83) and Logan Fano (0) sack UCLA quarterback Dante Moore, center, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA running back Carson Steele (33) carries the ball against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA running back Carson Steele (33) catches a pass against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA quarterback Dante Moore (3) is consoled by teammate Kam Brown (0) at the end of the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah fans show their support during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah safety Cole Bishop (8) celebrates following an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) battles with Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) defends against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) catches a pass against UCLA defensive lineman Grayson Murphy (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA quarterback Dante Moore (3) throws against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah players run on the field before an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah safety Cole Bishop (8) battles with UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA running back Carson Steele (33) runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah safety Cole Bishop (8) battles with UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA players run on the field before an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
SALT LAKE CITY — A pre-game hug was about all Chip Kelly saw of Utah quarterback Cam Rising.
All week, one of the central questions in UCLA’s Pac-12 opener was whether the Bruins would get to face the former Newberry Park star. Rising, who led the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 titles is recovering from an ACL injury and is expected to return to the field soon. While he suited up and tossed the ball around in warmups, that was the extent of his official action for the day.
Instead, the Utes went with redshirt freshman Nate Johnson, which proved to be to Utah’s advantage. The more mobile Johnson was put under early pressure by linebackers Gabriel Murphy and Peter Bario but used his feet to gain 19 yards on the first possession, gaining two first downs and putting the Utes within field goal range. Backup kicker Joey Cheek missed wide right from 47 yards.
Kelly said he hopes Rising will get actual gametime soon.
“I hope Cam gets back out there and we get to see him,” Kelly said, “because I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in college football.”
FINDING HIS STRIDE
The Bruins may have struggled on offense, but it seems J.Michael Sturdivant may finally be finding his stride. After a fairly underwhelming preseason, the redshirt sophomore was on the receiving end of several of UCLA’s significant passing plays Saturday.
Though the Bruins gained just 5 yards on Sturdivant’s first catch of the day, it was significant in that it was Moore’s first downfield connection. Sturdivant also had a 41-yard catch to keep the Bruins alive on third-and-8 in the third quarter. He finished the game with three catches on six targets for 60 yards.
While things are trending in a positive direction for Sturdivant, he was still just Moore’s second-favorite receiver. Logan Loya got 11 looks from Moore, catching five of them for 63 yards. Tight end Carsen Ryan, meanwhile, was 3-for-3 for 69 yards, setting up Moore’s touchdown pass to Josiah Norwood.
Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, who missed the previous two games with an undisclosed injury, did not play.
MEDRANO’S CAREER NIGHT
*Highlighting the gritty play of the defense, senior linebacker Kain Medrano set career highs in several categories Saturday. He recorded 10 tackles (previous high of nine), 2.5 tackles for loss (1.0), and two sacks (tying his career high). He also forced a fumble.
Medrano came to UCLA as a wide receiver but transitioned to defense in 2020.
“I’m really happy with Kain. We’ve seen in the work that he’s put in,” Kelly said. “I think his transition from receiver to linebacker, I think he’s really comfortable. He’s got a really bright future in my mind.”
UP NEXT
UCLA has a bye week to lick its wounds before taking on No. 21 Washington State at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 7. The Cougars played No. 14 Oregon State in their Pac-12 opener Saturday.