Utah wore helmets on Saturday against USC in memory of two players who lost their lives over the last two years.
The Utes then delivered a memorable game, scoring with 48 seconds left and eschewing a PAT for a 2-point conversion that gave them a 43-42 victory in Pac-12 play.
Cam Rising scored the touchdown to bring the Utes within 42-41 on a 1-yard run.
Coach Kyle Whittingham never blinked, immediately deciding to go for 2 points to take the lead.
Rising dropped back to pass but saw no one open and took off for the end zone and the points that decided the game and knocked USC from the unbeaten ranks.
UTAH LEADS!@Utah_Football converts for 2 to take the 1-point lead late! pic.twitter.com/e2R04hx8SI
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 16, 2022
Rising accounted for 475 yards and 5 TDs, 2 passing, and 3 rushing.
Utah’s Dalton Kincaid had 16 receptions for an astonishing 234 yards.
Utah's Dalton Kincaid finished one reception shy of the single-game FBS record for a tight end tonight. New Mexico's Emilio Vallez had 17 vs UTEP in 1967 and Northwestern's Jon Harvey had 17 vs Michigan in 1982.
Cameron Rising was 16-of-16 targeting Kincaid in the Utes' victory.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 16, 2022
The hand-painted helmets honored Aaron Lowe and Ty Jordan, who both wore the No. 22 jersey, were friends when they were younger in Texas and both died within a year of each other.
This is what it means for @Utah_Football ❤️🌹 pic.twitter.com/qnpIHNIyQj
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 16, 2022
The custom helmets remember the teammates who the team has rallied around. The Utes have also worn the “22” decal with the initials T.J. and A.L. inside the two numbers depicting a heart.