Yardbarker
x
USC LB blasts Utah QB with potential hit of the year
USC Trojans linebacker Ralen Goforth. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: USC LB Ralen Goforth blasts Utah QB Cameron Rising with potential hit of the year

By Mike Santa Barbara  |  Last updated Dec 3, 2022 12:00 AM ET

USC linebacker Ralen Goforth laid the potential hit of the year on Utah quarterback Cameron Rising in Friday night's Pac-12 title game. 

With 3:50 left in the third quarter, and Utah facing a 3rd-and-3 near midfield, Rising scrambled in search of the first down before being met by Goforth with a hit so thunderous it popped the quarterback's helmet into the air. 

Miraculously, not only did Rising hold on to the football, but he popped up quickly to his feet after the hit, seemingly no worse for wear. 

There was no call for targeting on the play, but separate angles of the hit appear to show Rising's helmet as the primary point of contact. 

Rising and the Utes got the last laugh on the scoreboard, topping the Trojans 47-24 to capture back-to-back Pac-12 championships. 

The junior shined in the victory, finishing 22-of-34 for 310 yards and three touchdowns, including two of 50 yards or more. 

With 10:33 left in the third quarter, Rising tossed the go-ahead score, connecting with Money Parks on a 57-yard touchdown.

In the fourth, with 10:08 left to go and Utah leading 27-24, Rising found Thomas Yassmin on a 60-yard score, all but sealing the victory. 

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on X at @mike__sb

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!