Utah running back Micah Bernard out for the season

Already injury-hampered, Utah was dealt another blow on Saturday.

Published: Sept 9, 2023, 5:26 p.m. MDT

Utah Utes’ Micah Bernard runs with the ball. — Utah Utes Micah Bernard runs with the ball while playing the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Championship at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. The Utes won 47-24. Ben B. Braun, Deseret News

By Joe Coles

WACO, Texas — Already injury-hampered Utah has been dealt another blow.

After the Utes’ win against Baylor on Saturday, coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed that running back Micah Bernard suffered a season-ending injury.

“Micah Bernard’s out for the season. It’s a season-ending injury,” Whittingham said. “We will not have him the rest of the way.”

Bernard was not seen warming up before Saturday’s game in Waco, Texas.

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Expected to be Utah’s No. 2 back behind Ja’Quinden Jackson this season, Bernard rushed seven times for 45 yards in the Utes’ win against Florida.

The junior from Long Beach, California, entered the transfer portal during the offseason before deciding to go back to Utah.

Last season, while dealing with some injuries throughout the campaign, he played in all 14 of Utah’s games, rushing for 533 yards and four touchdowns, and he added 314 receiving yards and a score through the air.

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Jaylon Glover, who rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown against Baylor, will likely be elevated to second in the running back pecking order after assuming that role against the Bears.

Baylor running back Dominic Richardson (21) is tackled by Utah safety Sione Vaki (28) and Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn (5) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and Baylor head coach Dave Aranda greet each other before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Baylor line student's prepare to run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Baylor wide receiver Hal Presley (16) is tackled Utah linebacker Levani Damuni (3) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Baylor wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (11) catches the ball over Utah safety Cole Bishop in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (3) runs through the Baylor defense in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah running back Ja'Quinden Jackson breaks free for a 44-yard run as Baylor Bears safety Bryson Jackson looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (Chris Jones/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) | AP

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson throws on the run as Utah defensive end Logan Fano closes in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson runs past the Utah defense to score during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (Lauryn Amy,/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) | AP

Utah running back Ja'Quinden Jackson breaks free for a 44-yard run as Baylor Bears safety Bryson Jackson chases in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas.(Chris Jones/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) | AP

Utah running back Jaylon Glover scores a touchdown past Baylor linebacker Brooks Miller in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) scores a touchdown against Baylor in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham yells at a referee in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (3) celebrates after they defeated Baylor 20-13 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah running back Jaylon Glover celebrates with his team after defeating Baylor 20-13 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah fans endure the heat as they turn out to support their team in an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) reacts as they defeated Baylor 20-13 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

A member of the student chamber hoses down the student section in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

ESPN college football and NFL analyst and former Baylor Heisman quarterback Robert Griffin III runs onto the field with the Baylor line in an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes runs with the ball against Baylor defenders in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, left greets Baylor tight end Drake Dabney at the coin toss before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson | AP

Baylor tight end Drake Dabney (89) catches a pass in front of Utah linebacker Lander Barton (20) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) | AP

Elsewhere on the injury front, defensive tackle Simote Pepa and defensive end Connor O’Toole, who didn’t play against Florida, were out again vs. Baylor. Linebacker Karene Reid, who exited the Florida game with what looked like a head injury, was also absent against Baylor.

Of course, the Utes were missing two of their biggest offensive weapons, as quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe remained out with ACL rehabs.

Defensive tackle Junior Tafuna, meanwhile, made his season debut against Baylor after missing the opener against Florida.

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