It was another busy week for Arizona as it heads into an important weekend. The football program is starting to get a little more buzz and positivity heading into its Saturday matchup with UCLA while the basketball program broke its silence and had members of the team speak to the media for the first time last week.
There is all that plus continued recruiting for the Wildcats. Sorry for the delay but here is this week’s GOAZCATS.com War Room.
Football
It was a potentially season-changing week for Arizona coming off its bye and loss to Utah. The Wildcats went into Colorado and came out with a 45-42 win sparked by a record-setting performance from quarterback Khalil Tate. The win has energized the program again heading into a big matchup with UCLA this Saturday night.
* As we do every week we will delve into Arizona’s previous game a bit more breaking down each position group and giving our take on who performed well and what things could be concerning. Since it is already well into the week we will keep this portion concise.
- Quarterbacks: Well, it was really the story of the game and across the country. Tate’s 327 yards on 14 carries is the new record for a quarterback in a single game rushing the ball. Fans had been calling for the UA sophomore to get on the field and as his health improved so did his chances. We had been saying all along to watch the week after the bye week as that next opportunity and Tate was likely going to play Saturday anyway. It happened sooner than expected with Brandon Dawkins going down on a late hit brining an opportunity that Tate very well might not give back.
The most impressive thing about Tate’s performance was his ability to escape tackles and make the right plays when the situation called for it. Arizona is going to live with his improvising because of his improving ability to read the field. We have known this going back to his days as a recruit but he is much more engaged when the lights go on. He has admitted to getting bored at times in practice settings and this coaching staff, mainly the head coach, put a high importance on practicing hard. At a certain point, though, the staff has to look past that and we have arrived at that moment.
- Running backs: Because Tate was running the ball so well the Wildcats’ running backs didn’t get a ton of work but all three of the top backs had a carry and were able to get in the action some. Nick Wilson continues to be the leader of that group and while he hasn’t quite had that breakout game since returning from injury he is running the ball well. Someone who has quietly struggled a bit is JJ Taylor who has not quite looked like he did a year ago before he broke his ankle. His escapability is still there but he has not had the big runs he became known for early in his freshman year. He feels due for a big night, so we’ll see if it comes this week. Right now with teams working to force Arizona to pass the ball it is making it hard on the running backs to get going leaving the room for the quarterbacks to make plays.
- Receivers: It was the game the coaching staff was most proud of the receivers maybe all season long yet there were only 13 passes thrown. Theron Aych’s group was fully bought in to blocking for Tate in the game and it showed. The group should have more opportunities moving forward and the unit has a bit more trust with Tate at the helm.
- Tight ends: Trevor Wood started the game, which was a good sign, but after dropping a short pass he asked to come out after being hit. He reentered the game later on but it ended up being a strong performance for Bryce Wolma again. His biggest play came on a third and four that Arizona had to have and he continues to impress with his play. Right now Arizona is going to lean on Wood who is a better run blocker but Wolma has certainly carved out a role for himself as Arizona’s quarterbacks have used him quite a bit this year. Both guys will be a big part of the game plan moving forward.
- Offensive line: Because so much attention was given to Tate’s performance the work up front went a bit under the radar. However, center Nathan Eldridge had one of his best performances of his career in the win. He was doing a great job of playing with good leverage and really creating some push. It’s a performance the team has been talking about this week and one that the staff was happy with. Arizona gave up no sacks in the game, which is not shocking considering all the running, but it also didn’t have any penalties either. Both those things are important moving forward.
- Defensive line: Arizona continues to have to work with a banged up defensive line a bit with Parker Zellers not fully healthy but it still didn’t have a great performance Saturday. The coaching staff put extra emphasis on getting after the quarterback and the team had its best showing in that regard with four sacks, but what it took away from was the run defense and while that was partly due to other elements within the defense the line wasn’t doing much to help the rest of the group. It wasn’t able to get any push on running plays and that eventually let Phillip Lindsay rush for nearly 300 yards. Dereck Boles continues to be the difference maker up front for the group.
- Linebackers: The one group that will shoulder the blame for what happened on the ground against Colorado is the linebacker unit. The group didn’t do a good job of setting the edge and when the Buffs brought out some extra blockers to overload the line it worked and the linebackers struggled. They remained active but the tackles weren’t coming as easily and it was a night of learning for the mostly freshman unit. The group is going to get tested this week in pass coverage but getting back to what it does defending against the run will be important as well.
- Safeties: Arizona’s safety group is an interesting one. On one hand it is capable of being its most productive at all three positions but on the other hand it always seems to be the weak link against the pass. Colorado had multiple chances to hit on big plays down the field if not for overthrows and that should be concerning with the top-ranked passing attack coming to town this weekend. The staff continues to mix it up between its coverages but the middle of the field remains a soft spot in the defense. Scottie Young saw plenty of action and finished as the top tackler in the game, but the pressure will be on him this week to make the right decisions against the pass.
- Cornerbacks: UA’s cornerbacks are continuing to grow. Jace Whittaker had a strong game when it comes to breaking up passes but he has yet to play a perfect game. He is seeing less balls thrown his way as teams test redshirt freshman Lorenzo Burns who continues to grow at the position. His mistakes are becoming fewer but Saturday’s game will be a true test. UCLA is going to try and test him so it will be key for him to stay with his man and recover well if he gets beat at any point.
- Special teams: Arizona’s special teams took care of its job in the game. Josh Pollack made his only field goal try and Lucas Havrisik kicked seven touchbacks on eight tries. The snaps have settled down and Tyrell Johnson had a strong kickoff return on his only try of the game. The coaching staff simply wants the group to do its job and it did that Saturday.
* As for this week the plan is to roll out there with Khalil Tate and that adds some extra juice to the game. It is an important one for Rodriguez and a win should secure his future with program and give the team some confidence heading into a tough part of the schedule with Washington State and USC on the horizon.
There should be nothing hidden about this game. There is one thing UCLA does well and there is one thing Arizona does well and it will be about who does it better. The Bruins want to throw the ball and have the top passing offense in the country while Arizona has the fourth-best rushing offense nationally. UCLA struggles against the run defensively and Arizona has not proven that it can stop passing teams. There are sure to be some wrinkles thrown in there but the cards will certainly mostly be on the table as the teams battle it out Saturday.
There is all that plus continued recruiting for the Wildcats. Sorry for the delay but here is this week’s GOAZCATS.com War Room.
Football
It was a potentially season-changing week for Arizona coming off its bye and loss to Utah. The Wildcats went into Colorado and came out with a 45-42 win sparked by a record-setting performance from quarterback Khalil Tate. The win has energized the program again heading into a big matchup with UCLA this Saturday night.
* As we do every week we will delve into Arizona’s previous game a bit more breaking down each position group and giving our take on who performed well and what things could be concerning. Since it is already well into the week we will keep this portion concise.
- Quarterbacks: Well, it was really the story of the game and across the country. Tate’s 327 yards on 14 carries is the new record for a quarterback in a single game rushing the ball. Fans had been calling for the UA sophomore to get on the field and as his health improved so did his chances. We had been saying all along to watch the week after the bye week as that next opportunity and Tate was likely going to play Saturday anyway. It happened sooner than expected with Brandon Dawkins going down on a late hit brining an opportunity that Tate very well might not give back.
The most impressive thing about Tate’s performance was his ability to escape tackles and make the right plays when the situation called for it. Arizona is going to live with his improvising because of his improving ability to read the field. We have known this going back to his days as a recruit but he is much more engaged when the lights go on. He has admitted to getting bored at times in practice settings and this coaching staff, mainly the head coach, put a high importance on practicing hard. At a certain point, though, the staff has to look past that and we have arrived at that moment.
- Running backs: Because Tate was running the ball so well the Wildcats’ running backs didn’t get a ton of work but all three of the top backs had a carry and were able to get in the action some. Nick Wilson continues to be the leader of that group and while he hasn’t quite had that breakout game since returning from injury he is running the ball well. Someone who has quietly struggled a bit is JJ Taylor who has not quite looked like he did a year ago before he broke his ankle. His escapability is still there but he has not had the big runs he became known for early in his freshman year. He feels due for a big night, so we’ll see if it comes this week. Right now with teams working to force Arizona to pass the ball it is making it hard on the running backs to get going leaving the room for the quarterbacks to make plays.
- Receivers: It was the game the coaching staff was most proud of the receivers maybe all season long yet there were only 13 passes thrown. Theron Aych’s group was fully bought in to blocking for Tate in the game and it showed. The group should have more opportunities moving forward and the unit has a bit more trust with Tate at the helm.
- Tight ends: Trevor Wood started the game, which was a good sign, but after dropping a short pass he asked to come out after being hit. He reentered the game later on but it ended up being a strong performance for Bryce Wolma again. His biggest play came on a third and four that Arizona had to have and he continues to impress with his play. Right now Arizona is going to lean on Wood who is a better run blocker but Wolma has certainly carved out a role for himself as Arizona’s quarterbacks have used him quite a bit this year. Both guys will be a big part of the game plan moving forward.
- Offensive line: Because so much attention was given to Tate’s performance the work up front went a bit under the radar. However, center Nathan Eldridge had one of his best performances of his career in the win. He was doing a great job of playing with good leverage and really creating some push. It’s a performance the team has been talking about this week and one that the staff was happy with. Arizona gave up no sacks in the game, which is not shocking considering all the running, but it also didn’t have any penalties either. Both those things are important moving forward.
- Defensive line: Arizona continues to have to work with a banged up defensive line a bit with Parker Zellers not fully healthy but it still didn’t have a great performance Saturday. The coaching staff put extra emphasis on getting after the quarterback and the team had its best showing in that regard with four sacks, but what it took away from was the run defense and while that was partly due to other elements within the defense the line wasn’t doing much to help the rest of the group. It wasn’t able to get any push on running plays and that eventually let Phillip Lindsay rush for nearly 300 yards. Dereck Boles continues to be the difference maker up front for the group.
- Linebackers: The one group that will shoulder the blame for what happened on the ground against Colorado is the linebacker unit. The group didn’t do a good job of setting the edge and when the Buffs brought out some extra blockers to overload the line it worked and the linebackers struggled. They remained active but the tackles weren’t coming as easily and it was a night of learning for the mostly freshman unit. The group is going to get tested this week in pass coverage but getting back to what it does defending against the run will be important as well.
- Safeties: Arizona’s safety group is an interesting one. On one hand it is capable of being its most productive at all three positions but on the other hand it always seems to be the weak link against the pass. Colorado had multiple chances to hit on big plays down the field if not for overthrows and that should be concerning with the top-ranked passing attack coming to town this weekend. The staff continues to mix it up between its coverages but the middle of the field remains a soft spot in the defense. Scottie Young saw plenty of action and finished as the top tackler in the game, but the pressure will be on him this week to make the right decisions against the pass.
- Cornerbacks: UA’s cornerbacks are continuing to grow. Jace Whittaker had a strong game when it comes to breaking up passes but he has yet to play a perfect game. He is seeing less balls thrown his way as teams test redshirt freshman Lorenzo Burns who continues to grow at the position. His mistakes are becoming fewer but Saturday’s game will be a true test. UCLA is going to try and test him so it will be key for him to stay with his man and recover well if he gets beat at any point.
- Special teams: Arizona’s special teams took care of its job in the game. Josh Pollack made his only field goal try and Lucas Havrisik kicked seven touchbacks on eight tries. The snaps have settled down and Tyrell Johnson had a strong kickoff return on his only try of the game. The coaching staff simply wants the group to do its job and it did that Saturday.
* As for this week the plan is to roll out there with Khalil Tate and that adds some extra juice to the game. It is an important one for Rodriguez and a win should secure his future with program and give the team some confidence heading into a tough part of the schedule with Washington State and USC on the horizon.
There should be nothing hidden about this game. There is one thing UCLA does well and there is one thing Arizona does well and it will be about who does it better. The Bruins want to throw the ball and have the top passing offense in the country while Arizona has the fourth-best rushing offense nationally. UCLA struggles against the run defensively and Arizona has not proven that it can stop passing teams. There are sure to be some wrinkles thrown in there but the cards will certainly mostly be on the table as the teams battle it out Saturday.
