If the Wildcats were to extend their winning streak in their head-to-head against Utah, they might have to do it with a third-string quarterback under center.
Anu Solomon is out with a knee injury while backup Brandon Dawkins hurt his rib in last week’s 45-24 loss to UCLA forcing him to miss the entire second half so the likely option this Saturday is true freshman Khalil Tate, who had a solid showing in lieu of Dawkins against the Bruins. Tate passed for 72 yards and two touchdowns on 5 of 9 completions while leading the Wildcats in rushing yards with 79 on 15 carries.
With the dual-threat Tate set to reappear this Saturday, expect Arizona’s robust ground game not to miss a beat. Arizona is 18th nationally in rushing yards per game with 246.8 per game.
Still, the Wildcats will have to reach to their passing game to soften up Utah’s stout D on the ground. Whoever Arizona’s QB will be this Saturday will have the likes of Shun Brown and Trey Griffey waiting for passes downfield. Brown paces the team with 263 receiving yards while Griffey has 197 thus far on the season.
After tasting their first defeat of the season, the Utes want to bounce back in a big way—like ending their losing streak to Arizona in front of a big crowd in Salt Lake City this Saturday.
Utah, which lost on the road to California 28-23 last Saturday, returns home carrying a 4-1 overall record. The Utes are also 9-1 SU in their last 10 games as the home team.
Quarterback Troy Williams has been efficient this season in directing the passing game of the Utes, as evidenced by his 60.7 completion percentage. Against the Bears, Williams passed for 266 yards on 24 of 43 completions but did not find anyone for a touchdown.
Williams may have to defer to the team’s running backs in trying to dent much of Arizona’s defense. The backfield combo of Zack Moss and Armand Shyne has the chops to take advantage of Arizona’s stop unit that allows 183.60 rushing yards per game.
