SALT LAKE CITY — Arizona enters Saturday’s game against Utah in disarray.
The Wildcats sit in the cellar of the Pac-12 South with a 4-6 overall record (2-5 in Pac-12 play) and have lost five straight games ahead of the team’s matchup against the Utes. Arizona fired defensive coordinator Marcel Yates and linebackers coach John Rushing on Oct. 27 and fired defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei on Thursday.
Arizona has the worst defense in the Pac-12, allowing 37 points per game this season. The Wildcats gave up 51 to Washington, 41 to Stanford, 56 to Oregon State and 34 to Oregon in their five previous games. The Ducks’ first touchdown of the game came on a total defensive breakdown.
“We try and correct them, and we do correct them. In real time, things happen,” Arizona coach Sumlin said of the communication issues on the defense.
Arizona’s defense, which allowed Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert to throw for 333 yards and four touchdowns, won’t get a breather as Utah comes to town. Tyler Huntley has been on a tear this season and has thrown for over 200 passing yards in each of the last three games. Huntley threw for 335 yards in Utah’s 49-3 blowout against UCLA.
Sumlin was encouraged by the second-half run defense in the Oregon loss, but Zack Moss will be a challenge for the Arizona defense, as the senior has rushed for 955 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, including 127 yards and two touchdowns against the Bruins.
“It’s all dangerous. They’ve got one of the best running backs in the country, offensive line is great, quarterback is unbelievable in the way he does things. He’s extremely gifted to be able to throw it and run as fast as he does. He’s accurate.” — Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin on the Utes
“It’s all dangerous. They’ve got one of the best running backs in the country, offensive line is great, quarterback is unbelievable in the way he does things. He’s extremely gifted to be able to throw it and run as fast as he does. He’s accurate,” Sumlin said.
Sumlin said that Utah’s combination of a great quarterback and running back presents challenges for the Wildcats.
“Their scheme gives them a chance because most people, when you have a running back like they have, you’ve got to load the line of scrimmage. They’ve got guys that can get down the field and be successful. Play-action pass is a big deal, ball getting over people’s heads. I think it all starts with their run game,” Sumlin said.
On offense, Khalil Tate — who appeared on the 2018 Sports Illustrated college football preview cover with the tagline “He’s the nation’s best QB. Hand him the Heisman” — hasn’t had the career many people thought he would. He struggled through injuries all of 2018 as Arizona limped to just five wins last year. This year, Tate has split time at quarterback with freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell. Tate has thrown for 1,687 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Gunnell has passed for 1,143 yards and nine touchdowns. In the Oregon loss, Gunnell was 10 of 14 for 82 yards, while Tate was 7 of 16 for 50 yards.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Utes will prepare for both quarterbacks and said differences between the two quarterbacks are drastic. He described Tate an “athletic guy” that has good speed and athleticism and throws a good deep ball, while Gunnell is a more traditional pocket passer.
“The good thing is both of them have extensive film, both of them have had significant reps,” defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley said.
Arizona’s passing offense is potent, ranking No. 3 in the conference with 283 yards per game, while its rushing is second to only Utah, gaining 187 yards per contest.
“Very good system, No. 2 in the conference in terms of rushing offense, I think No. 3 in passing offense, so they do a really good job and they’re coached up well,” Scalley said.
Junior running back J.J. Taylor leads the Wildcats’ rushing attack with 640 yards and five touchdowns.
“He’s kind of like Eno Benjamin, just not quite as big as Eno but runs every bit as tough. You can’t believe he’s 5-6, 185 pounds the way he runs. He punishes people,” Whittingham said.
Arizona’s offensive line is plagued with injuries, with three experienced offensive linemen — Bryson Cain, Cody Creason and Josh McCauley out for the Oregon game, while freshman Jordan Morgan was injured in the Oregon game. Sumlin said that Cain, Creason and McCauley were doubtful for the Utah game.
McCauley started every game at center before getting injured and missing the Oregon game, while Creason had started six games at right guard, Cain had started three at right guard and Morgan started the Oregon game at right guard.
“When you’re playing teams that are top-10 football teams, with guys that probably haven’t played a bunch, it becomes a difficult task,” Sumlin said.
The Utes will try and collect their second straight victory in Tucson on Saturday at 8 p.m. MST.
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Utes on the air
No. 7 Utah (9-1, 6-1)
at Arizona (4-6, 2-5)
Arizona Stadium — Tucson
TV: FS1
Radio: ESPN 700AM