The Wildcats fell to 3-6 in Brent Brennan’s first season at the helm in Tucson. Check out our postgame thoughts and analysis following Arizona’s 56-12 road loss against UCF on Saturday:
Offense:
– Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan continue to fight and prove that they are the leaders Wildcat Nation knew they were returning to Arizona. Even with the UA down 42-6, T-Mac’s one-hand touchdown reception was one of the most impressive catches of the year and showed why he is still a first-round NFL Draft pick.
– Wide receiver Chris Hunter continues to shine for a dull Arizona offense. After scoring his first career touchdown against Colorado, Hunter notched his first career 100-yard game against UCF on Saturday. With the lack of production from the rest of Arizona’s receiving core, outside of Tetairoa McMillan (of course), his chemistry and rapport with Noah Fifita is encouraging, and Matt Adkins and Co. would be wise to continue treating Hunter as WR2. After the game, QB Noah Fifita said given all the work Hunter has put in from Spring Ball to now, it was only a matter of time.
– Michael Wooten is a liability for Arizona every time he touches the field. In his defense, the Wildcats have faced some of the Big 12′ toughest defensive fronts since Rhino Tapa’atoutai’s injury, but it is still subtraction by addition with Wooten right now. He was so lost at times, that during the 3rd Quarter, he ran right in front of Chris Hunter on a WR screen, knocking him to the ground and wiping away a likely first down. It’s time to see what a guy like Nevada transfer Joey Capra or true-freshman Matthew Lado can do.
Defense:
– Duane Akina and Co. have done a masterful job trying to keep Arizona’s defense afloat this season, but there is only so much you can do. The Wildcats failed to sack the quarterback and were unable to force a turnover on Saturday in Orlando – that is not a recipe for success.
– Arizona’s inability to bring players to ground cost them more than just some tough yards after catch and their pride, it also cost them at least 45 yards in penalties. In the first quarter, Jack Luttrell picked up a personal foul after attempting to punch the ball out from UCF QB Dylan Rizk through a scrum of Wildcat defenders. Then, in the third quarter, a pair of face masks by Tacario Davis and Isaiah Johnson came as a result of missed tackles and having to compromise fundamentals to ultimately get a guy on the ground.
– Things could always be worse…could you imagine Arizona’s defense without Dalton Johnson. With season-ending injuries to Treydan Stukes, Gunner Maldonado, and Jacob Manu, his tackling and leadership have been some of the few constants for the Wildcats. In the last couple of weeks, his move into the box into a “Martell Irby-esque” role has taken some pressure off of Arizona’s young linebacker core in Taye Brown and Kamuela Ka’aihue. He finished yesterday as Arizona’s second-leading tackler with nine total tackles as well as a forced fumble.
Special Teams:
– True-freshman punter Michael Salgado-Medina impressed. With the offensive struggles, his ability to pin opposing teams deep is helping give the defense a chance. Salgado-Medina had a 71-yard punt, as well as a punt downed at the one yard line in Saturday’s loss.
– Is everything okay with Tyler Loop? After starting his career with 119 straight PAT attempts, Loop has missed a PAT in back-to-back games. Loop is still arguably the best kicker in program history, and will absolutely play on Sundays, but his recent struggles are certainly a head-scratcher.
Fans:
– Let’s not sugar coat it, Arizona’s 56-12 road loss against UCF was tough to watch. Regardless of how you feel about the on-field product, the coaching staff, or the season, Wildcat Nation should absolutely be at Arizona Stadium on Friday, 11/15, against Houston. The Pride of Arizona is being presented with the 2024 Sudler Trophy, also referred to as the “Heisman” of collegiate marching band. The award, presented every other year, can only be won by a marching band once, so this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for Arizona fans.