The grades are in for Arizona’s 18-16 loss to BYU at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Saturday night:
Position: Quarterbacks
Grade: D-plus
Comment: Anu Solomon got the start, played the entire game and did not play well. He threw two interceptions, took four sacks and did not throw a touchdown pass. He did help position the Wildcats for two late touchdowns.
Position: Running backs
Grade: B-plus
Comment: Nick Wilson had a monster second half, rushing nine times for 120 yards and the UA’s only two touchdowns. He finished with 17 carries for 138 yards in an impressive bounce-back performance after an injury-plagued 2015. Orlando Bradford and J.J. Taylor never got into the flow (one carry apiece), through no fault of their own.
Position: Receivers/tight ends
Grade: C-plus
Comment: Nate Phillips and Trey Griffey combined for 11 catches for 135 yards. Samajie Grant (3-14) struggled to get going. Tyrell Johnson (2-28) and Shawn Poindexter (1-19) had moments. Did a collective inability to get open lead to some of BYU’s sacks?
Position: Offensive linemen
Grade: C
Comment: The scoreless first half was rough for everybody, the line included. Because of penetration into the backfield, the Wildcats ended up with minus-12 net rushing yards at halftime. The line helped Wilson bust out in the second half. Worth noting: Redshirt freshman Nathan Eldridge was making his first career start at center.
Position: Defensive front
Grade: B
Comment: Cougars RB Jamaal Williams eventually wore down the Wildcats’ undersized front. And QB Taysom Hill escaped pressure a few too many times. But the front held up better than most expected. Paul Magloire Jr., DeAndre’ Miller and Justin Belknap combined for five of the team’s seven tackles for losses.
Position: Defensive backs
Grade: B
Comment: There were a handful of untimely breakdowns, but generally speaking the unit played well. Safety Tellas Jones was having a huge game (five tackles) before getting hurt in the second quarter; replacement Anthony Mariscal, in his college debut, came in and contributed six tackles (one for a loss) and a pass breakup. CBs Dane Cruikshank and DaVonte’ Neal did not allow any big plays but need to display better ball awareness.
Position: Special teams
Grade: B-minus
Comment: A mixed bag here. Josh Pollack made a 46-yard field goal but missed a 52-yarder. He averaged 47.5 yards per punt, but his 55-yarder netted only 28 because of a 27-yard return. Half of Edgar Gastelum’s four kickoffs went for touchbacks. Johnson had a 33-yard kickoff return but gained only 32 yards on his other two tries.
Position: Coaches
Grade: C
Comment: This was going to be a game of adjustments, and the scoreboard says Arizona “won” the second half. Both halves count, obviously, and the Wildcats couldn’t find answers, at least offensively, in the opening 30 minutes. Marcel Yates seemed to catch BYU off guard several times with exotic-looking fronts. Rich Rodriguez opened himself to second-guessing with his handling of the QB situation before and during the game.
