The grades are in for Arizona’s 49-24 loss to Colorado on Saturday at Arizona Stadium:
QUARTERBACKS
Grade: C-minus
Comment: Starter Brandon Dawkins did some good things, especially on the ground (81 rushing yards). But he completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes (9 of 19) for the third straight week and led only one touchdown drive before exiting late in the third quarter. Anu Solomon briefly gave the offense a lift, leading two TD drives, but his final two possessions ended in three-and-outs. Freshman Khalil Tate played the final series, rushing twice for 3 yards and suffering a 9-yard sack.
RUNNING BACKS
Grade: B-plus
Comment: Samajie Grant has gotten better each week since moving to tailback. His 113 yards (on 16 carries) were a career best. He also scored the first two rushing touchdowns of his career. Backup Zach Green ran decently as a between-the-tackles complement, gaining 34 yards on 10 carries. He also scored his first career TD. Green got stuffed on a third-and-2 run from the Colorado 5 in the second quarter, forcing a field-goal attempt.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Grade: B-minus
Comment: Nine of Arizona’s 12 completed passes went to wide receivers, and one went to tight end Trevor Wood. Nate Phillips had his highest catch total since Week 1 (four receptions, 55 yards). Shun Brown rediscovered his big-play form with a 50-yard catch. Cam Denson had good production for the second week in a row (3-33). Trey Griffey got shut out for the first time this season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Grade: C-plus
Comment: The Wildcats rushed for 257 yards – 89 more than the Buffaloes had allowed in their previous three games combined. That’s the positive. The negative: Arizona surrendered four sacks, all coming on third downs. The play that saw Green get stuffed wasn’t well-blocked. Redshirt freshman Cody Creason made his second career start at right tackle in place of Gerhard de Beer (knee).
DEFENSIVE FRONT
Grade: C
Comment: The Wildcats sacked QB Sefo Liufau twice and hit him repeatedly, but Liufau still was able to make enough plays to win. Linebacker Michael Barton and nose tackle Parker Zellers – both playing with knee braces for injuries suffered this season – had the sacks. Zellers and linebacker Paul Magloire Jr. were guilty of personal fouls that accounted for two of Arizona’s 13 penalties. Linebacker Brandon Rutt had his first career interception. Colorado rushed for 175 yards.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Grade: D
Comment: Too many breakdowns and too many penalties. Liufau threw three touchdown passes, all to wide receivers. Safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles struggled in coverage, getting flagged three times. Cornerback Dane Cruikshank drew a flag for defensive holding but did deflect the ball that Rutt intercepted. Safety Kwesi Mashack played extensively in the second half and tied his season high with four tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Grade: D-minus
Comment: A season-long bugaboo hurt Arizona in new and different ways. Placekicker Josh Pollack missed 3 of 4 field-goal attempts. Entering Saturday, he had made 7 of 9. Pollack was pressed into kickoff duty with Edgar Gastelum (concussion) out and didn’t get the depth the coaches were seeking on his early attempts. Pollack did average 45.0 yards on three punts. Jake Glatting took over the punting duties late in the game and averaged 42.7 yards on three tries.
COACHES
Grade: D-minus
Comment: Rich Rodriguez again went with Dawkins at quarterback. He played OK, but Arizona did not get the desired results. By the time Rodriguez inserted Solomon (57 seconds left in the third quarter) the game was all but out of reach (42-10). Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates returned to attack mode after a passive game plan against Washington State, but Colorado still scored 49 points. The penalties reflect a lack of discipline, and the coaches bear at least some of the blame for that.
