Watch: 11 best things Arizona Wildcats said after cruising by Southern Utah

Nonconference wrapped up

Arizona was tested by Southern Utah in the first half, but the Wildcats opened the scoring floodgates in the third quarter and pulled away from the Thunderbirds 62-31 Saturday to give Kevin Sumlin his first win at UA. 

Khalil Tate had a career-high 349 passing yards and tied his single-game career-high touchdown mark with five, four of them were to different wide receivers.

Heading into Saturday, the defense didn't record a sack or a turnover and it checked both of those off against Southern Utah after Anthony Pandy and Kylan Wilborn recorded a sack along with Jarrius Wallace's interception in the fourth quarter. 

The Wildcats end the nonconference slate 1-2 and officially begin Pac-12 play next week against Oregon State. Tate, Pandy, Wallace, Layth Friekh and Sumlin spoke after Arizona's win, here's what they had to say. 

Sumlin's evaluation of Khalil Tate

Kevin Sumlin on Khalil Tate’s career performance tonight against Southern Utah: pic.twitter.com/fpR9UTJ1Pf

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Defensive adjustments

Kevin Sumlin was impressed with Arizona’s defense, but says it needs to work on 3rd down stops. “Tonight is a glass-half-full kind of night. It may not be on Monday, but tonight it is.” pic.twitter.com/YTfLjri9Rr

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

'Best quarterback in the country'

Layth Friekh on Khalil Tate’s performance: pic.twitter.com/hM03lCvdzV

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Layth Friekh returning to the lineup

Arizona OT Layth Friekh on returning to the offensive line after missing the first two games of the season: “It felt good to be back with my guys.” pic.twitter.com/JvQOhnUjSU

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Confidence for defense

Linebacker Anthony Pandy on tonight’s win adding confidence to the defense: pic.twitter.com/hfU50ruHpm

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Turnovers

Safety Jarrius Wallace on the defense emphasizing turnovers: pic.twitter.com/vcOz1iowsS

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Execution and chemistry

Khalil Tate on Arizona’s offense executing plays, and his chemistry with Tony Ellison: pic.twitter.com/To0N5Z2RDW

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Tate looking back on first two games

Khalil Tate on what the first two games of the season was like for him: pic.twitter.com/1xhY0wHjPZ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Friekh's presence

Khalil Tate on what Layth Friekh brings to the offensive line: pic.twitter.com/LVNiyhsCsa

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Return of Jace Whittaker, Scottie Young Jr.

Kevin Sumlin on the return of Jace Whittaker and Scottie Young Jr.: pic.twitter.com/nUrVH9S6fY

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Khalil Tate's accuracy, BYU beating Wisconsin

Kevin Sumlin on Khalil Tate’s accuracy tonight, and BYU beating Wisconsin: pic.twitter.com/7yIr58sH9t

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 16, 2018

Watch: Postgame breakdown of Arizona’s win over Southern Utah