Notes, quotes and stats from the Arizona Wildcats’ 62-24 victory over Northern Arizona

The Arizona Wildcats defeated NAU 62-24 Saturday night in the season opener at Arizona Stadium. Here are some pertinent notes, quotes and statistics:

NOTES

* UA coach Rich Rodriguez said backup quarterback Khalil Tate “got a little banged up” in the second half. Rodriguez said Tate’s injury did not appear to be serious.

* Arizona played 13 true freshmen, up from four last year. The 13 were: LB/DE Kylan Wilborn, LB Tony Fields II, FS Scottie Young Jr., WR Brian Casteel, RB Nathan Tilford, QB Rhett Rodriguez, LB Colin Schooler, S Troy Young, K Lucas Havrisik, DL Kurtis Brown, DE Jalen Harris, TE Bryce Wolma and WR Gary Brightwell.

* Arizona rushed for 506 yards. Its 1,017 rushing yards in the past two games are the most in any two-game stretch in school history.

* When Arizona rushed for 511 yards against Arizona State last season, three players (Brandon Dawkins, Samajie Grant and Zach Green) each rushed for more than 100 yards and combined to score all seven of the Wildcats’ touchdowns. Against NAU, Arizona rushed for 506 yards and seven touchdowns. This time, the Wildcats spread the wealth a bit more — no single rusher had more than 100 yards. Dawkins led the way with 92 and two scores. Nick Wilson, Rodriguez, Branden Leon, Tyrell Johnson and Green each scored one touchdown.

* Wilson has 28 career rushing touchdowns, tied for third most in UA history.

* WR Tony Ellison had a career-high five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. He had three catches and 32 yards in his first two seasons combined.

* Senior WR Cam Denson played in all 12 games and started three times last season. The Salpointe Catholic product wasn’t injured but didn’t see the field Saturday night.

* Safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles had three career interceptions before Saturday. He then intercepted two passes off NAU quarterback Case Cookus.

* In the second halves of the past two games, Arizona has attempted two passes, completing one.

QUOTES

UA coach Rich Rodriguez on Arizona’s overall performance: “I thought our guys played hard. I think they were emotionally into the game. I certainly thought we got outplayed and outcoached in the first half, and we struggled defensively the whole game. But it’s good to have a win, and teach off a win as opposed to a loss. We have a lot of teaching and learning to do in the next 2-3 days. I think our guys are conscientious enough to do that. We’ve got a really good football team coming in, so we’ve got to get better in a hurry.”

Rodriguez on the QB situation: “Dawkins was the starter. Khalil was the backup. We were going to play Dawkins until we felt secure, unless he was playing poorly. And he really wasn’t. He missed a few things; he was a little excited too. But he gives you a dimension in the run game – they all do. Khalil got a little banged up because he likes to try to run over people, and that’s not a good idea when you’re a quarterback. Nonetheless, Brandon, he was one of those guys who kind of took charge in the second half with some of the quarterback runs. … We’ll keep the same rotation for now and go from there.”

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Dawkins on the disparity between Arizona’s running and passing production: “I’m not really worried about it. It just depends how the team plays us. We’re a team that’s built on having a triple-option attack: We can throw the ball, we can run the ball with our running backs or I can run the ball. So whatever a team does, we just gotta make sure we don’t let them be right, and that’s when our offense is most effective. If they’re going to sit back and take away the pass game, I don’t care if I hand it off to J.J. (Taylor) and Nick (Wilson) for 600 yards. If they’re putting up big numbers and putting points on the board, that’s good in my book.”

WR Shun Brown on the impact of his punt-return TD: “We want to have at least two big plays on special teams and get the momentum going. Our coaches preach to us that if you win in special teams, more than likely you’re gonna win the game. So coming out wanting to win every rep on special teams is great.”

Flannigan-Fowles on the pass defense’s struggles: “We’ve got some cleaning up to do. Games aren’t perfect. It was the first game, so we have to be able to shake it off and come in next week and respond.”

Ellison on his breakout performance: “I think that’s just a reflection of all of our hard work in the summer, practicing with that chip on our shoulder. It feels really good to execute the game plan.”

STATS

* NAU had 29 first downs; Arizona had 23.

* NAU ran 92 plays; Arizona ran 61.

* The Lumberjacks converted 10 of 19 third downs; the Wildcats converted 4 of 10.

* NAU had 377 passing yards; Arizona had 89.

* Each team had nine penalties, totaling 159 yards.

* Arizona’s average starting field position was its 30-yard line; NAU’s was its 23.

* Nine of freshman Lucas Havrisik’s 10 kickoffs went for touchbacks.

* Tilford carried four times for 79 yards, including a 65-yard run.

* Flannigan-Fowles had a team-high eight tackles, including six solos.