Final score: Arizona 37, Utah 30 (2OT)
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks: A. Anu Solomon played arguably his best game as a Wildcat, completing 17 of 27 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown and rushing 10 times for a team-high 86 yards and a score. Solomon (concussion) was forced from the game with 9 minutes 25 seconds remaining and replaced with Jerrard Randall, who went 0 for 5 with an interception โฆ and then threw the game-winning touchdown pass to start the second overtime.
Running backs. B-. Nick Wilson made his first start in a month and rushed six times for 27 yards before leaving in the third quarter. Jared Baker rushed 13 times for 67 yards; freshman Orlando Bradford did not play, a week after wrecking his hand in pregame warmups.
Wide receivers: B+. Nate Phillips made the UAโs catch of the year โ decade? โ when he snared Randallโs pass one-handed in the second overtime. He finished with three catches for 46 yards and a score. Cayleb Jones (5 catches, 126 yards and a touchdown) was electric after the catch in his final home game, and Samajie Grant (3 catches, 65 yards) caught his first touchdown pass since Week 3.
Offensive line: A-. The Wildcats shuffled their starters again, reinstating Jacob Alsadek at right guard and giving Gerhard de Beer a second consecutive start at left guard. The unit responded with a stellar showing: Utah didnโt sack the Cats once, and Arizona averaged more yards per rush (4.6) than the Utes (4.1).
DEFENSE
Front six: B. Arizona allowed 223 rushing yards, but did a good job of bottling up star Devontae Booker. The Utesโ star running back was limited to 145 yards on 32 carries, a 4.3 yards-per-tote average. Nose tackle Parker Zellers recovered a fumble. Defensive end Reggie Gilbert finished with a sack, and nose tackle Sani Fuimaono, defensive end Jeff Worthy and linebacker Sir Thomas Jackson each contributed with a half-sack. The Wildcatsโ defense overwhelmed Utah in both overtime periods, securing the upset win.
Back five: B.ย Safety Jamar Allah registered his second interception of the season, and Tellas Jones finished with half a sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Special teams: A. Drew Riggleman went punt-for-punt with Ray Guy Award winner Tom Hackett, though the Utesโ star averaged more yards per punt (49) than Riggleman (47). Casey Skowron was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, and nailed a 35-yarder that moved the game into a second OT period.
