Key numbers then: Entering the Cal game, Tate had attempted 20 or fewer passes eight times. He had a 68.7 percent completion rate; a 13-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio; and averaged 12.56 yards per attempt in those games. The Wildcats’ record: 7-1. In the six games in which Tate threw more than 20 times, he had a 52.0 percent completion rate; an 11-8 TD-INT ratio; and averaged 6.75 yards per attempt. Arizona’s record: 0-6.
What’s happened since: Tate busted the trend against Cal, although there are asterisks attached.
The junior completed 15 of 25 passes for 141 yards with one touchdown and one interception. It was just the second time in his UA career that Tate completed 60 percent or better when throwing more than 20 passes. The other instance came against Purdue in the 2017 Foster Farms Bowl.
That’s all good. But it should be noted that 12 of Tate’s 15 completions came on throws at or near the line of scrimmage; they were essentially an extension of the run game. The others were a 15-yard slant to Cedric Peterson, a 13-yard screen to J.J. Taylor and a 31-yard pass to Tony Ellison.
Tate notched his first win when attempting more than 20 passes. The result, however, further exposed the fallacy of quarterback wins. Tate didn’t deserve a victory against Cal any more than he deserved losses against Arizona State and Purdue last season.
Progress made? Yes.
