Arizona football: On monster performances, fight night, and a friendly face back on the Wildcats' sideline

Back in business

The last time Khalil Tate started a game at Arizona Stadium, a full year ago against USC, it didn’t go too well.

Then just a freshman, Tate completed 7 of 18 passes for 58 yards and an interception. Things got so bad that Tate was eventually replaced by Matt Morin, a tight end.

Things were different this time around. That’s what a 327-yard rushing performance against Colorado, an FBS record for a quarterback, will do.

On the fourth play of Saturday’s game against UCLA, Tate evaded a defender and trotted into the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown run.

That prompted an exuberant reaction from the crowd and an uproar on social media.

Here’s a collection of some tweets from UA fans about Tate’s fast start.

When I grow up I want to be Khalil Tate

— Brian Pace (@bpace24) October 15, 2017

I am 4 more rushes from devoting my entire existence to Khalil Tate

— Tyler Hansen (@Thans3) October 15, 2017

Khalil Tate, so hot right now.

— Sean (@the_SeanO) October 15, 2017

Khalil Tate for HeismanI expect him to keep doing bad things to this UCLA defense

— Michael B. (@ArizonaDuck) October 15, 2017

Khalil Tate gonna run for 164839 yards tonight

— Alec White (@AlecWhite_UA) October 15, 2017

Khalil Tate has two speeds, here he comes, and there he goes.

— Ben Rosenfield (@ben_rosenfield) October 15, 2017

Khalil Tate rips off a big gain for a first down and I'm like this dude can ball. Then he makes throws like that and I just faint.

— Ryan Dempsey (@The_RealDemps) October 15, 2017

The big number

453

Rushing yards — on 23 carries — Tate amassed in a six-quarter stretch between the start of the Colorado game and halftime Saturday. Tate scored five rushing touchdowns in that stretch, too.

Halftime history

Here are the last six halftime scores between Arizona and UCLA:

2017: Arizona 30, UCLA 14

2016: UCLA 14, Arizona 7

2015: UCLA 42, Arizona 14

2014: Arizona 7, UCLA 3

2013: UCLA 21, Arizona 10

2012: UCLA 42, Arizona 3

Remembering fight night

Arizona has struggled against UCLA since Rich Rodriguez was hired in 2012, losing all five games.

The Wildcats struggled early in those matchups, too trailing at halftime all but once. That is, until Saturday — Arizona went into the half leading the Bruins 30-14.

It was Arizona’s best first-half performance against the Bruins since 2011, a game that — coincidentally — may best be remembered by what happened just before the break.

The Wildcats, coached Tim Kish after Mike Stoops was fired, were leading 42-7 as the final seconds of the half wound down. That’s when things got weird: A student named Jacen Lackow ran onto the field dressed with an official, then ripped his clothes off and ran around in his underwear. At the same time, the Wildcats and Bruins started brawling. The resulting chaos took several long minutes to straighten out.

“I was standing there on the sideline for probably 25 minutes before the perfect opportunity arose,” Lankow told the Star a couple years ago. “I was actually able to watch a replay of the game in its entirety while I spent the night in jail.”

Moore’s better

A few weeks ago, Arizona receiver Donovan Moore was a passenger in a car wreck that took the life of Pima College football player Jordan Waddell.

Moore, a Tucson High and Pima product, spent days in the hospital. He has since returned to the team, but isn’t expected to play anytime soon.

Moore’s teammates were happy to see him on the home sideline Saturday. Quarterback Donavan Tate excitedly sought Moore out and gave him a hug before the game.

From 72 to 1, real quick

UA running back J.J. Taylor ran for what looked like a 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter. And, at first glance, it looked like the heads-up play of the year.

The Cats’ back appeared to roll on the body of a UCLA defender as he was tackled, never touching the ground. After video review, however, officials determined Taylor’s shin touched the ground.

As a result, Taylor’s run went from a 72 yard touchdown to a … one-yard gain.