Every week throughout the season, we’ll take a look back at the Arizona Wildcats’ previous game after re-watching it via the TV broadcast. Here are five key takeaways from the UA’s 35-14 victory over Oregon State on Saturday:
1. IDENTITY IDENTIFIED
The UA offensive line opened holes for the running game all afternoon in Corvallis.
These are Arizona’s game-by-game rushing totals: 129, 150, 268, 442. Notice a pattern there? It took a little while, but the Wildcats appear to have found their offensive identity. They were among the nation’s leaders in rushing last season, and they’re starting to trend in that direction again – albeit in a different way. Khalil Tate has not been a significant contributor to the run game, at least in terms of tangible numbers. His presence continues to open things up, however; he did a fine job against the Beavers of carrying out fakes on zone-read plays. Tate also made a living off of play-action, especially the backside slant – a staple of RPO-based offenses. Tate and backfield mate J.J. Taylor deferred all credit to the offensive line, which was deserving of their praise. The line’s work was beautiful to watch the second time through; the left side of Layth Friekh and Cody Creason, in particular, excelled at pulling and hitting their targets in space. Creason also worked some double-team blocks with center Josh McCauley. The line, which struggled without Friekh for the first two games, is gelling before our eyes.
2. TARGETING TATE
Is this dirty? I think it’s dirty. pic.twitter.com/BdZ0ZiiJTK
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) September 23, 2018
As mentioned, Tate contributed to the rushing attack in subtle ways. On the first play from scrimmage, he kept the ball and zipped around Andrzej Hughes-Murray for a 9-yard gain – something we rarely have seen from Tate this season. He also did a good job of holding the “mesh point” on RPOs, which causes defenders to freeze and opens lanes for runs and passes. Despite Tate’s pedestrian rushing totals – 32 yards in four games – he remains the focal point of opposing defenses. When asked about OSU defender Doug Taumoelau tugging at his sore left leg in the second quarter – a maneuver that looked like a cheap shot upon further review – Tate talked about the other team trying to take him out. Tate hasn’t missed a snap because of his sprained left ankle, but there are certain things that seem uncomfortable for him – in particular plays that require sharp, quick cuts. As Pac-12 Networks analyst Anthony Herron mentioned near the end of the broadcast, Tate won’t have an opportunity to rest that ankle because Arizona’s bye comes so late in the season (Nov. 10). What you’re seeing from Tate recently is like what you’ll see for a while.
3. WORKING TOGETHER
Defense has to be a group effort for the Arizona Wildcats.
One of linebacker Colin Schooler’s big talking points after the game was the importance of the defense working as a unit. It’s true with all defenses, but Arizona doesn’t have the five-star athletes like an Alabama or Clemson to get away with freelancing. The Wildcats have to work together. Four examples from the game: (1) On Oregon State’s third possession, PJ Johnson’s penetration forced tailback Kase Rogers to cut back; JB Brown made the tackle for a 1-yard gain. (2) Later in the same drive, the defensive line occupied every blocker and filled every gap, enabling Schooler to tackle Jermar Jefferson for a 2-yard loss. (3) On OSU’s fourth possession, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles kept outside leverage on Champ Flemings’ jet sweep, allowing Jarrius Wallace to tackle him for no gain. (4) During the Beavers’ epic but ultimately fruitless 17-play drive in the third quarter, Scottie Young Jr. kept outside leverage on a bubble screen to Trevon Bradford, again putting Schooler in position to make the tackle for a minimal gain. When a coach tells a player to “do your job,” it isn’t always about the tackler. All 11 defenders have a role on every play.
4. THIS TIME IT’S PERSONNEL
Arizona debuted its dime defense vs. Oregon State, with Troy Young serving as the sixth defensive back.
Each week we provide some notes on individual players, so here goes … Taylor really got into a groove with the offensive line, running with a little more patience, waiting for holes to open then using his cutback ability to exploit them. … The fumbled exchange between Tate and Gary Brightwell came after a high snap, which might have been McCauley’s first errant snap all season. … Tight end Jamie Nunley, who’s listed at 231 pounds, had one of the best blocking performances of his career, including serving as the lead blocker on the fake field goal. … Marcel Yates isn’t a player, but some of the stuff he did as defensive coordinator is worth noting. Yates debuted the dime package, featuring Troy Young as the sixth defensive back and both “Studs” on the field at the same time. Yates also dropped 300-plus-pound defensive tackles Johnson and Dereck Boles into short zones on occasion. … Redshirt-freshman “Stud” Jalen Harris showed excellent ability to bend around the edge on his sack. He also used his long arms to get a piece of the QB and force an errant throw. … Defensive tackle Abraham Maiava seldom gets out of position but needs to get stronger at the point of attack.
5. BUILDING TO A BREAKTHROUGH?
Although there were some issues, as Kevin Sumlin noted after the game, this was unquestionably the Wildcats’ best all-around performance. The question is whether Arizona can play the same way against a bigger, more athletic team like USC. The Trojans have struggled this season, even when they’ve won, and they have a true freshman at quarterback. But they also have a bigger, older defensive front and a group of receivers who can win one-on-one battles. The stuff that worked against Oregon State might not work against USC. Plus, Tate isn’t the running threat he was in last year’s meeting, when he rushed for 161 yards and nearly led a monster comeback. Arizona will have to play a sharper, cleaner game to upset the preseason favorites in the Pac-12 South. Sumlin knows it, and that’s why he emphasized the negative after the OSU game. If they can find another gear, the Wildcats might be catching the Trojans at the right time. Although USC is just 2-2, a win Saturday night at Arizona Stadium would serve as a breakthrough moment for Sumlin and the program.
