Arizona's defensive flexibility, multiple schemes 'gives us an advantage sometimes'

When Arizona debuted its “flex” defense in its 38-point win over Washington State in Pullman nearly two weeks ago, it was another sign of the Wildcats flexing their versatility in the renovated defense.

Arizona’s base defense under defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen is a 4-2-5 scheme, but the Wildcats have also utilized the “dollar” package for pass-oriented offenses like Washington and USC.

Washington State entered its matchup with Arizona as a top-five passing offense nationally, but used quick passes, bubble screens and runs on its opening touchdown drive. The UA blanked the Cougars the rest of the game courtesy of its different defensive formations, including the new flex defense, which had linebacker Jeremy Mercier, who logged 16 snaps, as a “spy” on WSU quarterback Cameron Ward and to monitor short passes at the line of scrimmage.

“He came in and that was his role that week and he did a nice job,” Nansen said of Mercier. “It was awesome to see him play, too.”

The flex defense will be used “depending on the offense we’re facing,” Nansen said.

Nansen said Arizona “saw a lot of 10 personnel” against Washington, which uses four wide receivers and one running back — a spread or air-raid offense.

“Obviously they were running where they were pulling the guard and the tackle and we wanted to add a number to it. Plus, their screen games was one of the big parts, so we put an end that week and it worked out for us,” Nansen said.

Arizona safety Dalton Johnson, who leads the Wildcats in rushing tackles (23) according to Pro Football Focus, said the different defensive schemes the Wildcats have “gives us an advantage sometimes.”

“You never know what we’re going to do. It’s always good to have different things, different options,” Johnson said. “I enjoy it, having all of these different opportunities. Everyone gets a chance to do different things and showcase different skills.”

Against No. 11 Oregon State on Saturday, the Wildcats will be tasked with stopping “a really good offense, pro-style offense” that has 250 rush attempts and 198 pass attempts this season. OSU has two offensive linemen, right tackle Taliese Fuaga and right guard Tanner Miller, that were recently named to the PFF Midseason All-American teams. Beavers left tackle Joshua Gray was named a Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week earlier this season. The Beavers also have All-Pac-12 running back Damien Martinez, who is averaging 96.6 rushing yards per game this season.

“Obviously for us, it’s a different offense to prepare for,” Nansen said. “It was nice to have a bye week to really focus on what we need to do as far as a defense what we’re going to face, because it’s totally different than what we’re accustomed to in the last three weeks.”

Scout-team superstars

At this time last year, Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu and offensive lineman Wendell Moe went from scout-team superheroes to full-time starters.

Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch said no one this season “has really made that jump just yet, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that a lot of our scout-team players are our backups this year anyhow” and the Wildcats don’t have “nearly as much of the true freshmen playing the scout team.”

Fisch noted linebackers Leviticus Su’a, Kamuela Ka’aihue, and Taye Brown, along with defensive lineman Dominic Lolesio, wide receiver Malachi Riley and tight end Dorian Thomas as standout freshmen in practice.

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“Those five or six guys have stood out in regards to how they’re playing as a freshmen group, and we’ll just continue to see who can develop those roles,” Fisch said.

Fisch added Thomas, a Kent, Washington native, “is beginning to make plays on the practice field.”

“He’s going to be a special tight end one day,” Fisch said. “I think there’s a lot of value there.

Su’a, a former Mater Dei High School star in Southern California and Trinity League MVP, “showed up with a chip on his shoulder.” The former four-star recruit has not played a defensive snap this season.

“It was good to see him flying around out there,” Arizona offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll said of Su’a. “Dom Lolesio has been fantastic all the way through. There’s been a bunch of guys on the D-line that have been great.”

Added Fisch: “We’re beginning to see the fruits of their labor of some of the younger (defensive) linemen.”

Nansen said, “I think everybody on our side of the ball has improved.” Against Nansen’s defense, running back Nazar Bombata “has been an unbelievable dude down there running the football for the last two years and really give us that look we need every week.”

Johnson was once upon a time a scout teamer in his first two seasons at the UA before molding into a starter this year.

“I think it’s just knowing your role and accepting it. ... You might as well take advantage of that and try to get better yourself, because when are you going to get an opportunity to grow against a good offense? That’s how I look at it,” Johnson said.

Responsibilities as a scout team player include mimicking what the opponent is known to do in that scheme. A scout team player at Arizona dons a green jersey with the number of the opposing player they’re representing. For example, Bombata will wear a green No. 6 jersey in practice to mock Martinez.

“There are certain things you have to do on the scout team,” Johnson said. “At the same time you’re allowed to let loose and make a play and stand out.”

Extra points

Nansen, on Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis’ first-career interception in the Wildcats’ win over Washington State: “Our coaches do a great job preparing our guys and when that play came, the flood, he was right there, stepped in and picked it off. It was good to see. Finally, we got one.”

Carroll on the challenges Arizona tackles Jordan Morgan and Jonah Savaiinaea faced against WSU edge rushers Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson: “When you play against great players, you’re not going to win every rep. ... They absolutely showed they’re going to be playing at the next level. It’s a great battle for us that’s keeping us ready for the Pac-12.”

Arizona running back Jonah Coleman is the highest-graded (90.7) running back by PFF entering this week. Arizona running back DJ Williams said Coleman has “always been that guy. He’s always going to give it his all. He knows everything. That’s just who he is.”

Nansen, on Arizona’s defense shutting out WSU after the first drive: “It’s kind of motivating to us when you’re sitting in the press box before the game and they’re telling us UCLA is elite and our defense is OK. I think that kind of motivated our kids and our staff to coach better that day. We used that (as motivation) against them and we got after them pretty good.”