The No. 22 Arizona Wildcats lost to No. 17 USC 49-35 Saturday night in Los Angeles. Here are some pertinent notes, quotes and statistics:
NOTES
* The loss snapped Arizonaโs four-game winning streak. The margin of defeat (14 points) was greater than the Wildcatsโ previous two losses combined (nine).
*ย Arizona fell into a second-place tie in the Pac-12 South with Arizona State. Both are 4-2. USC (6-1) needs only one win against Colorado or UCLA to clinch the division.
*ย Arizona has rushed for 200 or more yards in seven straight games and eight of nine this season.
*ย Arizona allowed 642 total yards, the second game in a row the Wildcats have surrendered more than 600. USC became the first UA opponent this season to top 300 yards rushing and passing. The Trojansโ 49 points were a season high for a Wildcats foe.
*ย Arizona surrendered five sacks, matching its season total entering Saturday. The Wildcats had not allowed a sack in their previous four games.
*ย Sophomore quarterback Khalil Tate rushed for 161 yards, giving him 1,087 yards on the season โ the most by a UA quarterback and the most by any QB in Pac-12 history. B.J. Denker held the Arizona record (949), while Washingtonโs Jake Locker (986) had the league mark.
*ย Tate has rushed for 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown in five consecutive games. He also has a rush of 50-plus yards in five straight. His 100-yard streak is Arizonaโs longest since KaโDeem Carey in 2013.
*ย Receiver Shun Brown established a new career high with eight receptions. His 32 catches for the year are a career high and three more than he had last season.
*ย Redshirt-freshman cornerback Lorenzo Burns has broken up a pass in five straight games.
*ย Freshman kicker Lucas Havrisik made field goals of 45 and 43 yards. His two field goals made established a new career high.
*ย Freshman linebacker Tony Fields II tied his career high with 11 tackles. He has double-digit tackles in three straight games. He leads all Pac-12 freshmen with 69 tackles.
*ย Senior safety Dane Cruikshank tied his career high with 10 tackles. He also recorded his second interception.
*ย Redshirt-sophomore defensive end Justin Belknap set a career high with six tackles.
*ย Senior defensive tackle Luca Bruno had his first sack of the season. It was the second of his career.
*ย Freshman safety Scottie Young Jr. returned from a knee injury and recorded five tackles in a reserve role.
QUOTES
UA coach Rich Rodriguez on the positives he can pull from the game: โYou could find some in the second half. We got a little momentum going. A few guys made some tremendous effort plays in the second half. Itโll hurt for 24 hours. Weโve gotta correct our mistakes. The coaches have to have a better plan.โ
Fields on what the team can take from this loss: โItโs a real big learning experience. Never give up, never quit. We tied the game up. We had our chance. We had momentum. And then small mistakes. They capitalized on those small mistakes.โ
Tate on his emotions after the game: โWhenever I lose, Iโm emotional. Itโs not any certain game. I donโt like losing. I donโt think anybody does. If you do, then thatโs on you.โ
Cruikshank on the difference between this yearโs lost to USC and last yearโs: โWe got a lot of new players. Itโs just a different vibe around here. Khalil Tate, he changed our program. Heโs a great player, and weโre thankful for him. Weโre going to keep fighting. Our heads are not down.โ
USC coach Clay Helton on Tate: โHeโs a very special player. I told him afterward he honored his family and his city. Weโve watched him grow up. Heโs going to be a true talent in this league. He played beyond honorably tonight. A special kid.โ
STATS
* USC had 30 first downs; Arizona had 25.
*ย USC had 331 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per attempts; Arizona had 234 yards and averaged 5.4.
*ย USC averaged 8.2 yards per play; Arizona averaged 5.1.
*ย USC averaged 42.8 gross yards and 33.0 net yards per punt; Arizona averaged 29.2 and 21.8.
*ย USC converted 5 of 12 third downs; Arizona converted 5 of 15.
*ย USCโs average starting field position was its 31; Arizonaโs was its 28.
*ย USC possessed the ball for 33:55, including 10:02 in the fourth quarter; Arizona had it for 26:05.
*ย Arizona RB J.J. Taylor had 67 yards on 13 touches, including a 16-yard TD reception.
*ย USCโs Ronald Jones II (194 yards) and AcaโCedric Ware (122) each rushed for more than 100 yards.
*ย USC QB Sam Darnold completed 20 of 26 passes for 311 yard with two touchdowns and one interception.
*ย LB Colin Schooler had 10 tackles, including one of Arizonaโs four stops for losses.
