SALT LAKE CITY — After a rousing victory over Cal last week, the Arizona Wildcats’ weaknesses were exposed in front of a national-TV audience — most of whom probably changed the channel by halftime.
Utah demolished Arizona 42-10 in front of an announced crowd of 45,862 Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Arizona fell to 3-4, 2-2 in the Pac-12. Utah won its second straight and improved to 4-2, 2-2.
Arizona plays its next-to-last road game of the season a week from Saturday against UCLA.
It was a difficult night for QB Jamarye Joiner and the Wildcats on Friday in Salt Lake City.
The UA defense — which won the Cal game with a pair of second-half touchdowns — suddenly couldn’t make a tackle or get a stop. The offense provided little if any help until it was too late, shuffling through multiple quarterbacks in search of an elusive spark.
Khalil Tate started the game, played the first two series and exited after reinjuring the left ankle that has bothered him since Week 2. Tate, who won an unprecedented four straight Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week awards last October, generated 6 yards — 3 passing and 3 rushing.
Freshman Jamarye Joiner replaced Tate. Joiner also played two series, completing 3 of 4 passes for 17 yards and rushing five times for 5 yards. His lone incomplete pass was an errant deep shot for Cedric Peterson down the left sideline on fourth-and-2 from the Utah 42-yard line in the second quarter.
Arizona then turned to sophomore Rhett Rodriguez, who moved the offense and threw his first career TD pass. But two Rodriguez-led drives in the second half ended with failed conversions on fourth-and-1.
Rodriguez, the son of former UA coach Rich Rodriguez, completed 20 of 38 passes for 226 yards and a score. Running back J.J. Taylor rushed for a team-high 61 yards on 13 carries. No other UA rusher finished with more than 5 ruhsing yards.
For a full game recap complete with quotes and postgame coverage from Salt Lake City, click here.
Utah defensive end Nick Heninger (96) hurries the pass from Arizona quarterback Rhett Rodriguez (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
THIRD-QUARTER UPDATE:
SALT LAKE CITY — It hasn’t gotten much better for the Arizona Wildcats.
Arizona trails Utah 35-3 entering the fourth quarter of their game Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Down 28-0 at halftime, the Wildcats finally scored on a 37-yard Josh Pollack field goal. By that point, the Utes were up 35-0. They scored their fifth touchdown on a 58-yard pass from receiver Britain Covey, who took the ball on an end-around pitch, to quarterback Tyler Huntley.
Huntley also has thrown for two touchdowns and run for one. He is 14 of 19 for 201 yards with one interception. Arizona’s Colin Schooler picked off Huntley in the third quarter. It was Schooler’s second interception in as many games.
Sophomore Rhett Rodriguez took over at quarterback for the Wildcats late in the second quarter and played all of the third. Rodriguez is 13 of 25 for 118 yards.
Khalil Tate played the first two series of the game before re-injuring his ankle. He was ruled out at halftime.
Arizona senior quarterback Khalil Tate was named to the watch list for the 2019 Maxwell Award.
HALFTIME UPDATE:
SALT LAKE CITY — The Arizona Wildcats are struggling in every facet.
Arizona trails Utah 28-0 halfway through their game Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Wildcats have used three quarterbacks; none has been able to generate a scoring drive.
Khalil Tate started and came out after the second series. He was limping badly after being sacked by Chase Hansen.
Freshman Jamarye Joiner played the next two series and helped Arizona gain a few first downs. Joiner then yielded to Rhett Rodriguez, who helped the Wildcats advance into field-goal range.
After a 29-yard completion to Stanley Berryhill III, Arizona attempted a 34-yard field goal on first down with 10 seconds left in the half. Josh Pollack missed it wide left. The snap was slightly high.
Tyler Huntley has accounted for three touchdowns for Utah — two passing and one rushing. He is 11 of 14 for 189 yards.
Arizona’s quarterbacks are a combined 10 of 19 for 85 yards.
Utah has outgained Arizona 295-114. The Utes are averaging 7.6 yards per play. The Wildcats are averaging 3.3.
FIRST-QUARTER UPDATE:
SALT LAKE CITY — Things have not started well for the Arizona Wildcats.
Arizona trails Utah 14-0 entering the second quarter of their game Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Wildcats have been unable to stop the Utes or get anything going on offense.
Utah put together a pair of scoring drives, covering 75 and 69 yards. Arizona has just one first down.
On the Wildcats’ second possession, Chase Hansen sacked Khalil Tate. Tate came up limping, appearing to favor the left ankle that has bothered him for much of the season.
Don’t be surprised if Jamarye Joiner enters at quarterback for Tate when the Wildcats get the ball next in the second quarter.
The Utes have 155 yards. The Wildcats have just 11.
