The grades are in for Arizona’s 48-14 loss to USC on Saturday afternoon at Arizona Stadium:
QUARTERBACKS
Grade: D-plus
Comment: It wasn’t a good day for first-time freshman starter Khalil Tate. He completed only 7 of 18 passes for 58 yards, turned the ball over twice – deep in Arizona territory – and missed some open receivers. In his defense, it was never in the plans for him to start (or even play) this season. Converted TE Matt Morin entered in relief in the third quarter and actually made some plays, albeit with the game already decided. He also was involved in two turnovers.
RUNNING BACKS
Grade: C-plus
Comment: Nick Wilson started – and again couldn’t finish. It’s not his fault that he keeps getting hurt, but it also isn’t helping the cause. Zach Green got the bulk of the work but gained only 46 yards on 14 carries (3.3-yard average). Tyrell Johnson carried the ball only once, gaining 14 yards – the longest RB run aside from Wilson’s 39-yarder. Walk-on Branden Leon carried for the first time in his career, gaining 18 yards on four rushes.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Grade: C
Comment: It’s hard to assess this position without the benefit of all-22 film review because the quarterback play was so erratic. There were times receivers were open and the QBs missed them. Nate Phillips and Samajie Grant each caught three passes, with Grant scoring a touchdown. Trey Griffey had only one catch for minus-1 yard but drew two penalties. Cam Denson had a 51-yard grab in garbage time.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Grade: C
Comment: Similar to the Utah game, the line didn’t give up many sacks (two) but allowed enough pressure and penetration to throw off several plays. USC had five total tackles for losses. The Wildcats ended up with 201 rushing yards, largely on the legs of Tate (14 carries, 72 yards).
DEFENSIVE FRONT
Grade: D-minus
Comment: Arizona couldn’t sack Sam Darnold and couldn’t stop USC’s running attack. Every time the Wildcats seemed to have Darnold in their grasp he escaped – and gained positive yardage (54 yards on six carries). The Trojans rushed for 320 yards without injured leading rusher Justin Davis, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. In the third quarter, LB Michael Barton incurred a personal-foul penalty at the end of a play that would have resulted in a USC punt.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Grade: D-plus
Comment: The secondary had no answers for JuJu Smith-Schuster, who caught nine passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns. CB Dane Cruikshank often had good position but failed to get his head around when the ball arrived. Safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and CB Jace Whittaker – two of Arizona’s best defenders of late – also allowed touchdowns. Whittaker did have two pass breakups.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Grade: B
Comment: The Wildcats did achieve one of their objectives – containing USC return ace Adoree’ Jackson. Jackson had just 3 yards on two punt returns and never got a chance on kickoffs. Josh Pollack handled those, as well as punts, and had one of his better games. Pollack dropped two of his five punts inside the 20-yard line. One went for a touchback but netted 47 yards. Barton appeared to earn two points off a USC special-teams error, but a penalty negated his return.
COACHES
Grade: D-plus
Comment: No one is pleased with the current state of Arizona football, least of all UA coach Rich Rodriguez. But a plethora of injuries at quarterback and running back have severely restricted what Rodriguez and his staff can do. That shouldn’t directly impact the defense, but two Tate turnovers led to USC TD drives of 10 and 15 yards in the second quarter. RichRod earned respect afterward for falling on the sword.
