NAU AT ARIZONA
TIME: 7 p.m. TV: PAC-12 ARIZONA
RADIO: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM
Preview and predictions by Michael Lev
All about Arizona
All about NAU
Matchups to watch
HEAD TO HEAD
8 Stacy Chukwumezie vs. 2 Isaiah Rutherford
Chukwumezie led NAU in receiving in each of the first two games. Heβs averaging 7.5 catches and 103.5 yards per contest. Chukwumezie entered this season with a career mark of 18.5 yards per catch. He was a champion long- and triple-jumper in high school.
Rutherford has lived up to his billing as a true cover corner so far. He has been targeted a team-high eight times, per Pro Football Focus, yet has allowed only three receptions. Rutherfordβs length should help him match up against Chukwumezie, whoβs listed at 6-2.
15 Devontae Ingram vs. 1 Stanley Berryhill III
Ingramβs college career is off to a promising start. He recorded 18 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception in four spring games. He leads the team with three pass breakups. Is he savvy and strong enough to compete with a veteran UA receiving corps?
Berryhill is the leader of that group. Jedd Fisch said heβd like Berryhill to be targeted at least 10 times per game; he has averaged 11 so far. Working primarily out of the slot, Berryhill is averaging a robust 9.4 yards after the catch per reception.
Arizona wide receiver BJ Casteel (5) tries to stiff arm his way of the grip of San Diego State cornerback Tayler Hawkins (9) after a catch in the third quarter of the Wildcats home opener at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., September 11, 2021.
When NAU has the ball β¦
Oklahoma State transfer Keondre Wudtee entered the season as the Lumberjacksβ starting quarterback but missed most of the first two games because of injury. Third year-freshman Jeff Widener took his place and has struggled, throwing four interceptions. NAU is averaging just 3.1 yards per rush. Even after adjusting for sack yardage, that figure is below 4.0 (3.8). The Wildcats have focused on tackling fundamentals this week after missing 16 tackles against San Diego State.
When Arizona has the ball β¦
Will Plummer takes over at QB for the Wildcats, who have only three touchdowns in two games. Fisch is hopeful that Plummer can get the offense into a better rhythm after a flurry of three-and-outs last week. But this could be a game in which the running game dictates the action. NAU is allowing 221.5 yards per game and 5.8 yards per attempt on the ground. Donβt be surprised if multiple UA backs approach or eclipse 100 yards.
Prediction: Arizona 41, NAU 14
The Wildcats obviously werenβt ready to end their school-record losing streak last week. It finally stops here. Since the two schools started playing regularly again in 2002, Arizona has won all 10 matchups by an average of 30 points. The UA program desperately needs a victory, no matter the opponent. Would a lopsided victory portend a competitive effort at No. 4 Oregon next week? Probably not. But this rebuild has to start somewhere.
