Arizona Football falls to BYU, beats Vegas odds, Defense improved

The day Wildcats fans have waited for, the start of the Arizona Football season, was one to remember, but not necessarily because they lost the game.

The Vegas line on the game until Wednesday was Arizona -1.5, but at the last-minute the odds flipped, and the Cougars were favored by -2.5. Maybe it was due to the media who started predicting an upset? Either way, we’re sure the team wasn’t paying any attention or used it as motivation.

Arizona lost by two measly points:

The pre-game ceremony was not aired, much to the dismay of this Wildcats fan. But we got our ZZ contributors to stream it live. The team also had two stickers on the back of their helmet to keep Zach’s memory alive during the game, he was with them in spirit.

In the last few months, Rich Rodriguez was asked many questions about his football team, mostly about who would play quarterback. He vowed to keep it close to his chest, and that’s what he did.  Most folks predicted the answer and were not surprised when it was announced an hour before kickoff that Anu Solomon got the nod.

Coach Rod would NOT change quarterbacks during the game. He will be going back to watch game tape. He felt the defense played hard, but was disappointed at the end of the game. He took part of the blame along with the coaching staff if that tells you anything.

When asked by Brian Jeffries what Rodriguez will tell his team his response was positive, “They don’t need to hang their heads — we just need to get better, if I know you like I think I know you, we’ll get this fixed.”

Parker Zellers post game comments via IMG: “We just got together on defense and said ‘this is it’ — ‘who wants it more?’ You gotta learn from your mistakes in football and in life — as long as you can admit you need to get better.”

Anu came into the game with 48 touchdowns on his college career stat sheet. Nick Wilson also started in this game. Neither was able to get a first down on the first series for the Cats. Back from injury, Cody Ippolito recorded his first tackle.

BYU was ultra aggressive on defense, but would they sustain this for four quarters? There were only 111 total offensive yards gained altogether in the first quarter, the score 0-0.

BYU 3 Arizona 0

BYU finally got on the board with a field goal, after Jarvis McCall Jr. blocked a pass in the end zone. Later in the quarter Tellas Jones suffered and injury in what seemed to be his knee, Wildcats fans everywhere held their breath. He never returned. Losing him would be devastating.

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BYU 9 Arizona 0

With 3:40 left in the first half, on fourth and one, BYU decided to go for it and pushed through their O-line making a first down on a running play. They landed on the three-yard line. BYU got four chances to score and eventually did, BYU 9 Arizona 0, blowing their 2-point conversion.

Arizona’s offense was spotty at best in the first half, and BYU had their number. Just as soon as the Cats got into a rhythm something would stop them. Arizona had to make something happen to keep up with the Cougars. Maybe Anu should run the ball sometimes?

Anu was big time sacked back to the 36-yardline making it difficult to get a field goal, and sure enough, it was up, and it went far left. The Wildcats went into the locker room with a goose egg, BYU 9 Arizona 0. If Jace Pollack would’ve made that long 52-yard field goal, the Cats would have won the game.

Was it time for Brandon Dawkins to get a chance at QB? According to Justin Spears Brandon was preparing, “A few players tapped Brandon Dawkins on the helmet and he immediately ran over to the other end zone to say a prayer.”

Arizona’s defense had to come up with an answer to BYU’s offense, and they did. It came after a nice little run by the Cougars who couldn’t convert on 3rd and 15.

Fans on social media were asking for a change in QB, but Dawkins didn’t come in at quarterback, Anu was back in at the helm. The next series went a little better. Starting on about the four-yard line, Nick Wilson and Trey Griffey got the Cats down to the 33. Then it happened again; On 3rd and seven, Anu got sacked, again, he couldn’t get rid of the football.

BYU 9 Arizona 3

The Broadcasters and ZZ Contributor Peggy McClain both mentioned that Solomon had an open man down the field, he just opted not to pass the ball. Junior kicker Josh Pollack made a 46-yard field goal putting the Cats on the board, BYU 9 Arizona 3.

Here’s a taste of the BYU O-line, watch this tackle:

BYU 15 Arizona 10

After a BYU touchdown, it was Arizona’s turn, BYU went for two points and missed, BYU 15 Arizona 3. Arizona answered back with a Tyrell Johnson catch for 20-yards plus a Nick Wilson 15-yard run. BYU 15, Arizona 10.

MOMENTUM FINALLY!

The defense was charged up coming in, and they took it to the Cougars. Forced a third and 23 to go, Davonte’ Neal stopped the runner, Arizona ball. Arizona took over on their own 33. And just when things looked good, Anu threw an interception, heartbreaking.

Arizona’s defense pulled through and stopped BYU’s running game with about five minutes to go. The Cat’s defense had held BYU to only 15 points, not too.

Arizona 16 BYU 15

The next series put the Cats in the lead. Nick Wilson scored a 49-yard touchdown off of a BYU botched blitz attempt, Arizona now on top 16 BYU 15. The Defense had to stop BYU, and they did what they could. BYU had the momentum at that point, all they needed was a field goal to win the game.

BYU 18 Arizona 16

BYU moved the ball to the 33-yard line and BYU Jake Oldroyd, a freshman, needed to kick the field goal to win the game. He kicked it right down the middle, BYU 18 Arizona 16.

One play and six seconds left. Jamardre Cobb caught the ball and fell on the field to stop the clock. If BYU didn’t have a timeout to use instead of a penalty, Arizona would have won the game. The last play of the game was a completed pass followed by a massive tackle by BYU and Oldroyd becomes a hero overnight on his first field goal attempt in the NCAA.

The consensus:

• But for a missed field goal (After Anu was sacked and lost 16 yards making the attempt 52 yards) and a rule that you can call a time out, and negate a 10-second clock run off rule (there was only 6 seconds left, so BYU wouldn’t have been able to kick a field goal), Arizona could have won this game.
• Arizona’s defense has improved from last season, kept the Cougars to 18 points
• The Wildcats came back to lead the Cougars with seconds left in the game
• Arizona beat the point spread (BYU -2.5).
• The game wasn’t embarrassing in the end; it was just disappointing and at the same time encouraging.
• Fans aren’t as sold on our starting QB as Rich Rod is
• Nick Wilson is BAAAACCCKKKKK!

Arizona joins USC (Alabama) and UCLA (Texas A & M) who also lost their season openers. BearDown Arizona! On to the next one.