Arizona Football: Zach Green scores first Touchdown, Samajie Grant shined in loss to Buffs

The ZonaZoo was a third the size it needed to be, and the rest were out partying while the Arizona Football team tried to turn the corner.

Things were going pretty well for the Arizona Football team up until they weren’t. Mid second quarter, Colorado scored while Josh Pollack missed three field goals. The referee’s missed a couple of crucial calls which also cost the Cats.

Anu Solomon took over in the third quarter for Brandon Dawkins. Solomon showed more patience in the pocket and ran the ball a couple of times which was encouraging. An interception by Brandon Rutt and the subsequent touchdown by Zach Green and the Cats started clawing back slowly.

More penalties, more Rich Rod yelling on the sidelines and the Cats lost the game by 25 points, but against the No. 12 and probably No. 10 or higher team in the nation. The plus here is that Arizona scored 24 points which are more than they had scored since the UCLA game on October 1st when they lost 45-24. Tonight the Wildcats lost 49-24.

Could we say they are back to at least the form they were in a month and a half ago when we all had hope for the season? The Cats travel to Oregon State for their second to last game of the season. Then they play Arizona State University for the Territorial Cup. If they win that, it could bring some joy to some fans and the team.

Highlights First Half:

• Brandon Dawkins to Shun Brown for 50 yards
• Samajie Grant 45-yard run
• Samajie Grant touchdown run complete with a hurdle over the defense
• Two consecutive late hits, or possible Paul Magloire late hits, the second one called, costs Arizona a TD, was third down.
• Referee’s missed a pass interference call in the end zone, then a missed call on the intentional grounding, YES, THERE WERE RECEIVERS IN THE AREA OF THE PASS!

Highlights Second Half:

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• The first drive with Brandon Dawkins at the helm marched down into the red zone for another attempt at a field goal which Pollack missed, that would be his third of the game, the Cats could have had a score of 19, but stay at 10. But on the other hand, if the Cats would have scored touchdowns, they could have won the game.
• Anu Solomon in at quarterback after another TD by Colorado making it 42-10
• Final play of the third quarter, Anu Solomon passes to Nate Phillips for 30 yards, quarter ends
• Interception by Brandon Rutt was spectacular, gave the team some life as they scored on the next play
• The team completed a reverse play, something we have wanted to see all season and they pulled it off! Love it!
• Zach Green ran in a touchdown 45-24 Colorado – His FIRST TD ever “That’s something every running back wants to do, to get that off your shoulder, it meant a lot to me,” said Zach. Zach won the hearts of IMG’s Jeffries and Lovett
• Samajie Grant had his first 100+ (113) yard rushing game
• Paul Magloire made team-high nine tackles

If you check out the final stats, Arizona certainly had the yards to win, it was the penalties on third downs, the non-calls from the referee’s at crucial times in the game, and the yards lost killed the team. Also, Rich Rod mentioned that the RB’s didn’t get the blocks they needed, and couldn’t have gotten more yards.

“The players play as hard as they can, and sometimes when you play hard, you make mistakes,” we are paraphrasing, but that was Zach Green’s sentiment. He also reminded us that the team suffered through the loss of a teammate, Zach Hemmila, and if they could get through that, they can get through anything. Hmm, perspective, wise young man.

After the game, Coach Rich Rod spoke to Brian Jeffries and Lamont Lovett. He mentioned a few key points  “Thirteen penalties some of it were good calls, and some I didn’t know about,” said Rich Rod, he agreed with all of us on the penalties. Rodriguez agreed that Samajie Grant is doing well, “He’s a competitive guy, and if he could get blocks by anyone down the field [it would help].”

It was hard to catch what Rich was saying because he was so upset and disappointed in his team, he is at his wit’s end. “Kick a field goal, take a sack, just things you can’t do to win,” Rodriguez mentioned he is proud of Zach Green.

Washington lost to USC, so Washington State is the only undefeated team in the Pac-12 Conference.

Postgame press conference from Arizona Daily Star:

Must Read: Arizona Basketball: Early Season win felt a lot like March Madness

The Cats will keep their heads up as much as possible; trying to continue playing and practicing hard. As for this Zona Zealots Expert, I feel Rich Rod’s pain, no volunteers for pre or post game analysis…when it rains it pours, but I will keep my head up too.