El Paso, Texas: The Arizona Football team traveled to West Texas, to take on the Miners of UTEP, where they dominated in a 63-16 win!
It was a big win last night, in the big ‘ol state of Texas for the Wildcats. Arizona Football (2-1) traveled to El Paso, and completely dominated the Miners by a 63-16 final!
Not much to learn or take away from this one, it was a game the Wildcats should win, and that they did. Junior quarterback Brandon Dawkins looked sharp, the defense stayed aggressive and Arizona paced themselves to a big win.
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Things would get off to a slow start, as the two teams would stay scoreless after the first quarter, but shortly after Arizona would get things going when JJ Taylor would score on a Dawkins throw from two yards out.
Arizona would also explode for 35 points in the second quarter.
In that first half, Dawkins looked sharp, completing 12 of 13 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding another 76 yards rushing with two touchdowns on the ground.
However, it was perhaps junior receiver and Louisiana native Shun Brown, who stole the show in the first half, making two, huge plays! He challenged JJ Taylor on the nickname “Spin Cycle” we came up with for him, now we have Spin Cycle Taylor and Spin Cycle Brown.
Dawkins would connect with Brown on a 36-yard pass that eventually was called a touchdown, as Brown extended his body across the UTEP goal line.
Just a few minutes later, Brown would make the game 28-0, when he fielded a punt at their own 37 yard line, returning it 63 yards for a touchdown. Brown would take the punt, splitting a few defenders, before darting back to the left side of the field, and making a spin move along the sideline as he galloped into the end zone!
Shun Brown talking about his spin move on his punt return TD pic.twitter.com/fxEwryaUFK
— Matt Moreno (@MattRMoreno) September 16, 2017
In the second half, Arizona would essentially cruise, before pulling Dawkins in the fourth quarter to rest him with the game in hand. He would be replaced by Rhett Rodriguez, who would see a couple series. After Rhett got hit hard and fumbled the ball, Donavan Tate, the 26-year old former professional baseball player and freshman quarterback, would enter to finish out the game for Arizona.
The Wildcats would earn a 63-16 victory in this one, improving to 2-1 on the season.
Wildcats (2-1) won in big El Paso 63-16! #BearDown #ArizonaFootball pic.twitter.com/XCem3RFxcw
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) September 16, 2017
Even though it was the offense who stole the show, the defense performed well, holding the Miners to just 16 points and 218 yards (17 rushing). The Wildcat defense would also force two turnovers, including an interception by freshman linebacker, Colin Schooler. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles recovered a fumble to add to his stellar stats for the season.
Colin Schooler with an INT and a return down to the five yard line! That's his second forced turnover of the night. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/21BLfls1x1
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 16, 2017
The victory was much-needed last night, as much as it was expected. Arizona now improves to 2-1 on the season, with Utah coming into town next week to open Pac-12 play. Arizona will get an extra day of rest which could be huge if the Wildcats hope to pull the upset.
Listen to the team as they give their thoughts following the game.
Must Read: More on Arizona Football
At Zona Zealots, we would like to congratulate the team on the win last night, and only hope this momentum carries into next week! Brandon Dawkins broke his own record scoring six touchdowns, three in the air, and three on the ground! Congrats B-Dawks. Bear Down, Arizona!