Turnovers and mistakes doom Arizona Football in loss to Washington

TUCSON, AZ – It was a tale of two halves for the Arizona Football team in this one as the Wildcats get completely steamrolled in the second half.

It was a big weekend for the Arizona Football team. The schools celebrated family weekend, the Wildcats were 4-1 (2-0) and were playing host to Washington at home.

From the start, it looked as though this was going to be a tough match-up like many had anticipated. The Huskies are a good football team, and it showed early.

Arizona Wildcats

After just a five-play drive, the Wildcats would be forced to punt. But then mistakes set in by the Cats, as they would allow the Huskies to block the punt, giving them great field position early.

Luckily, Arizona’s defense would stand firm forcing UW to the turnover on downs.

However, after a quick three-and-out by the Cats, the Huskies would get the ball right back, driving the field only to settle for a field goal from Peyton Henry to make it 3-0 Huskies early.

Unfortunately, the inconsistencies would continue for Arizona, as Washington would again get the ball back a few series later, settling for yet another field goal to make it 6-0 Huskies, with 0:35 to go in the first quarter.

Hoping to come alive, Arizona would have another, quick, three-and-out, but luckily a muffed punt return by Washington was recovered by Arizona, and gave the Cats prime field position. They responded with a field goal from 50 yards.

Trailing just 6-3, the poor play would continue for Arizona, as Khalil Tate would then fumble deep in his own territory, giving Washington the easy touchdown. After the score, the Huskies would lead 13-3.

Needing some kind of life, Arizona would finally respond! Tate and the Wildcats would then go on a 75-yard, nine play drive, resulting in a touchdown pass from Tate to Jamarye Joiner from 40 yards out to make it 13-10.

After a quick three-and-out by the Huskies, Arizona would score again, as Tate and the Wildcats went 68 yards in nine plays, capped by a J.J. Taylor touchdown run to give Arizona the lead at 17-13 with 1:06 to go in the half.

But unfortunately, football is played in two halves, and the Huskies came out strong in the second half.

Trailing 17-13, Washington scored on four of their first, five drives, picking up three touchdowns and a field goal.

Arizona would settle for a field goal in there, after a hold negated another Taylor touchdown, but nonetheless, after the barrage of scoring by Washington, they lead 44-20 with 6:59 to go in the game.

At that point, Tate would be pulled out after just not playing well, replaced by the freshman Gunnell. Now under center, the freshman would help the team drive 79 yards on nine plays, scoring on an impressive, 25-yard touchdown run from Nathan Tilford to make it 44-27.

But after an unsuccessful on-side attempt, the Huskies got the ball in Arizona territory, and scored on another touchdown, this time a 10-yard run from Salvon Ahmed to put this one away for good at 51-27.

Tate would finish the game 13 of 25 passing, with 184 yards and a touchdown and interception. He would also have -28 yards rushing on attempts with a fumble.

Taylor would end up having a respectable game, finishing with 89 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown as well.

With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 4-2 (2-1) on the year, and will have to bounce back quickly as they take on a reeling, but very talented USC on the road next weekend.

At Zona Zealots, we’re bummed for the loss, but hope the Wildcats can get this thing turned around quickly with USC and Stanford looming. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!