Pasadena, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – After yet another close call, the 25th-
ranked UCLA Bruins will attempt to pull off an upset of the 14th-ranked
Arizona Wildcats when the two teams meet in Pac-12 Conference action at the
Rose Bowl.
Since its stunning 31-24 victory over Oregon on Oct. 2, Arizona has been a
fixture in the AP Top-25. The Wildcats currently sit at No. 14 following a
59-37 shootout win at Washington State last weekend. That victory allowed the
Wildcats to bounce back from a 28-26 disappointment against USC, their first
and only loss of the season.
UCLA lost back-to-back games to begin October, but it has recovered since with
consecutive victories, although the Bruins have just barely scraped by in
those contests, topping California (36-34) and Colorado (40-37 in double-
overtime). They are now 6-2 overall and 3-2 against the rest of the
conference.
Last season, UCLA held on for a 31-26 victory over Arizona, earning its second
straight victory in the series. As a result, the Bruins lead by a 21-15-2
margin, which includes a 9-4-1 mark in Pasadena.
Powering Arizona’s impressive season has been its strong play on offense. The
Wildcats lead the Pac-12 in total offense (541.9 ypg), topping even mighty
Oregon in the first seven games. They also rank third in scoring (40.6 ppg).
At the forefront of the attack is a redshirt freshman. Anu Solomon has
rewarded head coach Rich Rodriguez’s confidence this season, as he has thrown
for 2,430 yards and 20 touchdowns, while completing 63.3 percent of his pass
attempts and tallying all of four interceptions. By averaging 347.1 yards per
game, he is ranked third in the Pac-12. He carved up Washington State last
weekend, finishing with 294 yards and five scores on 26-of-38 passing.
“He made some really good decisions, saw the field well and made some really
good throws,” Rodriguez said of Solomon’s performance. “His demeanor and
ability to understand the moment have been really good, and I think that is
why he has had so much success.”
It is clear that Cayleb Jones is Solomon’s favorite target. Jones leads the
Wildcats in receptions (46), receiving yards (670) and touchdown receptions
(seven). Jones finished with 78 yards and a score on seven grabs, and Hill
added 63 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Austin Hill (29 receptions,
408 yards, four TDs) and Nate Phillips (23 receptions, 251 yards, two TDs)
provide depth in the receiving corps.
Nick Wilson (592 yards, seven TDs) and Terris Jones-Grigsby (406 yards, three
TDs) have each been important parts in the running game. Jones-Grigsby got
most of the work against Washington State, finishing with 107 yards on 13
carries.
Scooby Wright leads the way for the Arizona defense. The linebacker is second
in the Pac-12 in tackles (78) and tackles for loss (14.0), while ranking third
in sacks (9.0). However, despite his efforts, Arizona still leaves something
to be desired on defense, allowing 28.3 points and 447.9 yards per game.
Although it took two overtimes for UCLA to dispatch Colorado, the Bruins
showed a ton of power on offense, finishing with 509 total yards, including
309 on the ground. Their potency on offense is well documented, with the team
averaging 35.8 points and 494.5 yards per game.
Paul Perkins really did a number on the Colorado defense, finishing with 180
yards and two touchdowns on only 19 carries. Perkins is the second-leading
rusher in the Pac-12 (996 yards), and one of only three players in the
conference to be averaging more than 100 yards per game. However, he only has
five rushing scores.
Brett Hundley is still the focal point of the offense, at least when it comes
to media attention. Hundley has been solid this season, although he has not
lived up to the immense hype. He has completed 70.8 percent of his passes for
2,056 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also added 415 yards
and five scores on the ground. He showed off his versatility against Colorado,
accounting for 200 yards passing and 110 rushing. Coach Jim Mora liked
Hundley’s play on the ground, but was a bit discouraged by his passing
performance.
“He was a little off. The ball was sailing on him a little bit,” Mora said.
“(He) ran the ball well. He ran for over 100 yards but the throws, he wasn’t
as crisp as he’s been.”
Jordan Payton (47 receptions, 664 yards, six TDs) is the team’s top receiving
threat, and by a wide margin. Devin Fuller (38 receptions, 297 yards, TD) is
second on the team in receptions, while Thomas Duarte (18 receptions, 329
yards, two TDs) and Eldridge Massington (19 receptions, 311 yards, two TDs)
are the closest to Payton in terms of yardage.
Obviously, the issue against Colorado was not the offense, but rather a poor
defensive effort. The Bruins allowed 500 total yards to the Buffaloes, who are
still winless in Pac-12 play. On the season, UCLA is allowing 30.2 points and
434.9 yards per game.
