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We're just 2 days away from the PAC-12 Media Days! Prepare for the season by diving into the 2017 #PAC-12 Football Media Guide. Click link below to read the PAC-12 Media Guide
http://pac12.me/2eIeTrQ
Here's what they say about the Wildcats.
A QUICK LOOK AT THE WILDCATS
OFFENSE: The Wildcats were about as banged up as any team in
the Pac-12 last season. Seniors Layth Friekh (6-5, 282), Gerhard de
Beer (6-7, 314) and Jacob Alsadek (6-7, 315) anchor an offensive line
that is deep with experience and if healthy could be one of the best
units under coach Rich Rodriguez.
Running backs Nick Wilson and J.J. Taylor were sidelined last season with injuries, but had a healthy
spring and will look to get a majority of the carries. Wilson has compiled
2,424 career rushing yards with 27 TDs, while Taylor was impressive
in a shortened freshman season with 261 yards in four games.
Rodriguez expects heated competition at quarterback between incumbent
Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate. Dawkins rushed for 94.4 yards
per game, which was fourth in the Pac-12 and fifth-highest amongst
all FBS quarterbacks. While the Wildcats kept to the ground late in
the season, they do have capable receivers returning in Shun Brown
(29 receptions/521 yards/3 TDs) and Cam Denson (15 receptions/242
yards/2 TDs). Despite just seven receptions last season, expect tight
end Trevor Wood to have a bigger role in the passing game, while continuing
to provide the running attack with an extra blocker.
DEFENSE: The Arizona secondary is the focal point for the Wildcat
defense, which is led by cornerback Dane Cruikshank and free safety
Isaiah Hayes. The best athlete of the group may be Demetrius Flannigan-
Fowles. Cruikshank and Flannigan-Fowles led the Wildcats with
two interceptions each. Brandon Rutt and Gavin Robertson will bring
some much needed size to the linebacker position. DeAndre' Miller
is versatile enough to move between linebacker and defensive end
where he recorded 18 tackles and three sacks last season and will join
Justin Belknap and Parker Zellers to give Arizona an athletic defensive
front. While Josh Pollack handled both placekicking and punting
chores last season, look for him to concentrate on placekicking duties
Offensive Starters Returning (7) Offensive Starters Lost (4)
LT Layth Friekh (Sr., 6-5, 282) SL Samajie Grant
C Nathan Eldridge (RSo., 6-3, 290) WR Nate Phillips
RG Jacob Alsadek (RSr., 6-7, 315) LG Freddie Tagaloa
RT Gerhard de Beer (RSr., 6-7, 314) WR Trey Griffey
SLT Shun Brown (Jr., 5-8, 175)
RB Nick Wilson (Sr., 5-10, 208)
QB Brandon Dawkins (RJr., 6-3, 210)
Defensive Starters Returning (7) Defensive Starters Lost (4)
DE Justin Belknap (RSo., 6-2, 247) NT Sani Fuimaono
NG Parker Zellers (RSr., 6-1, 247) MIKE Michael Barton
SLB DeAndre' Miller (RSo., 6-3, 230) WLB Paul Magloire Jr.
Bandit D. Flannigan-Fowles (Jr., 6-2, 199) SPUR Tellas Jones
CB Jace Whittaker (Jr., 5-11, 180)
CB Dane Cruikshank (RSr., 6-1, 204)
FS Isaiah Hayesl (So., 6-0, 180)
Starting Kickers Returning (2) Starting Kickers Lost (0)
PK Josh Pollack (RJr., 5-10, 184)
P Josh Pollack (RJr., 5-10, 184)
positions listed as of last season
2016 ARIZONA STATISTICAL LEADERS
(returnees in italics)
RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD
Brandon Dawkins 131 944 7.2 10
Samajie Grant 74 461 6.2 6
Zach Green 77 372 4.8 3
Nick Wilson 55 331 5.8 3
PASSING PC-PA-HI Pct Yds TD
Brandon Dawkins 98-182-6 .538 1,348 8
Anu Solomon 37-63-2 .587 462 1
RECEIVING No. Yds Avg TD
Nate Phillips 33 414 12.5 2
Shun Brown 29 521 18.0 3
Trey Griffey 23 382 16.6 2
Samajie Grant 22 247 11.2 3
Scoring: Josh Pollack (63)
Field Goals: Josh Pollack (9-14)
Punting: Josh Pollack (42.2)
Kickoff Returns: Tyrell Johnson (15.4)
Punt Returns: Nate Phillips (4.9)
Interceptions: Dane Cruikshank, D. Flannigan-Fowles (2)
Tackles: Paul Magloire (81)
Tackles For Loss: Michael Barton (8.0)
Quarterback Sacks: Michael Barton, DeAndre' Miller (3.0)
2017 SCHEDULE
(6 home, 6 away)
Sept. 2 .......Northern Arizona ................... ARIZ leads, 13-1-0
Sept. 9 .......Houston ...................................Series tied, 1-1-0
Sept. 15 .....at UTEP ............................... ARIZ leads, 38-11-2
Sept. 22 .....Utah ...................................UTAH leads, 21-19-2
Oct. 7 ........at Colorado ...........................COLO leads, 14-5-0
Oct. 14 ......UCLA .................................UCLA leads, 24-15-2
Oct. 21 ...... at California ......................... ARIZ leads, 16-14-2
Oct. 28 ......Washington State ................. ARIZ leads, 26-16-0
Nov. 4 ........at USC .................................. USC leads, 31-8-0*
Nov. 11 ......Oregon State ........................ ARIZ leads, 22-15-1
Nov. 18 ......at Oregon .............................ORE leads, 25-16-0
Nov. 25 ...... at Arizona State ................... ARIZ leads, 49-40-1
* Not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty
3-9, 1-8 in Pac-12 South, 6th)
L ..............16-18 .................................................................vs. BYU*
W .............31-21 ...............................................................Grambling
W .............47-28 ....................................................................Hawai'i
L ..............28-35 (OT) ............................................No. 9 Washington
L ..............24-45 .................................................................. at UCLA
L ..............23-36 ........................................................ at No. 24 Utah
L ..............14-48 ........................................................................USC
L ..............10-34 .................................................................. Stanford
L ..............7-69 ....................................... at No. 25 Washington State
L ..............24-49 ...................................................... No. 16 Colorado
L ..............17-42 ....................................................... at Oregon State
W .............56-35 ...........................................................Arizona State