GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Oregon State is led by freshman running back Jermar Jefferson, who is currently No. 7 on the FBS rushing list with 391 yards, going up against Arizona’s rush defense that is currently sitting at No. 115 among FBS schools, allowing 224.3 yards per game through the first three games this year. The Wildcats are dealing with several injuries up front that have altered the plan for stopping the run, and so far the result has not been good. Jefferson rushed for 238 yards and four touchdowns against Southern Utah two weeks ago and followed that up with 106 yards and two scores Saturday against Nevada. The Arizona defense allowed Southern Utah to run for 193 yards and three scores on the ground last week.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Shawn Poindexter has been Arizona’s most productive receiver so far this season, and although he only caught one pass for the Wildcats in Saturday’s win he made it count by going 75 yards for his first touchdown of the year. The 6-foot-5 wideout leads the team with 277 receiving yards on 12 receptions.
ROSTER REPORT
–FS Scottie Young Jr. and CB Jace Whittaker both started the game Saturday after missing the first two games of the season. However, their time on the field wouldn’t last long with both exiting the game shortly after the initial drive. Sumlin indicated the decision to not play either defensive back later in the game was precautionary as both players have been dealing with injuries to start the year.
–DE Justin Belknap is expected to miss anywhere from 8-12 weeks with a broken foot that he suffered late in the week during practice. Sophomore JB Brown took Belknap’s spot with the starting unit.
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