GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Arizona’s running game should be the bread and butter of the offense, but there have been times when it has struggled. One direct correlation to that has been starting left tackle Layth Friekh. The fifth-year senior had to miss the first two games as part of the stipulations for his return to UA this season; when he returned there was an immediate uptick in production. Friekh went into last week’s game with an ankle injury resulting in him not being able to finish the game. It impacted the Wildcats in the running game.
“I think you see what kind of offensive line we have with him,” Sumlin said. “I think you see where we are without him.”
If Friekh is able to return, it will be a bonus because Cal’s run defense is led by a pair of linebackers who have been impressive even in a losing effort last week against Oregon. The star of the show is Evan Weaver, who has 53 tackles in just four games this season for the Golden Bears.
DRAFT SLANT
–DL PJ Johnson has started to emerge as an important piece to Arizona’s defense in just his first season with the program. The redshirt junior has taken an interesting path from Sacramento State to junior college and now the Wildcats, but he has come into his own over the last couple games. Johnson moved over to defensive end from defensive tackle against USC and finished the game with four tackles including a sack and a fumble recovery. “He’s an anchor,” Sumlin said. “He’s a big guy that can move and is hard to move.”
ROSTER REPORT
–LB Anthony Pandy was suspended for last week’s game against USC for an undisclosed disciplinary reason. The reserve linebacker has 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and he had the first sack of the season for the Wildcats. Jacob Colacion filled in for Pandy against USC.
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