PLAYERS TO WATCH
–LB Colin Schooler continues to provide Arizona with a bright spot on defense each week. The sophomore has 11.5 tackles for loss, mostly against the run, as the coaches often ask the middle linebacker to drop into coverage on passing downs. He intercepted his first pass of the season last week against Cal, returning it 50 yards, before the ball was punched out from behind. It all worked out as Azizi Hearn fielded the ball on a bounce and returned it the rest of the way for a TD. Schooler is tied for 16th nationally with 11.0 tackles per game. “He’s one of the best players in this conference,” coach Kevin Sumlin said.
–QB Khalil Tate ran for a season-high 40 yards against Cal, including a key 17-yard zone-read keep on third-and-9 when UA was deep in its own territory early in the fourth quarter. Tate has been battling a left ankle injury, which is part of the reason for his lack of production, but coach Kevin Sumlin said his junior quarterback can do more in the zone-read game. “When he pulls it, there are some opportunities,” Sumlin said.
–RB JJ Taylor, boosted by his 284-yard day against Oregon State, is on his way to a 1,000-yard season. The junior has rushed 104 times for 600 yards and three touchdowns halfway through the season.
–DT Dereck Boles had four stops and a fumble recovery last week against Cal. He and nose guard Finton Connelly have done a nice job in recent games plugging the middle, but they will tested by a persistent and physical Utah offensive line.
SERIES HISTORY: Utah leads Arizona 22-19-2 and has won two in a row, including, 30-24 last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s the best defense in the league right now. They have a lot of experience, a lot of size and a lot of athleticism. They play well together. They haven’t given up a bunch of big plays and have really limited people in the run game.” — Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin, on Utah’s defense