PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Khalil Tate appeared to be back on track two weeks ago in Arizona’s win over Colorado after having some up-and-down moments throughout the season. Tate set a personal record with 350 passing yards in the win over the Buffaloes to go with the third five-touchdown performance of his career, the most ever five-touchdown games by an Arizona quarterback.
–RB JJ Taylor is No. 2 in the conference with 1,221 rushing yards. Against the Buffaloes he ran for 192 yards, marking the third consecutive game he has gone over 150 yards. His consistency over the last several games has coincided with the Wildcats’ recent string of improved play.
–LB Colin Schooler continues to be the most important part of Arizona’s defense this season as he leads the team with 101 tackles and is tied for the conference lead in tackles for loss with 19. In the win over Colorado, the middle linebacker had nine tackles, including three for loss and a sack, and a pass breakup.
–S Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles could end up being one of the most important players on the field Saturday night as the secondary will always be a focal point when Washington State is on the other sideline. The senior “bandit” safety has been the defensive back to play the most snaps this season (692), and over the second half of the season Flannigan-Fowles turned things around with at least seven tackles in three out of his last four games, plus a sack and four pass breakups in that span as well.
SERIES HISTORY: Arizona has a 27-16 edge over Washington State. The Wildcats have earned seven wins in the last 10 meetings. They won 58-37 last season when the Cougars were ranked No. 15.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Mike and I have known each other a long time. We’ve shared ideas. We’ve visited each other. We’ve known each other a long time. So, is there a familiarity? Yes.” — Coach Kevin Sumlin, on Washington State head coach Mike Leach, who was the head coach at Texas Tech while Sumlin spent time on staff at Oklahoma in the Big 12 Conference. Sumlin’s coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Washington State.
