Sep 19, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Arizona Stadium. Photo Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona takes on UCLA this Saturday in what will be one of the program’s most-hyped home games in school history.
The 16th-ranked Wildcats will be taking on a top-10 foe; the Bruins are ranked No. 9.
Both teams are 3-0.
It’s the Pac-12 opener for each team, a key South division battle.
Arizona is unveiling new red chrome helmets.
UA All-American linebacker Scooby Wright might return after limping off early in the opening game with a knee injury.
It’s the ABC prime-time game, kicking off at 5:22 Pacific time.
ESPN’s popular College GameDay program will be making its second appearance in Tucson, having last done so in November 2009 in a game against Oregon.
“All the games are big, as I told the team, you can sense the big-game feel on campus this week,” said UA coach Rich Rodriguez. “Whether I want to preach it or not, it’s going to be there. GameDay is coming to town, and there will be a lot of buzz about it all week.
“Our guys came to Arizona to play in these big games, and they get a chance to do it on Saturday.”
Arizona has looked progressively better each week, although skeptics could point to a puffy-soft non-conference schedule of UTSA, at Nevada and vs. lower-division Northern Arizona. The Wildcats are coming off a prolific game on offense against the Lumberjacks, setting school records for points (77), total offense (792) and rushing yards in a 77-13 victory.
The Bruins are an entirely different beast. And it’s one that Rodriguez has had a difficult time corralling during this time at Arizona. He is 0-3 against UCLA and coach Jim Mora, who came into the league at the same time.
Arizona has averaged only 312.3 yards per game against the Bruins in the Mora-Rodriguez matchups.
“It’s a whole different level of game now since it’s the Pac-12 now,” Arizona safety Brandon Lopez said of playing UCLA. “Going against such a big team, it’s going to be a big challenge.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Anu Solomon has attempted 104 passes with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions, and he is one of two quarterbacks in the country with double-digit TD totals without a pick (USC’s Cody Kessler is the other). “He’s been pretty sharp with his decisions,” said Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez. “We always say, ‘Throw it to the most open guy.’ He has done that most of the time. … But his field vision, seeing the whole field, has been pretty sharp.”
–RB Nick Wilson ranks first in the Pac-12 and seventh in the nation in rushing at 144.7 yards per game, one spot ahead of UCLA’s Paul Perkins (143.0 yards per game). He is averaging about 21 carries per game, but his workload could go up this week as he figures to be needed for the whole game and not just about a half of work, as in the past two weeks.
–CB DaVonte’ Neal has looked good in his transition from offense, starting the first three games and leading the team with 20 tackles, plus one interception. The junior, a former receiver, has been good in coverage because of his athleticism, but his physical play has been a pleasant surprise.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads Arizona, 22-15-1. The Bruins have won the past three, including 17-7 last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “They’re pretty cool. We weren’t expecting them. It was a nice surprise and a real treat.” — DL Sani Fuimaono, on the team’s new red chrome helmets, which were unveiled by coach Rich Rodriguez after Sunday night’s practice
