2018 Arizona Wildcats football team


The 2018 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marked the Wildcats's 119th season. They played their home games at the Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona and competed members of the South Division in the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Kevin Sumlin. The Wildcats finished the season 5–7 and did not qualify for a bowl game. They went 4–5 in Pac-12 play, tying USC for third place in the South Division.

Previous season

The 2017 Arizona Wildcats football team finished the regular season with a 7–5, 5–4 in Pac-12 play to finish in third place in the South Division. They were invited to the Foster Farms Bowl where they fell to Purdue, 35–38. Following the conclusion of his sixth season with the Wildcats, head coach Rich Rodriguez was fired.

Offseason

Offseason departures

The Wildcats have 17 senior graduates only graduated players noted until spring practice. As well as one junior who would choose to forgo their senior season in pursuit of an earlier NFL career. The Wildcats would lose four more players from the 2017 team due to various reasons. Notable departures from the 2017 squad included.
NamePositionYearReason
Donavan TateQBFRLeft from team
Nick WilsonRBSRGraduation
Zach GreenRBrSRGraduation
Tyrell JohnsonWRSRGraduation
Zach BenjaminWRrSRGraduation
Trevor WoodTErJRChose to graduated and transfer
Gerhard de BeerOLrSRGraduation/NFL
Jacob AlsadekOLrSRGraduation
De’Andre MillerDErSRGraduation
Jack BandaDErSRGraduation
Brandon RuttLBJRChose to Graduated and transfer
Brandon DawkinsQBrJRChose to Graduated and transfer
Isaiah StrongLBSRGraduation
Christian BoettcherOLSRGraduation
Parker ZellersDLrSRGraduation
Marcus GriffinDLrJRChose to graduated and transfer
Dane CruikshankCBrSRGraduation/NFL
Kwesi MashackCBSRGraduation
Luca BrunoDLrSRGraduation
Larry Tharpe Jr.LBrJRDeclared for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Jarvis McCall Jr.SSRGraduation
Francisco NelsonDErSOElected to transfer

Recruiting

On December 20, 2017, NCAA Football started the first ever early signing period which they signed 15 recruits. On the national signing day the Wildcats received 2 more high school recruits tipping off the signing period with a total of 20 high school recruits, 1 walk-on HS recruit, 2 JUCO transfers and 4 college transfers which totals 28 total recruits in the 2018 offseason.

Source:

Incoming transfers

In addition to the 2018 recruiting class, Arizona add two JC transfer players from junior college and six transfer players from college, which includes eligible for the current season, to the 2018 roster:
Position key
BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDB
Defensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndE---
FullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerK---
Kickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLB---
Long snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQB---
Running backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR---

Returning starters

Arizona returns 30 starters in 2018, including 15 on offense, 9 on defense, and 5 on special teams.
Offensive starters
Defensive starters
Special Teams starters
† Indicates player was a starter in 2017 but missed all of 2018 due to injury.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released
Lott TrophyColin SchoolerLBSO
Rimington TrophyNathan EldridgeCJR
Maxwell AwardKhalil TateQBJR
Davey O'Brien AwardKhalil TateQBJR
Doak Walker AwardJ.J. TaylorRBRS SO
John Mackey AwardBryce WolmaTESO
Wuerffel TrophyMalcolm HollandDBJR
Paul Hornung AwardShun BrownWRSR
Walter Camp AwardKhalil TateQBJR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardKhalil TateQBJR
Manning AwardKhalil TateQBJR

Pac-12 media poll

The 2018 Pac-12 media days are set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Sumlin, Khalil Tate & Colin Schooler at Pac-12 media days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Wildcats predicted to finish in third place at Pac-12 South division.
Media poll

Spring game

The 2018 Wildcats had spring practice on March 19, 2018. The 2018 Arizona football spring game will take place in Tucson, AZ on April 14, 2018 and time to be determined.
DateSpring GameSiteTVResult
April 14, 2018Offensive vs. DefenseArizona Stadium • Tucson, AZP12NDefense 55–46

Schedule

Arizona announced its 2018 football schedule on November 16, 2017. The 2018 Wildcats' schedule consists of 7 home and 4 away games for the regular season. Arizona will host nine Pac-12 conference opponents California, Colorado, Oregon, USC and arch-rival Arizona State for the 91st annual Territorial Cup to close out the regular season and will travel to UCLA, Utah, Oregon State and Washington State. Arizona is not scheduled to play Pac-12 North opponents Stanford and Washington in the 2018 regular season. The Wildcats bye week comes during week 11 on November 10.
Arizona's out of conference opponents represent the American and Big Sky conferences. The Wildcats will host two non–conference games which are against Southern Utah from the Big Sky and BYU and travel to Houston from the American.

Personnel

Roster

Coaching staff

Arizona's coaching staff has finalized as of February 22, 2018.

Depth chart

Starters and backups.
Depth Chart Source: 2018 Arizona Wildcats Football Fact Book
True Freshman

Double Position : *

Game summaries

BYU

;Statistics
StatisticsBYUArizona
First downs2322
Total yards392326
Rushes–yards183129
Passing yards209197
Passing: Comp–Att–Int18-28-017-34-0
Time of possession36:3323:27

To open up the 2018 season, Arizona will host BYU Cougars for the non conference home opener in Tucson since 2016. Arizona lost the previous meeting in Glendale, AZ to BYU Cougars 16–18. Arizona lead the all-time series with 12–10.

at Houston

;Statistics
StatisticsArizonaHouston
First downs3128
Total yards531551
Rushes–yards150297
Passing yards381254
Passing: Comp–Att–Int28-50-219-40-0
Time of possession35:2024:40

After playing BYU at home, Arizona will travel to the Houston Cougars for the second non-conference game in Houston, TX. Arizona lost the previous meeting to Houston, 16–19 at Tucson last season. Arizona trailed the all-time series by Houston with 1–2.

Southern Utah

;Statistics
StatisticsSUUAZ
First downs3026
Total yards463626
Rushes–yards193268
Passing yards270358
Passing: Comp–Att–Int27-44-115-22
Time of possession37:0822:52

After playing Houston, Arizona will hosts the Southern Utah Thunderbirds for third and final non-conference game of the season. This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.

at Oregon State

;Statistics
StatisticsAZOSU
First downs2918
Total yards594238
Rushes–yards44297
Passing yards152141
Passing: Comp–Att–Int9–17–017–24–0
Time of possession27:0532:55

After playing the final non conference game Southern Utah at home, Arizona will open the Pac-12 regular season on the road to Corvallis, OR. Arizona won the previous meeting over Oregon State 49–28 at Tucson last season. Arizona lead the all-time series over Oregon State with 23–15–1.

USC

;Statistics
StatisticsUSCAZ
First downs1720
Total yards450330
Rushes–yards25398
Passing yards197232
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–24–016–33–1
Time of possession32:5127:09

After its first Pac-12 game of the season against Oregon State on the road, Arizona will face USC in Arizona's family weekend game in Tucson, AZ. Now, the Wildcats have lost four games in a row to the Trojans. UA lost 38–31 in 2013, 38–30 in 2015, and last previous meeting 49–35 at Los Angeles in 2017, and 28–26 at Tucson in 2014 in a close games. Arizona's last win in the series came in 2012 in Tucson. Arizona trailed the all-time series by USC with 8–32.

California

;Statistics
StatisticsCALAZ
First downs2514
Total yards476265
Rushes–yards161124
Passing yards315141
Passing: Comp–Att–Int32–43–315–25–1
Time of possession34:4625:14

After its game against USC at home, Arizona will play again at home facing the California in Tucson, AZ for the first non Pac-12 division game of the season. In the previous meeting, Arizona won over California 45–44 at second-overtime on the road in last season. Arizona has the all-time series lead over California with 17–14–2.

at Utah

;Statistics
StatisticsUAUTA
First downs1923
Total yards318495
Rushes–yards72230
Passing yards246265
Passing: Comp–Att–Int20–38–014–19–1
Time of possession26:5033:10

After playing against the California Golden Bears at home, Arizona will play against the Utah Utes on the road to Salt Lake City, UT. Arizona lose in the previous meeting to Utah 24–30 in last season at Tucson. Arizona trailed the all-time series by Utah, 19–22–2.

at UCLA

;Statistics
StatisticsAZUCLA
First downs2223
Total yards520460
Rushes–yards289153
Passing yards231307
Passing: Comp–Att–Int15–34–217–27–0
Time of possession27:1832:42

After its game against Utah on the road, Arizona will face UCLA on the road at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Arizona defeated UCLA in the previous meeting 47–30 in last season at Tucson. Arizona trailed the all-time series by UCLA 16–24–2.

Oregon

;Statistics
StatisticsUOAZ
First downs1827
Total yards270465
Rushes–yards84276
Passing yards186189
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–48–119–33–1
Time of possession23:5136:09

Following by its against UCLA on the road, Arizona will play at home against Oregon in the homecoming game. Oregon defeated the Wildcats 28–48 in the previous meeting on the road at Eugene, OR. Arizona trailed the all-time series by Oregon with 26–16.

Colorado

;Statistics
StatisticsCUAZ
First downs2727
Total yards383566
Rushes–yards40216
Passing yards343350
Passing: Comp–Att–Int27–43–117–22–1
Time of possession30:5629:04

After its game against Oregon at home. Wildcats will play again at home against the Colorado Buffaloes in Tucson, AZ. In previous season, Arizona defeated Colorado 44–42 on the road. Arizona trailed the all-time series lead by Colorado with 5–14.

at Washington State

;Statistics
StatisticsAZWSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Washington State defeats Arizona 69–28 in front of 22,800 in Pullman. After a 21–7 start, the Cougars exploded for 34 second quarter points, leading 55–14 at halftime, and cruising to a 41-point victory. The Cougars move to 10-1 while the Wildcats fall to 5-6. Arizona still retains the all-time series lead over Washington State with 27–17.

Arizona State (Territorial Cup">Arizona-Arizona State football rivalry">Territorial Cup)

;Statistics
StatisticsASUAZ
-
--
Rushes–yards-
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

After its game against Washington State Cougars on the road, Arizona will close out the 2018 season facing its arch-rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in the 92nd meeting of "Territorial Cup" in Tucson, AZ. Arizona lose to ASU in the previous meeting in Tempe with 30–42. Arizona has the all-time series lead over ASU with 49–41–1.

Rankings

Preseason polls

In-season polls

Statistics

Team

Non-conference opponents
Pac-12 opponents
Score total by Quarters

Offense

;Rushing
Note: G = Games played; ATT = Attempts; YDS = Yards; AVG = Average yard per carry; LG = Longest run; TD = Rushing touchdowns
NameGPAttGainLossNetAvgTDLongAvg/G
#21 J.J. Taylor4714858477 yards6.73 TDs62119.2
#23 Gary Brightwell4442729262 yards6.01 TDs4365.7
#25 Anthony Mariscal41170268 yards6.21 TDs3317.0
#6 Shun Brown4137037 yards37.00 TDs279.2
#14 Khalil Tate 423744331 yards1.32 TDs127.7
#86 Stanley Berryhill III 4117017 yards17.00 TDs174.2
#16 Jake Glatting 41808 yards8.00 TDs82.0
#38 Branden Leon3321021 yards7.01 TDs157.0
#4 Rhett Rodriguez 33927 yards2.30 TDs82.3
#20 Darrius Smith21568662 yards4.11 TDs1431.0
Total41741,06172989 yards5.79 TDs62247.2

;Passing
Note: G = Games played; COMP = Completions; ATT = Attempts; COMP % = Completion percentage; YDS = Passing yards; TD = Passing touchdowns; INT = Interceptions; EFF = Passing efficiency
NameGPAtt-Cmp-IntQBRPctYdsTDLngAvg/G
#14 Khalil Tate463–116–2148.8654.3%1,039 yards8 TDs75259.7
#4 Rhett Rodriguez36–7–0144.5185.7%49 yards0 TDs1616.3
Total469–123–2145.6156.1%1,088 yards8 TDs75272.0

;Receiving
Note: G = Games played; REC = Receptions; YDS = Yards; AVG = Average yard per catch; LG = Longest catch; TD = Receiving touchdowns
NameGPAttYardsAvgTDLongAvg/G
#19 Shawn Poindexter416369 yards23.02 TDs7592.2
#9 Tony Ellison412241 yards20.32 TDs5560.2
#6 Shun Brown418223 yards12.33 TDs6555.7
#7 DeVaughn Cooper4379 yards26.30 TDs5319.7
#86 Stanley Berryhill III4466 yards16.50 TDs2816.5
#18 Cedric Peterson4434 yards8.51 TDs168.5
#21 J.J. Taylor 4427 yards6.70 TDs186.7
#85 Jamie Nunley 4221 yards10.50 TDs115.2
#81 Bryce Wolma 4213 yards6.50 TDs113.2
#25 Anthony Mariscal 413 yards3.00 TDs30.75
#82 Zach Williams 1110 yards10.00 TDs1010.0
#20 Darrius Smith 213 yards3.00 TDs31.5
#80 Zach Peters 11-1 yards-1.00 TDs0-1.0
#40 Thomas Reid III000 yards0.00 TDs00.0
#83 Jailen Bailey000 yards0.00 TDs00.0
#1 Drew Dixon000 yards0.00 TDs00.0
#5 Brian Casteel000 yards0.00 TDs00.0
#88 Tre Adams000 yards0.00 TDs00.0
Total4691,088 yards15.78 TDs75272.0

Defense

Note: G = Games played; Solo = Solo tackles; Ast = Assisted tackles; Total = Total tackles; TFL-Yds = Tackles for loss-yards lost; Sack = Sacks; INT = Interceptions; PD = Passes defended; FF = Forced fumbles; FR = Forced recoveries

Special teams

Kick and punt returning
Note: G = Games played; PR = Punt returns; PYDS = Punt return yards; PLG = Punt return long; KR = Kick returns; KYDS = Kick return yards; KLG = Kick return long; TD = Total return touchdowns
Pos.PlayerGPRPYDSPLGAVGTotal PR TDsKRKYDSKLGTotal KOR TDsAVG
WRCedric Peterson30000023219015.0
WRStanley Berryhill III30000023219016.0
RBJ.J. Taylor300000823184128.9
RBGary Brightwell00000000000
WRShun Brown3214157.0000000
WRTony Ellison00000000000
TEJamie Nunley30000024402.0
TEBryce Wolma30000011101.0

Kicking
Note: G = Games played; FGM = Field goals made; FGA = Field goals attempted; LG = Field goal long; XPT = Extra points made; XPT ATT = XPT attempted; In20 = Kicking inside the 20; 20-29 = Kicking inside the 20-29; 30-39 = Kicking inside the 30-39; 40-49 = Kicking inside the 40-49; 50 = Kicking inside the 50; TP = Total points
Pos.PlayerGFGMFGALGI2020-2930-3940-4950+BLKXPTXPT ATTKOKO YardsTBAVGOB
KLucas Havrisik224490-01-10-01-20-11349581764.61
KJosh Pollack00000-00-00-00-00-00000000.00

Punting
Note: G = Games played; P = Punts; YDS = Yards; AVG = Average per punt; LG = Punt long; In20 = Punts inside the 20; TB = Touchbacks
Pos.PlayerGPYDSAVGLGFCIn2050+TBBLK
PDylan Klumph21148243.85344310
PJake Glatting0000000000

Awards and honors

Midseason award watch lists

Weekly awards

3rd Team

Bowl game

Senior Bowl

All Star Game

2019 NFL Draft

Team players drafted into the NFL

Media affiliates

Radio