‘TNT’ Report from Arizona’s 45-38 loss to Hawaii

Explosive commentary in this week’s ‘TNT’ Turnovers and Takeaways Report

Well, Arizona has done it again as the Wildcats managed to fall short against a team they absolutely should have beaten. It is an all too common thing for Arizona to play up and down to the level of its competition, a sadly-shared characteristic of middling football programs lacking the type of identity that leads to season-long rollercoaster rides that keep rabid fans guessing as to what could possibly happen next. Without belaboring the cause of fan frustration any further, let us simply look at the ‘TNT’ that has Arizona faithful smoking mad after week one of the new football season.

Turnovers

Less than 72 hours ago, few could have imagined a final score where the team with a +4 turnover margin after 60 minutes of play would actually walk away as the loser. However, that is exactly what happened to Arizona after the Wildcats produced six takeaways against the Rainbow Warriors. Do not get me wrong, the six forced turnovers were impressive. Great defenses find ways to take the ball away. However, great defenses also do not allow what basically amounted to 600 yards of total offense and 45 points allowed despite causing six turnovers. In a word, it is mind-boggling; a total assault on logic and common sense.

Amazingly, and perhaps fittingly, of the game’s eight total turnovers, it was one of Arizona’s that proved most costly. With just under eight minutes remaining and momentum favoring the Wildcats, Hawaii’s Ikem Okeke picked off Arizona’s Khalil Tate at the goal line and raced across midfield to not only deny a potential go-ahead score, but set up the Rainbow Warriors to eventually take a decisive 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter.

Takeaways

Takeaway #1

Defensive Coordinator Marcel Yates has taken a ton of criticism since the loss. In fact, the criticism started minutes into Saturday’s tilt as Hawaii quickly built a 14-0 lead. Entering his fourth season, most anticipated improvement over last year’s lackluster defensive statistics. After one game in which Arizona allowed 595 yards of offense, it is safe to say most fans are hoping the Wildcats can at least return to 2018 form when the defense gave up 432 yards and what now feels like a mere 32.6 points per game.

Takeaway #2

Offensively, although the Wildcats did amass 539 yards in Honolulu, the early offensive struggles were indeed offensive. With a defense as unpredictable as Arizona’s, it becomes imperative for the offense to consistently produce. Against Hawaii, Arizona gained just eight yards of total offense to trail the Rainbow Warriors 14-0 after the first quarter. This is an offense that returned its star quarterback, one of the best running backs in the country, and what was supposed to be a more experienced offensive line. Forget about Arizona’s defense for a minute and realize that Arizona’s offense was equally responsible for the loss last Saturday. I say this because Hawaii featured one of the worst defenses, nationally, a season ago and would ultimately allow Arizona to rack up 527 total yards of offense over the final three quarters.

Takeaway #3

It is difficult to lay blame on Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone. The play calling seemed fine on Saturday. In fact, Mazzone seemed to dial up the perfect sideline receiver screens and mini wheel routes on multiple occasions, only to see quarterback Tate zip the ball wildly out of bounds. I counted three times where Tate missed on these chances that had the Wildcats poised for 15-20 yard gains each time. While it is obvious Tate is an incredibly talented and athletic quarterback (361 yards passing and 3 TDs, and 108 yards rushing), it is also obvious he has room for improvement. Decision making out of Arizona’s R.P.O. Scheme aside (read: J.J. Taylor only had 14 touches against Hawaii), Tate still lacks consistency in putting the required touch needed to complete the short passes that allow receivers to continue their stride while making the catch. Undoubtedly, Tate has one of the best arms in college football and does connect on some completions that give defensive coordinators nightmares, but he needs to develop a change up to compliment his fastball.

Takeaway #4

Despite the offseason chatter, many Wildcat fans were not buying what the program was selling. This fact might be more problematic than the actual losses. Arizona fans have had the carpet pulled from beneath their feet too many times to wear shoes with anything less than a Kung Foo grip these days. The program will need to work twice as hard and perform twice as good to convince an exhausted fan base that promises of better days will not be broken. This is certainly unfair to the current roster and the current coaches, but this is the reality they face. And while it is not their job to lift the spirits of Wildcat fans, there is truth that fan momentum can be as powerful as team momentum. When everyone in the stands is sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for something bad to happen on the field, it usually does. Conversely, when the fans are rabid and convinced that no matter what happens the team is going to find a way to win, the players generally do. For anyone sitting in the stands on that unforgettable Saturday when the Wildcats upset top-ranked Washington in 1992, you know exactly what I am trying to say here.   

Takeaway #5

Arizona can recover from the Hawaii loss. As crazy as it may seem today, Arizona can turn things around and have a bounce-back season. Sports are a funny thing where momentum is real, where the light bulb does finally go off, and where things suddenly just click. Arizona’s roster is not replete of talent. The Wildcats have depth, they have experience, and they do have offensive and defensive schemes that can work against elite competition. Perhaps, like the fans, all the players and coaches need is one confidence-inspiring performance to swing momentum in their favor.