Arizona's defensive struggles create lots of learning opportunities
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona's defense had myriad problems in last week's season-opening 42-32 victory over Texas-San Antonio, but perhaps the most telling indicator of its struggles was the simple fact that it couldn't get off the field.
The Roadrunners amassed 29 first downs, 193 rushing yards and 332 passing yards. They converted 8 of 19 third-down attempts, 2 of 3 fourth-down attempts and held the ball for 35 minutes and 9 seconds. In the first half, they held possession for 21:05.
UTSA was forced to punt just three times. And despite 45 pass attempts, the Wildcats failed to register a single sack. And now they're facing several weeks without consensus All-America linebacker Scooby Wright, starting with Saturday's game at Nevada.
Talk about a learning opportunity.
"Defensively we gave up way too many yards, first downs, and points," head coach Rich Rodriguez said." There were a lot of guys playing because of injuries or substitution situations, but there's a lot we can learn from, we know we have to get better with a tough game on the road this weekend."
The saving grace were two turnovers -- an interception return and a fumble return -- that directly resulted in 14 points. Rodriguez isn't complaining, but he knows better than to count on that formula on a weekly basis.
"I would like to hope that there's always an emphasis on getting turnovers, but in this day and age to completely stop someone, I don't know, it's hard," he said. "Offenses are so much more diverse, and there is so much talent there.
"We don't win that game without those two defensive turnovers and the blocked kick, which you can consider as one. Those were key for us, and not just getting a turnover but doing something with it.
"It looks like we are going to have to do that this year and be able to create some things defensively. We still have to get better on first down. We can't let teams control the tempo like UTSA did in the last game."
Johnny Jackson had eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in Arizona's victory.
Rodriguez praised the effort of senior receiver Johnny Jackson, who worked his way back into good graces after being buried on the depth chart after spring drills. Jackson, who made an unsuccessful attempt at converting to defensive back last year, had a team-high eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
"Frankly I had a pretty straight talk with him, like I do with all the guys at the end of spring," Rodriguez said. "I was disappointed that he was almost accepting being buried on the depth chart and not competing for better playing time and being on special teams and that kind of stuff. Whether that had an effect on him or not -- but from that meeting at the end of spring until now, he's busted his tail this summer getting in shape.
"He came in with a great attitude during camp. We put him on special teams and he was doing a great job. So the past four or five months since spring practice, I think he's kind of been like, 'Well, geez, this is my senior year, I've got to make something happen,' and he is a great example of a senior doing all that he's supposed to do to have a great final year. I'm really proud of Johnny."
Junior receiver Cayleb Jones also paid his respects: "He had a great game and caught pretty much everything that came his way. That's only a little bit of Johnny. There is so much more that he can do."
Jackson's opportunity resulted in part because of a one-game suspension being served by junior receiver Samajie Grant, who will be back in uniform this week.
"He can play inside, outside and he's an explosive guy," Rodriguez said. "And Samajie brings a certain energy, too. He's so competitive that you know it was hurting him to sit out. That was the idea."
