Arizona has matched its win total from last season with a 4-1 start, and a significant reason why is the defense led by new coordinator Danny Gonzales.
The Wildcats, 1-1 in Big 12 play, finished 4-8 last year when the defense and offense were both inconsistent.
Arizona ranked No. 106 in total defense (413 yards allowed per game) and No. 96 in total offense (354.5 yards produced a game).
The Wildcats’ ranking in both areas through five games this season: No. 10 in total defense (244.8) and No. 43 in total offense (430.0) under new offensive coordinator Seth Doege and his Air Raid attack with prolific-passing junior Noah Fifita becoming more and more efficient.
Arizona’s offense was expected to increase production behind the experienced Fifita, who tied a career high with his five touchdown passes in the 41-13 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday at Arizona Stadium. Fifita’s 57 career touchdown passes tie Khalil Tate on the Arizona record charts.
It’s the defense that was the great unknown shifting from Duane Akina to Gonzales at defensive coordinator coming off last year’s struggles when Gonzales was the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.
This is where Arizona ranks nationally on defense after limiting Oklahoma State to without a touchdown — the third time Gonzales’ group has achieved that feat — and limited the Cowboys to 158 yards of total offense – 69 passing and 89 rushing – and forced three turnovers:
No. 19 scoring defense (15.6 points allowed per game)
No. 25 rushing defense (97.6 yards per game)
No. 11 passing defense (147.2)
No. 10 total defense (244.8)
No. 25 turnover margin (+4)
No. 35 sacks (2.6 per game)
No. 8 tackles for loss (8.6 per game)
No. 12 interceptions (1.4 per game/7 overall)
No. 17 fumbles recovered (4)
No. 10 opponent 3rd down conversions (25.71%)
“I think it starts with how hard we play,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said in the press conference after the win over Oklahoma State. “It looks violent. It looks physical. It looks like people running to the football. I think that part of it can’t be overstated.
“I think Coach Gonzales has done a great job, and that staff, of giving those players clear understanding of what their job description is, and then helping them understand what to do — ‘Here is the red line you’re going to attach to that. This is the effort you’re going to attach to it. This is the violence you’re going to attach to that job description.'”
Arizona’s defense is the only unit in the country that has yet to allow a passing touchdown this season.
The Wildcats limiting Oklahoma State to 69 yards through the air marks the third time this year they have held an opponent under 100 passing yards.
Some of the individual standouts nationally include:
DL Shawn McKnight, a senior, ranking No. 18 with 1.4 tackles for loss per game.
DB Jay’Vion Cole, a junior, No. 16 with two interceptions, 0.50 a game (Treydan Stukes and Jack Luttrell are also among the top 100 defensive backs with an interception in their three games played, 0.33 a game).
DB Genesis Smith, a junior, No. 16 with 1.2 passes defended a game (one interception, five passes broken up and five passes defended). Cole is No. 84 at 1.00 a game.
In terms of tackling, Arizona is very balanced with 14 players tallying at least 10 tackles with fifth-year senior safety Dalton Johnson the leader with 31. Smith is next with 28, followed by senior linebacker Max Harris (25) and junior linebacker Taye Brown (22).
McKnight leads with seven tackles for loss, followed by fourth-year junior linebacker Chase Kennedy (four), senior defensive end Malachi Bailey (3.5) and fifth-year senior linebacker Riley Wilson (3).
Kennedy and Wilson are the leaders in sacks with two each.
Recommended for you
