Colorado spoiled Arizona’s homecoming weekend on Saturday with a 34-7 win over the Cats.
Arizona was without key members of the secondary including Gunner Maldonado and Treydan Stukes. Tacario Davis was limited throughout the day as well.
It didn’t get any easier throughout the day as left tackle Rhino Tapa’atoutai, linebackers Jacob Manu and Kamuela Ka’aihue were among Arizona players that had to leave due to injury. The health issues continue to pile up and the depth has been tested in Tucscon.
“I think some of the people that were unavailable to us put some guys out there that don’t have as much experience playing and that exposed us a little bit today,” head coach Brent Brennan said.
On the other side, Shedeur Sanders threw for 250 yards, two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also rushed for an additional score. The Buffs were missing multiple receivers on Saturday, and LaJohntay Wester helped shoulder the load with eight passes for 127 yards.
Colorado provided plenty of pressure throughout the day. Arizona faced 12 third down scenarios and converted four times with one of those being a penalty on Colorado. Eight times, the Cats faced 3rd & 8 or longer.
Colorado also sacked Noah Fifita seven times and had seven tackles for loss.
“We need to give our quarterback and our playmakers the opportunity to move the football effectively,” Brenna said. “We really have to evaluate that and think about what can we do with the men that we’re playing with and lean into their strengths and level of experience to give us a chance to play clean football.”
Fifita threw for 138 yards, the fewest yards he’s thrown for in a start in his Arizona career, a passing touchdown and an interception. Tetairoa McMillan led Arizona receivers with five catches for 38 yards.
What Arizona is facing now is a similar setting rival Arizona State faced last year, where at times the Sun Devils were down to their fourth quarterback and 10th offensive lineman. Whether it be freak circumstances or something that can be adjusted in-house, Brennan wants to examine if they can limit injuries in the future.
“Where we’re at is rare air for me,” Brennan said of the injury situation. “We have to evaluate every aspect of what we’re doing in terms of how we condition them and how we train.”
The Wildcats now sit at 3-4 and have already surpassed its loss total from last year. While there are plenty of factors at play to why Arizona has struggled over the last three games, Brennan will look inward.
“The biggest part is I just need to do a better job coaching this team,” Brennan said. “That’s where we’re at. It’s really quite that simple. As hard as that is to say, that’s the reality of the situation. I’m the head football coach. It’s my job to get us right.”
Arizona hosts West Virginia next week.
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