Arizona (2-1) visits Washington State (1-2) Saturday with a struggling ground game and a defense facing WSU's run attack. The Wildcats average 123.3 rushing yards per game, last in the Big 12; the Cougars' three runners have 530 yards on 79 non-sack carries.
Arizona opened with 189 rushing yards and three touchdowns against NAU, then totaled 181 rushing yards over its next two games, including 84 against Northern Illinois. Offensive coordinator Seth Doege said NIU loaded the box, making passes to open receivers preferable, and said he needs to improve the run calls. Arizona also gave up multiple big runs to NIU early, and BYU took control in the second half by staying on the ground.
WSU's leading rushers are quarterback Caden Pinnick, Kirby Vorhees and Maxwell Woods; Vorhees and Woods each topped 100 yards against Duquesne, while Pinnick and Vorhees each have two rushing touchdowns. Arizona has allowed 11 third-down conversions when opponents needed at least seven yards. Through three games, it has forced one turnover and given the ball away five times, losing the turnover battle each game. Safety Daylen Austin is out for the season; defensive linemen Mays Pese and Zac Siulepa, linebacker Chase Kennedy and cornerback Dwight Bootle II, held out against NIU, could return.
