#10 Arizona Wildcats fall to USC, still remains in driver seat

The undefeated run by the Arizona Wildcats has officially come to end. The #10 ranked Wildcats were playing in front of a sold out Arizona Stadium and looked to take command of the Pac-12 South. Arizona was tested all night long against a bigger, more physical USC team, that ultimately outplayed the Wildcats by a final score of 28-26. In the latest AP Poll, Arizona fell to #16, meanwhile USC climbs back in at #22.

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Missed opportunities and unforced errors ultimately doomed the Arizona Wildcats. After storming back in the 4th quarter, Arizona failed to convert a two-point conversion to tie the game. Seconds later, Arizona recovers an onside kick, but a missed field goal by Casey Skowron sunk the hearts of Wildcats everywhere.

With no Nick Wilson, it was up to redshirt senior Terris Jones-Grigsby to carry the load. Jones-Grigsby struggled early including a fumble inside the ten yard line with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. After Jones-Grigsby suffered an injury, Jared Baker took over the ball carrying duties accounting for three total touchdowns (2 rushing).

Anu Solomon continues to get better with every snap. The freshman quarterback had a few too many errant throws and scrambles leading to a wasted downs but there’s not much you can do when 6-5 300lb All-American defensive end Leonard Williams is chasing you.

The big surprise was the production of Davonté Neal, who had 7 receptions for 65 yards and a huge punt return in the first quarter. Plagued with injuries all throughout this season, he had totaled 7 receptions for 70 yards prior to last night. The emergence of David Richards was also a surprise, as the 6-4 receiver snagged 7 receptions for 61 yards.

Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) walks off of the field after the Southern California Trojans won at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans won 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Trojans quaterback Cody Kessler only finished with 185 yards ( 20 for 30 passing) but he was able to sit comfortably in the pocket and find an open man. Probably because the defensive line was being dominated by USC’s offensive line, which is going to happen when you’re forced to play walk-ons and converted tight ends and linebackers on the line.

Despite a weak presence on the defensive line and inconsistent secondary play, the Arizona Wildcats had been able to stop the run consistently this season. But Javorius Allen changed that last night, finishing with just over 200 yards on 26 carries, totaling 3 touchdowns.

There were plenty of missed opportunities for the Arizona Wildcats offense, which left plenty of points on the field. But a lot of “fans” want to place the blame on kicker Casey Skowron after missing a career long 48 yard field in the first quarter, a blocked kick to end the 1st half and the game winning 35-yard field goal. But he’s the one that kicked the onside kick to give the offense one final chance. Skowron is also the one who accounted for more than half of Arizona’s points vs UTSA and kicked another successful onside kick against California to set up the game winning Hail Mary. So keep your head up, Casey Skowron.

The Arizona Wildcats get some much needed rest this week as they get a bye week to prepare their trip to Pullman, Washington.

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Heartbreaker ends the undefeated streak, Arizona Wildcats fall to #16 in AP Poll

By Gabe Encinas | Oct 12, 2014