Arizona wide receiver Malachi Riley suffered a non-contact injury during the fourth quarter of a 31-7 loss to Kansas State. The injury occurred while attempting to make a catch, forcing him to be helped off the field without any recorded receptions. This setback adds to the struggles of Arizona's receiving depth, as Riley was seen as a key player behind Tetairoa McMillan, who dominated the game with 11 catches for 138 yards. Speculation suggests Riley may need an MRI to assess the injury’s severity, and Arizona must bolster their receiving corps during the upcoming bye week.

By the Numbers
  • Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan had 11 receptions for 138 yards on 14 targets against Kansas State.
  • Malachi Riley previously recorded four receptions for 90 yards as a freshman.
Yes, But

The decision by head coach Brent Brennan to call timeouts late in the game to attempt a late score has faced scrutiny, as it did not impact the game's outcome but may have affected team morale.

State of Play
  • Arizona wide receivers are struggling with injuries, including Riley and Murphy.
  • Montana Lemonious-Craig is emerging as a reliable second option, with six receptions for 75 yards against Kansas State.
What's Next

Arizona will need to assess the extent of Riley's injury during their bye week, focusing on developing additional wide receivers before their next game against the number 12 ranked Utah team on September 21.

Bottom Line

The growing injury concerns among Arizona’s wide receivers put additional pressure on the team to adapt quickly, highlighting the urgent need for depth and alternative options before facing tougher opponents.