Avery Johnson, Kansas State's quarterback, had a standout performance against Arizona, rushing for 110 yards on 17 carries and passing for 156 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He becomes the second quarterback this season to rush for over 100 yards against Arizona, who currently ranks 102nd nationally by allowing an average of 172.67 rushing yards per game. New Mexico's Devon Dampier also excelled against Arizona earlier this season before they suffered a 61-39 defeat. Both players have significantly contributed to a combined total of 240 rushing yards for their teams this season, indicating Arizona's struggle to contain dual-threat QBs. Arizona football's defense is facing urgent challenges, especially with Utah's Cameron Rising on the upcoming schedule.

By the Numbers
  • Avery Johnson: 17 carries, 110 rushing yards, 156 passing yards, 2 TDs.
  • New Mexico's Devon Dampier: 15 carries, 130 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
  • Arizona ranks 102nd nationally, allowing 172.67 rushing yards per game.
  • Combined rushing yards by Dampier and Johnson: 240 out of 518 total yards this season (46.33%).
Yes, But

While both Johnson and Dampier found success against Arizona, the Wildcats also faced a New Mexico team that struggled to contain their own defense, losing significantly. The persistence of dual-threat quarterbacks may uniquely challenge Arizona, particularly given their inability to adjust against dynamic playmakers.

State of Play
  • Arizona's defense has been unable to effectively stop dual-threat quarterbacks, contributing to a poor average for rushing yards allowed.
  • The Wildcats face upcoming opponents with top dual-threat quarterbacks, increasing the urgency for defensive adjustments.
What's Next

As they enter their bye week, Arizona needs to prioritize defensive strategies to contain dual-threat quarterbacks, notably preparing for Cameron Rising's return. The pressure is on to improve their defensive performance to avoid further losses in the remainder of the season.

Bottom Line

If Arizona does not address its defensive vulnerabilities against mobile quarterbacks, they risk significant challenges in upcoming games, potentially derailing their season. The combination of athletic QBs across their schedule could spell trouble if adjustments are not made.