Arizona Wildcats suffered a disappointing 31-7 loss to Kansas State, highlighted by numerous mistakes and missed opportunities. Pro Football Focus rated the Wildcats' performance poorly, with an overall grade of 68.5, marking their worst score this season and since a previous loss to Washington. Offensively, Arizona showed slight improvement with a grade of 74.3, but the defense faltered, earning a 57.2 grade, particularly impacted by 17 missed tackles and a tackling grade of 31.7. The game revealed significant defensive vulnerabilities and an urgent need for improvement as the season progresses.

By the Numbers
  • Arizona's overall grade of 68.5 is its lowest since a 62.9 score against Washington last season.
  • 17 missed tackles contributed to a tackling grade of 31.7, the team's lowest since 29.8 against Grambling State in 2016.
Yes, But

While the Wildcats' offensive grade improved from the previous week, the drastic drop in defense raises questions about their ability to recover. Coaches may point to this game as an outlier, yet repeated patterns could signal deeper issues that need addressing.

State of Play
  • Arizona's performance trend shows a stark contrast to their previous 9-game win streak where they averaged a grade of 84.2.
  • The Wildcats' tackling struggles have become a persistent problem that the coaching staff must rectify moving forward.
What's Next

Arizona will need to reassess their defensive strategies and player performance in practice leading up to their next game to avoid another disappointing outcome. Adjustments to tackle drills and overall defense execution will be critical.

Bottom Line

The Wildcats face an uphill battle if they want to remain competitive this season; improvement is crucial, particularly on defense. Addressing tackling weaknesses and enhancing overall discipline will be vital for turning the season around.