TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona’s quarterback controversy has reached a surprising conclusion with head coach Kevin Sumlin stating that both senior Khalil Tate and freshman Grant Gunnell will share playing time moving forward. Tate is likely to remain the starter for the Wildcats, who carry a three-game losing streak into Saturday’s matchup against visiting Oregon State.
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Arizona -5.5
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Arizona ranks 12th in the Pac-12 in points allowed and fired both defensive coordinator Marcel Yates and linebackers coach John Rushing following last week’s 41-31 loss to Stanford. The Wildcats have allowed an average of 44 points in losses to Washington, USC and Stanford, but the team ranks second in the conference in total offense at 492 yards per game with both Tate and Gunnell impressing in recent weeks. “We feel comfortable with both those guys,” Sumlin told reporters. “Our team feels comfortable with both of them. So that’s going to continue, and I kind of like it. I kind of like the competition. They’re two different guys. I think that also creates some issues for people to prepare.” The Wildcats need to be careful not to underestimate Oregon State, which bounced back from a 52-7 loss to Utah by edging California 21-17 in Berkeley last week.
ABOUT OREGON STATE (3-4, 2-2 Pac-12)
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. had three sacks and four tackles for losses while fellow linebacker Riley Sharp added three sacks in the win over Cal as the Beavers won back-to-back road games for the first time since 2013. Rashed Jr. tops the Pac-12 with nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss to lead the improving defense, which recorded 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks against the Bears. The inconsistent offense has been led by quarterback Jake Luton (16 touchdowns and one interception) and running back Artavis Pierce, who averages six yards per carry.
ABOUT ARIZONA (4-4, 2-3)
The Wildcats are averaging 202 rushing yards and turned in another strong performance against Stanford as J.J. Taylor rushed for 107 yards while Tate ran for 103 yards and one touchdown on nine carries. New defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil will look to spark a defense that ranks 118th nationally in points allowed (35 points per game) and 119th in yards allowed (469.9). Cecil will lean heavily on linebackers Colin Schooler and Tony Fields II, who rank among the leading tacklers in the conference and have played well in previous meetings against the Beavers.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Arizona has won the last two meetings against the Beavers and holds a 24-15-1 lead in the series.
2. Oregon State has committed just two turnovers this season.
3. Arizona has had 18 plays go for 40 or more yards this season, which ranks tied for third in the country.
PREDICTION: Arizona 34, Oregon State 24