Every week, Arizona Daily Wildcat football beat reporters Zack Rosenblatt, Cameron Moon and Kyle Johnson will vote on the top 10 players on Arizona’s roster. The rankings will take into account the full-season performance, with fluctuations based on week-to-week statistics.
1. Matt Scott, quarterback
Last week: 30-for-36, 288 yards, 3 touchdowns, 9 carries, 61 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Season totals: 995 yards, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, 71.5% completions, 190 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns
Business as usual for Scott against South Carolina State. At one point, he even completed 13 straight passes before making way for backup B.J. Denker in the 56-0 blowout.
2. Ka’Deem Carey, running back
Last week: 13 carries, 71 yards, 1 touchdown
Season totals: 344 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns, 6 receptions, 47 yards, 1 touchdown
In just one half of action, Carey was spectacular in gaining more than five yards per carry against the Bulldogs. The Wildcats need a big game from him against Oregon if they’re going to win.
3. Jake Fischer, linebacker
Last week: 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Season totals: 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles
Fischer finally had some much needed rest after playing every defensive snap of the first two weeks. Arizona needs him to be well-rested, as he’ll be busy chasing down Ducks’ backs De’Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner on Saturday.
4. Austin Hill, receiver
Last week: 5 receptions, 56 yards
Season totals: 17 receptions, 319 yards, 1 touchdown
He was named to the Biletkinoff Award Watch List, which goes to the best receiver in the nation at the end of each season. ‘Nuff said.
5 (tie). Jonathan McKnight, cornerback
Last week: 2 tackles, 1 interception
Season totals: 9 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 2 pass deflections
McKnight recorded an interception for the second straight game, although the one against South Carolina State had less of an impact than the one against Oklahoma State.
5 (tie). Jared Tevis, safety
Last week: 5 tackles
Season totals: 26 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass deflections
Tevis, like Fischer, had his first rest of the season against SCSU. Oregon will be the first true test as to whether Tevis is as good of a player as he’s shown thus far.
7. Kyle Quinn, center
Season totals: 3 games played
Holes have been opening up in the middle all season long for running back Ka’Deem Carey, and when Quinn was in the game on Saturday that was the case again.
8. Marquis Flowers, linebacker
Last week: 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Season totals: 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections
Flowers continues to act as the Wildcats best pass rusher, which is strange coming from a former safety. Still, so far so good for the converted defensive back.
9. Dan Buckner, receiver
Last week: 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 touchdown
Season totals: 22 receptions, 261 yards, 1 touchdown
Buckner put his first points on the board against the Bulldogs, but he has been the Wildcats’ most consistent performer outside of Hill at receiver and Scott often looks his way.
10. John Bonano, kicker
Last week: 0-for-1 field goals, 8-of-8 PAT
Season totals: 4-for-7 field goals, 17/17 PAT, long of 46 yards
He didn’t really get much action on Saturday, although he did miss another field goal from within 30 yards. His consistency on extra points, though, is much appreciated and he’s been solid on kickoffs.
*Honorable mentions: linebacker Sir Thomas Jackson, guard Trace Biskin, safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant
