Football Notebook: Berryhill emerges as a star, Pandy leads the defense and Plummer takes over

Ryan Wohl

The Arizona football team’s defense lines up against San Diego State during the Wildcats’ home opener game on Sept. 11. The Wildcats’ defense gave up 271 rushing yards against the Aztecs in Saturday’s loss. 

Ryan Wohl

Everything hasn’t gone as planned throughout Jedd Fisch’s first two games as head coach of the Arizona football team, but the future could still look bright as stars emerge on both sides of the ball.

A positive on offense

Stanley Berryhill III, throughout the Wildcats’ first two games, averaged 84.5 yards per game, totaling 17 catches and a 169 yards touchdown. When he caught 12 balls in their opening game against BYU, it was the most catches by a wide receiver in the Pac-12 and second-most in the country.

Berryhill also showed his versatility, especially in the team’s first game in Tucson, by finishing second in the team’s rushing attack with 26 yards, which brings his total all-purpose yards for the game to 97.

Berryhill is on track to surpass his total receiving yards in 2020 during the shortened five-game season in just three games this year.

Being a captain on the team and earning the team’s No. 1 jersey has allowed Berryhill to step up and be a leader on this team throughout hard times.

It’s personal for Pandy

Anthony Pandy was named a captain on this year’s Wildcat team and continues to prove every game why he is one of the most underrated defensive players in the Pac-12.

Pandy totaled 11 tackles in Saturday’s loss to San Diego State University in their home opener, which tied his career-high for tackles in one game.

Pandy leads Arizona with 19 tackles through two games and is fifth in tackles in the Pac-12 throughout week two.

In his last seven games played, Pandy has nearly combined for 50 tackles averaging seven per game within that period.

After numerous players have transferred over the last few months, Pandy opted to return to Arizona for his fifth season to finish his college career where it started in 2017.

RELATED: Fisch has named Will Plummer the new starting quaterback

There’s a new leader under center

Will Plummer was named the new starting quarterback by Fisch on Monday, Sept. 13, after a late-game comeback attempt.

Plummer threw for 109 yards along with completing his first colligate touchdown pass to Tayvian Cunningham.

When entering the game in the third quarter, he brought a newfound energy and moxie that this struggling offense needed.

Entering the 2021 season, Plummer previously played in three games a season ago after former starting quarterback Grant Gunnell suffered an injury.

Plummer finished the season with 388 yards along with three interceptions while rushing for 95 yards. The talent and the energy were clear, but he needed a better support system to show the world what he can do best.

Less than a year later after waiting his turn, Plummer has the opportunity to be the Wildcats’ starting quarterback and lead this team to their first victory in 15 games.

The Arizona Wildcats welcome the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks tomorrow on Sept. 18, at 7:00 p.m. MST in Tucson at Arizona Stadium.


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