Arizona was eliminated from the postseason Saturday night at Arizona Stadium as Utah defeated the Wildcats 34-21. Here are some facts and figures that explain Arizona’s loss:
11: The Wildcats committed 11 penalties for 96 yards. Whether it was a false start, pass interference or a late hit, Arizona lacked discipline Saturday night and it hurt the Wildcats big time. Utah, on the other hand, committed only five penalties for 54 yards.
5: After throwing two interceptions on Saturday, Nick Foles has now thrown five pics in his last two games. Foles was sacked twice as he faced constant pressure from the Utes. That pressure rattled the senior quarterback leading to a handful of questionable decisions. Foles’ biggest mistake came mid-way through the fourth quarter when the Wildcats trailed by 13. On first and goal at the Utah two yard line, Foles tried to go to Gino Crump on a fade route but misplaced the ball and was intercepted, ending the Wildcats’ comeback and shot at the postseason.
0: Arizona’s red zone offense has been its Achilles heel for the last two seasons and that trend continued against the Utes. The Wildcats failed to convert on both of its red zone opportunities, while the Utes went 4-for-4 in the red zone.
2: Special teams once again killed the Wildcats as they had two punts blocked in the first half. The first blocked punt led to a 3-0 Utah lead while the Utes didn’t get any points off of the second blocked punt.
1: Arizona looked poised to get three points on the first drive of the game as place kicker John Bonano lined up for a 32-yard field goal. After a delay of game penalty the Wildcats still had a shot at a 37-yarder. But head coach Tim Kish opted to fake the field goal and give Bonano a chance to pick up the first down. The Utes sniffed the fake out perfectly and the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs.