With Anu Solomon’s status unknown for Saturday’s game at Stanford, the Wildcats should turn to current backup quarterback Jerrard Randall to run the offense. Literally.

When Arizona was in the midst of getting blown out last Saturday to UCLA, things got worse when Solomon left the game with an injury. By that point in the game the Wildcats were lethargic and beat down, both mentally and physically.

On Randall’s first play of the game, he took the ball to the house on a 39-yard touchdown run. Everyone at Arizona Stadium knew it was coming, and Randall undoubtedly brought life back into the crowd.

Randall does struggle a bit when he throws, but he’s incredibly tough to tackle when he runs. He is a big play threat waiting to happen every play, and Arizona will keep Stanford on its toes with Randall behind center.

Arizona needs life when it travels to Stanford. The amount of injuries this team has suffered this season is unusual and tough to deal with. Each injury takes a toll on the team. Without Solomon, coming back from the UCLA loss will be tough.

A player like Randall will keep the Wildcats motivated. A win at Stanford will put Arizona right back into the top-25 mix. If they win, the team’s confidence will climb once again, and Randall is the one to take them there.

It’s a given that if Solomon doesn’t play, then Randall will fill the void as the starting quarterback as the Wildcats take off for their first conference road game in Palo Alto. 

— Kyle Hansen

VS

The almighty “war ginger” could receive the look, but the best option is Brandon Dawkins for Solomon’s replacement. The redshirt freshman fought issues last season and redshirted his true freshman season, but Dawkins is creating buzz around the team especially after his performance against NAU. Dawkins has one touchdown of the season, running for 43 yards against the Lumberjacks.

 If Rich Rodriguez has the desire to use the offense the same way Solomon ran it, then the closest player to Solomon is Dawkins. He is 6 feet 3 inches, and just like Solomon, he doesn’t have the breaking speed that Randall has, but he is a crafty yet conservative runner who isn’t afraid to pick apart defenses with his arm.

Arizona will rely on its run game against Stanford with Nick Wilson and Randall. But if Randall goes down, Arizona can utilize the passing attack with Dawkins’ touch.

Sure, Werlinger may be the team favorite with his iconic nickname, but at this point, Arizona is willing to do just about anything to get the win. Arizona is injury-plagued, and if Saturday’s game takes a turn for the worse, then Dawkins will be the only weapon to revive Arizona’s season.

Plus he’s a journalism major; writers always have to support their fellow athletic writers.

— Justin Spears

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