Arizona looks to end skid vs. reeling UCF

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th October, 08:32 2024

Oct 26, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates touchdown during the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona will travel to Orlando, Fla., to face UCF on Saturday afternoon in a game featuring two teams that have made coaching and play-calling changes this season.

The Knights (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) dropped their fifth straight decision with a 37-24 setback to then-No. 11 BYU on Saturday. Two days later, head coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof and relinquished play-calling duties on offense, giving that responsibility to offensive coordinator Tim Harris.

Addison Williams, who has coached primarily defensive backs, replaced Roof as the defensive coordinator.

"These decisions were 100 percent my decision," Malzahn said during his weekly news conference. "I feel it gives the Knights the best chance to snap out of the losing skid."

Arizona first-year coach Brent Brennan earlier this season switched play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Dino Babers to tight ends coach and passing-game coordinator Matt Adkins.

The Wildcats (3-5, 1-4) saw their losing streak reach four games with a 31-26 setback to West Virginia on Saturday.

Arizona has not won since Sept. 28, when it beat Utah 23-10 in Salt Lake City. The Utes were ranked 10th at the time.

UCF bolted to a 3-0 start with a 35-34 victory over TCU on Sept. 14. It's been downhill ever since for the Knights.

"I would think pieces of what they've done schematically are still going to be part of them," Brennan said Monday of UCF's coaching moves. "It is a challenge because it's something different than what you're seeing on the film."

UCF is 19th in the country in total offense, averaging 454.8 yards per game. The running game is third in the nation, averaging 267.9 yards per game.

RJ Harvey has rushed for 1,017 yards on 149 carries.

UCF's defense particularly has struggled stopping teams on third and fourth down. Opponents are converting 47.5 percent of third-down plays and 77.8 percent of fourth-down opportunities.

Arizona's defense is riddled with injuries with captains Jacob Manu, Treydan Stukes and Gunner Maldonado out with season-ending leg injuries.

The offense features the connection of quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

McMillan is third in the nation in average receiving yards per game at 122.8.

--Field Level Media