Wildcat Review: Homecoming Win, Football/Women's Basketball This Week

Evan Rosenfeld, University Relations - Communications
Nov. 10, 2014

Wildcat fans have much to celebrate. 

Last week, Arizona football took the win against Colorado during the UA's 100th Homecoming. This week, the team hosts Washington with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Arizona Stadium. Gates open at noon. If you are unable to attend the game, it will be broadcast live on FOX. 

More major news this week: Arizona's soccer team was selected in the field of 64 teams to play in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats' first-round matchup will be against Oklahoma State on Nov. 14 at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex in Stillwater, Okla.

Additionally, UA women's basketball begins its 2014-15 season with an exhibition game against Concordia University on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. at McKale Center. 

Arizona defeats Colorado in 100th Annual Homecoming Football Game

Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

In Arizona's homecoming football game on Saturday, the Wildcats improved their season record to 7-2 (4-2 Pac-12) after routing the Buffaloes 38-20 at Arizona Stadium. Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon completed 21 of 38 passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Solomon also ran for a career-high 117 yards in the UA's victory.  

"We're happy to get that one and I'm proud of our guys," Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez said in a press release. "Colorado is a well-coached football team that played hard. After the first play, our offense settled down and got some turnovers. Anu Solomon really competed and ran the ball well. His running was probably the difference for us offensively."

Arizona caused four forced turnovers against Colorado — the most since forcing five against USC in 2011.  

Sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright III was the key to Arizona's defense. He led all tacklers with 10 while recording a sack and two tackles for loss of yards. Sophomore running back Samajie Grant caught six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman running back Nick Wilson rushed for a game-high 153 yards on 21 carries.

Men's Basketball Kicks Off Season With Win Over Cal Poly Pomona

Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

The No. 2-ranked Wildcats trailed the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos for most of the first half. But the team quickly figured things out, making the necessary adjustments to improve their shooting and defense en route to a 67-51 exhibition victory in front of 10,000 fans Sunday evening at the recently renovated McKale Center.

Five players recorded double-digit points in a balanced effort for the UA. Junior guard Gabe York, junior center Kaleb Tarczewski and freshman forward Stanley Johnson scored 12 points each. York was was 2-for-6 from three-point range and contributed six rebounds (two of which were offensive), dished out three assists and had a steal. Tarczewski snagged six rebounds and was 2-for-3 from the free-throw line. Johnson grabbed three rebounds and had three assists and a steal in his first collegiate performance. 

Junior forward Brandon Ashley and sophomore forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 10 points each. Ashley, who was one of Arizona's most versatile players a year ago, played in his first live-action game since a foot injury in February. He subsequently picked up where he left off, shooting 4-for-6 from the field, pulling down seven rebounds and recording two steals, a block and an assist over a team-high 29 minutes. 

Arizona head coach Sean Miller said he scheduled this game knowing the team would be facing a matchup zone. He said the experience of playing against a zone will benefit the Wildcats later in the nonconference season. 

"You didn't sense that we came out as a team filled with confidence," Miller said. "I was happy with our defense. When you have 23 assists, that means you shared the ball well, (and we had) only 12 turnovers. I think we did a good job there, especially for as early as it is."

Softball Finishes Fall Season Undefeated

Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Arizona softball concluded its fall season with a 7-1 win over Scottsdale Community College on Nov. 5 at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

Sophomore pitcher Michelle Floyd received the start and did not disappoint, tossing four scoreless innings and only allowing one hit while striking out five and walking two. 

Offensive onslaughts in the third and fifth innings saw run-scoring doubles from seniors Kellie Fox and Chelsea Goodacre and a three-run home run off the bat of sophomore utility player Katiyana Mauga — her fourth of the fall. 

Overall, the Wildcats posted a record of 8-0 this fall and outscored their opponents by 112-9.

Volleyball Shows Strength and Tenacity in Bay Area Split

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Arizona volleyball lost a five-set battle, 3-2, to top-ranked Stanford in Palo Alto on Nov. 7.

The Wildcats won the second and fourth sets. Senior outside hitters Madi Kingdon and Taylor Arizobal paced the UA's offense. Kingdon compiled 25 kills and showed her defensive ability with a career-high 30 digs against the Cardinal, becoming the seventh player in program history to record 30 digs in a match. Arizobal contributed 13 kills, with eight of those coming in Arizona's second-set triumph. 

The Wildcats traveled across the bay to face against Cal, still hungry and restless for a win. Arizobal and Kingdon again dominated the offensive stat sheet. Kingdon totaled 19 kills to accompany 17 digs, while Arizobal amassed a season-high 17 kills on 25 swings. Arizobal's .600 hitting percentage stands as her career high. Senior libero Ronni Lewis and sophomore setter Penina Snuka each contributed 15 digs in helping the UA limit the Golden Bears to a .183 hitting percentage. 

Notable Mention

The women's golf team placed fourth at the Pac-12 preview at Nanea Golf Club in Kona, Hawaii, last week. Arizona's 889 score over the three-round tournament translated to 13 strokes above par. Junior Lindsey Weaver was the Wildcats' top finisher, tying for fifth place overall with a score of 218.

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