ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez on QB Anu Solomon: ‘He’s reacting even quicker now’

Oct 28, 2014, 3:29 AM | Updated: 3:29 am

Follow @AZSports...

LISTEN: Rich Rodriguez, U of A Football Head Coach

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the Pac-12, head coach Rich Rodriguez and his Arizona Wildcats sit with a 6-1 record and are tied for second place in the South division.

The team is led by freshman quarterback, Anu Solomon, who is turning out to be one of the top passers in the nation.

“Well I just think it’s the experience,” Rodriguez told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday. “I think every game he learns a little bit more.

“We’re seeing some different coverages and different ways people are defending us. He’s always done a pretty good job seeing the field, but he’s reacting even quicker now than he was a couple of weeks ago. I think he’s going to keep getting better.”

Solomon has completed 200 of 316 passes on the season, a 63.3 percent completion rate. He has 2,430 passing yards, putting him 12th in the country. The freshman has also thrown 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Rodriguez said Solomon was one of the biggest reasons why the Wildcats were so good on third downs in their 59-37 win over Washington State last Saturday.

“Anu was really sharp: He was seeing the field. I was pretty proud of the way they responded on the road,” the coach said.

Against the Cougars, Solomon threw for 294 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Saturday was his fourth game without a pick this season, and his second five-touchdown performance.

With Solomon at the helm, the Wildcats rank eighth in the country for passing yards, and 13th in points scored.

Arizona faces its next big test Saturday in a road game against UCLA.

Arizona Football

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates with Noah Fifita #11 after ca...

Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Rittenberg: Arizona Wildcats’ QB room ranks 10th in nation

Led by the final Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Noah Fifita, the Arizona Wildcats' quarterback room was ranked 10th in the nation.

12 days ago

Grand Canyon forward Duke Brennan...

Vincent DeAngelis

Duke Brennan uses inspiration from family and high motor to propel GCU basketball

Grand Canyon's Duke Brennan has strong Arizona connections and comes from a family of athletes in Colt and Brent Brennan.

20 days ago

Jordan Morgan...

Arizona Sports

Arizona OL, potential 1st-round pick Jordan Morgan shows off speed at NFL Draft Combine

Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan had the opportunity to show off his speed and athleticism at the NFL Combine on Sunday.

25 days ago

Jacob Cowing...

Arizona Sports

Arizona’s Jacob Cowing shows off elite speed at NFL Scouting Combine

NFL Draft prospect Jacob Cowing from Arizona put up one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among wide receivers at the combine.

26 days ago

An empty podium is seen at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by...

David Veenstra

What to watch for: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine schedule, preview and more

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis. Here's a complete guide for college and professional fans across Arizona.

1 month ago

Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 prepares for a game at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Tucson...

Tom Kuebel

Former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura declares for NFL Draft

Jayden de Laura declared for the NFL Draft and will forego his fifth season of college football eligibility.

1 month ago

Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez on QB Anu Solomon: ‘He’s reacting even quicker now’