ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Sumlin, Arizona Wildcats continue their battle for bowl eligibility

Nov 14, 2018, 12:46 PM | Updated: 1:16 pm

FILE - In this July 25, 2018, file photo, Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin speaks at the Pac-12 Conf...

FILE - In this July 25, 2018, file photo, Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin speaks at the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day in Los Angeles. Arizona was supposed to make a seamless transition to new coach Kevin Sumlin, possibly contend for a Pac-12 South title. Through two games, the Wildcats have done little but struggle under their first-year coach. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Now in third place and tied with their rival Arizona State with a 4-3 record in conference play, the Arizona Wildcats remain focused on the task at hand: taking care of No. 8 Washington State in Pullman.

In his first full season in Tucson, head coach Kevin Sumlin refuses to get caught up in the narratives surrounding his program. After a rocky start to the season, Arizona has found a rhythm by claiming victories in back-to-back weeks against Colorado and Oregon.

With the sudden resurgence, Arizona has a chance to snatch away the division from No. 19 Utah by winning the last two games of the season. To keep their bowl eligibility alive and put the nation on notice, the Wildcats need to steal a victory on Saturday night.

“Any time you make yourself eligible for postseason play, that’s a step in year one,” Sumlin said during his weekly Pac-12 teleconference. “Five weeks ago, people weren’t talking about us at all or even how poor we were playing. These guys do better on focusing on the opponent at hand and playing for four quarters and executing for four quarters.”

Sumlin and the Wildcats are tasked with contesting a scorching hot Washington State team that’s won six games in a row. Senior quarterback Gardner Minshew is building a case for this year’s Heisman trophy with 3,852 yards and 29 touchdowns through 10 games.

To sneak into bowl eligibility and make a statement about the trajectory of the program, Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate will be forced to rise to the occasion and counter Minshew by doubling down on his performance against Colorado.

Tate connected on 17-of-22 passes for a season-high 350 passing yards with a touchdown to interception rate of 5-to-1. In what was his best all-around game of the season, Tate posted a season-best raw quarterback rating of 97.2.

“Nothing really happens without going to Pullman and playing very very well this week,” Sumlin said.

This is a tall task, considering the Cougars are 5-0 at the Martin Stadium this season.

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.

2 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.

10 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.

15 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.

16 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.

21 days 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.

25 days ago

Sumlin, Arizona Wildcats continue their battle for bowl eligibility