Arizona football loses Scooby Wright in ugly win against UTSA

Sep 3, 2015, 10:50 PM | Updated: 11:37 pm

TUCSON, Ariz. — Anu Solomon threw four touchdown passes to help No. 22 Arizona beat UTSA 42-32 Thursday night, but the Wildcats suffered a big blow when All-America linebacker Scooby Wright went out early with a left knee injury.

Arizona sputtered on offense most of the night and allowed UTSA, a team returning two offensive starters, to rack up 525 total yards.

Those areas can be fixed. Losing Wright could hurt a lot worse.

The junior, who swept the major defensive player of the year awards last season, went down in the first quarter and spent the second half in street clothes, walking with a cane.

Arizona scored two defensive touchdowns, but had numerous breakdowns, even before Wright went down.

UTSA’s Blake Bogenschutz had 332 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-43 passing after throwing an interception for a touchdown on the game’s first pass.

Solomon threw for 229 yards on 22-of-26 passing, and Nick Wilson ran for 97 yards.

The Roadrunners have given Arizona a bit of trouble over the past couple of seasons, playing two close games.

This year, the Wildcats have most of their skill players back on offense and UTSA returned six starters overall, fewest in the FBS.

No surprise then that the Roadrunners got off to a shaky start.

Bogenschutz had his first pass intercepted by Anthony Lopez and returned for 23 yards for a touchdown. UTSA’s Brett Winnegan took the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown, but that was called back for a block in the back.

The Roadrunners also had a 17-play drive lead to no points when Danny Portillo missed a 33-yard field goal and were behind 14-0 after Solomon hit David Richards on a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Yet they kept churning out yards, particularly after Wright went out.

He went down in the first quarter, tried to return the next series, but lasted one play before heading to the bench to wrap ice around his knee.

Bogenschutz set up Portillo for a 19-yard field goal, then threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to David Morgan II.

Even after Solomon ducked and dodged his way through UTSA’s defense to set up a 21-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Jackson, the Roadrunners still fought back. Portillo hit a 33-yard field goal and Bogenschutz followed with a 2-yard touchdown run just before halftime, pulling UTSA to 21-20. UTSA had a 328-202 advantage in total yards in the first half.

The Wildcats got off to a quick start in the second half, going up 35-20 after Solomon hit Nate Phillips on a 4-yard touchdown pass and Jamar Allah scooped up Aaron Grubb’s fumble for a 22-yard touchdown return.

Bogenschutz hit Aron Taylor on a 32-yard touchdown pass, but Solomon found Cayleb Jones for a 4-yard score to push the lead to 42-26.

Arizona safety Jamar Allah (7) celebrates with Anthony Lopez (28) and Haden Gregory after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA running back Jalen Rhodes (28) scores a touchdown against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha (21) and Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) sits on the bench after hurting his knee against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA tight end David Morgan II (82) stiff arms Arizona safety Will Parks during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III limps off the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones (1) breaks the tavkle on UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon throws down field against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz (4) throws down field against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones draws the interference penalty on UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver David Richards (4) celebrates with Cayman Bundage after scoring a touchdown against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA's Jarveon Williams (2) runs for a first down against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona fans cheer before an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon passes before an NCAA college football game against the UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA head coach Larry Coker, left, and Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez talk before an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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