No QB yet, but Wildcats a little closer after spring game

The Arizona Wildcats went into their spring game without a starting quarterback, and they left it the same way.

But maybe they’re a little closer to finding one.

In front of an announced crowd of 7,100 at Arizona Stadium, the offense came out ahead by a score of 57-38. Redshirt freshman Anu Solomon led UA’s passers with 74 yards and two touchdowns, while redshirt sophomore Connor Brewer, who transferred from Texas, threw for 71 yards and two scores.

For the third time in three seasons, Arizona will have a new starting signal caller.

“Today was indicative of what it has been most of the spring,” Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said Saturday of his group of quarterbacks, which also included Jesse Scroggins, Jerrard Randall, Nick Isham and Khari McGee. “It’s OK at times, uneven at times. There has been some separation now but the competition will continue on until the August camp.”

Though it may not matter much here in mid-April, it was Jesse Scroggins who got the most work with the first team offense in the game. He completed a modest 3-of-8 passes for 57 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

“Jesse Scroggins is a great quarterback,” receiver DaVonte’ Neal said. “He has a great arm and some speed. He has good vision and he takes on a leadership role very well.”

Whoever wins the job, they will have a stable of talented receivers to throw to. Along with Neal, who transferred from Notre Dame, there is Cayleb Jones, formerly of Texas, and Austin Hill, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury.

Add in returners Samajie Grant, Nate Phillips, Johnny Jackson and Trey Griffey, and there is no shortage of playmakers to get the ball to.

Saturday, Neal caught one pass, which he took 44 yards for a touchdown, while Jones hauled in a pair of passes for 36 yards and a score. Jackson and Griffey also made plays.

“DaVonte’ gives us some things we can do not only in the slot, but in the return game and maybe even the backfield,” Rodriguez said. “He’s such a competitive guy. He loves the game and loves to compete.”

Arizona’s season opener is not until Aug. 29 against UNLV, so there is still plenty of time left between now and when the score will really matter.

Saturday’s spring game was just another step on the way to that night.

“It was a good building block to work towards the season,” Hill said of the spring game. “We have one more building block in camp to get timing down with the quarterbacks before getting into the season.”

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