Rich Rodriguez continues to build powerful offenses with dual-threat QBs as he’s set for a matchup with Arizona

Rich Rodriguez continues to do what he’s always done: score a lot of points with athletic quarterbacks and his read-option style of offense.

From Pat White to Denard Robinson to Khalil Tate and now Michael Hawkins Jr., Rodriguez has a track record of developing dual-threat quarterbacks.

White, who played for Rodriguez at West Virginia from 2004 to 2007, went on to set the FBS record for career rushing yards at quarterback in 2008 under head coach Bill Stewart.

In 2010, while Rodriguez coached the Wolverines, Robinson set the FBS record for single-season rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,702.

Following his stint at Michigan, Rodriguez was the head coach at Arizona from 2012 to 2017, and a successful one at that. He took the Wildcats to five bowl games in six seasons.

When asked about how he feels facing off against his former team for the first time, Rodriguez spoke fondly of his time in Tucson.

“I enjoyed my time there,” Rodriguez said. “We had some really good players and got some big ranked wins. Our daughter was the captain of the cheerleading squad, and our son was a quarterback there, so it was some good times.”

His son, Rhett, played for the Wildcats from 2017 to 2020, and he threw for 578 yards and three touchdowns during his tenure.

Current Arizona head coach Brent Brennan also spoke highly of Rodriguez ahead of their matchup.

“He loved his time in Tucson and every time I see him, we talk about it,” Brennan said. “I have a ton of respect for him.”

During his tenure at Arizona, Rodriguez continued his trend of having an elite rushing attack. Notably, in 2017, Tate set the FBS quarterback single-game rushing yards record with 327.

With Rodriguez back at West Virginia for a second stint, the Mountaineers are 3-2 and averaging 37.4 points per game after finishing 4-8 last season.

“They’re really offensively explosive,” Brennan said. “Their running back and quarterback are total studs. It’s going to be a great challenge for our defense.”

This season, Mountaineers running back Cam Cook has rushed for 652 yards and five touchdowns, while Hawkins has thrown for 836 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. He’s also rushed for 574 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Wildcats’ defense has allowed 79 rushing yards per game, while the Mountaineers’ offense averages 294 rushing yards per game.

Related

Wildcats great Tetairoa McMillan goes off on Sunday Night Football: ‘He’s special’Report: Arizona’s Tre Spivey expected to miss rest of the season with a broken footWildcats’ defense shines, as depleted Arizona blows out undefeated Cincinnati BearcatsArizona’s Ismail Mahdi, Max Harris reportedly ruled ineligible by courtUniversity of Arizona requests to extend AD Desireé Reed-FrancoisStart times announced for Arizona State, Arizona’s Week 6 games