Arizona Wildcats QB Khalil Tate, RB JJ Taylor ruled out against UCLA
Sep 28, 2019, 6:24 PM | Updated: 6:40 pm
Khalil Tate (left). (AP Photo/Ralph Freso). J.J. Taylor (right). (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate and running back J.J. Taylor have been ruled out for Saturday night’s game against the UCLA Bruins, according to WildcatAuthority.com.
Tate has been nursing an injury that he suffered in Arizona’s last game two weeks ago, a 28-14 win over Texas Tech.
True freshman Grant Gunnell will take over duties under center and make his first career start.
Gunnell saw action earlier this season against Northern Arizona, going 9-of-11 for 151 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 65-41 win.
Taylor also suffered his injury against Texas Tech.
The Wildcats will look to Gary Brightwell to take over the majority of the rushing duties, with Michael Wiley, Nathan Tilford and Bam Smith also in the mix.
Brightwell had 141 yards on the ground against NAU and added 85 more along with two touchdowns against Texas Tech.
The absence of the running back and the dual-threat quarterback is a big blow for the Wildcats, who are fifth in the country in rushing yards per game (307.7), which also leads the Pac-12.
Arizona is also third in the country in total offense with its average of 586 yards per game.
