Khalil Tate tosses first career 400-yard game in Arizona’s win over Colorado
Oct 5, 2019, 6:52 PM | Updated: 10:01 pm
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate throws a pass in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Boulder, Colo. Arizona won 35-30. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
After missing play last week due to injury, Arizona Wildcats senior quarterback Khalil Tate came back in a big way against the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday.
The Wildcats QB went to work, setting a career high in passing yards (404), while throwing three touchdowns and connecting with 11 receivers in the 35-30 win. He also threw an interception.
“Whenever I have a career high, I don’t know,” Tate told reporters following the win. “I think whenever we win a game it’s all about the team. I’m excited for the guys, excited for how much work we put in.”
An opening-drive field goal put the Buffaloes up 3-0, putting the Wildcats down early.
After consecutive punts by each side, the Wildcats started to dig in. Highlighted by a 49-yard completion to junior wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham, the Wildcats marched down the field, going 80 yards on just nine plays. Tate capped off the late first-quarter drive with a seven-yard TD strike to sophomore WR Stanley Berryhill.
TATE TO BERRYHILL FOR 6!
Arizona 7
Colorado 3#BearDown pic.twitter.com/PNIWorkAxv
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 5, 2019
While their first scoring drive took more than three minutes off the clock, the Wildcats’ second score of the day came in no time.
Following a one-play, 38-yard touchdown drive from Colorado, Tate responded with one of his own, connecting with senior WR Cedric Peterson for the 75-yard score.
SEE! YOU! LATER!
Tate ➡️ Peterson for the TOUCHDOWN!#BuildingTheA 🅰️ | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/sayFR5NbMG
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 5, 2019
Gone.
Tate’s aerial attack didn’t stop there, however, as the QB continued to move the chains in second half.
Down 20-14 to open up the third quarter, Tate wasted little time on finding pay dirt.
Using six plays to move the ball 65 yards, Tate helped the Wildcats regain the lead with a 33-yard score to junior WR Brian Casteel.
Tate ➡️ Casteel, wide open for the TOUCHDOWN!#BuildingTheA 🅰️ | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/ED738PrKC2
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 5, 2019
And when he wasn’t finding the end zone, Tate was still dropping dimes.
In the final two scoring drives of the game for Arizona, Tate completed 13 of his 15 passes to keep the possessions alive, setting up sophomore running back Nathan Tilford for two late touchdowns.
Tate was sharp in the final two quarters of play, compiling 229 yards and a score on 23 of 27 passing.
The QB has been an absolute game changer against Colorado during his tenure at Arizona.
Following Saturday’s win, Tate’s 3-0 against the Buffaloes, throwing for 908 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions on 60 of 76 passing (78.9%), while adding another 365 yards and four scores on the ground.
“It felt good,” Tate said when asked about being back in Boulder. “Colorado holds a special place in my heart. … It’s always great playing against them, they give us great competition, they give us a great look.”
The victory also catapults the Wildcats (4-1; 2-0) into sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 South.
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