With more injuries at QB, Rich Rodriguez says freshman QB Tate is ‘the guy’ right now

Oct 10, 2016, 9:57 AM | Updated: 12:35 pm

(AP Photos)...

(AP Photos)

(AP Photos)

LISTEN: Rich Rodriguez, UA football head coach

In 2014, Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez had to believe he was going to avoid quarterback controversies for the foreseeable future.

Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon brought Arizona a 10-4 record, throwing for 3,793 yards, 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Two seasons later, Solomon’s sophomore and junior seasons have been injury-riddled, leading to three different quarterbacks spending time under center for Rodriguez besides Solomon.

In 2016, Solomon has thrown only 30 passes, all in the opening game of the season in an 18-16 loss to BYU.

Over a month later, Arizona is now 2-4, dealing with more injury issues after Solomon’s backup Brandon Dawkins exited the 36-23 loss to Utah on Saturday.

Rodriguez wasn’t ready to commit to a starter when asked by Doug & Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday, but Dawkins was replaced by the 17-year-old true freshman Khalil Tate, who Rodriguez called “the guy” right now at quarterback.

“I don’t know, obviously, Solomon’s been out, Dawkins is out, was out that game, so now we turn to the young guy, the 17-year-old true freshman, and right now he’s the guy,”  Rodriguez said.

Dawkins’ injury had a big impact on the game according to Rodriguez.

“We certainly got banged up a little bit too and when we lost our quarterback (Brandon Dawkins), again, in the second half,” Rodriguez said. “That limits a little bit offensively what you are going to do.”

The sophomore Dawkins is much more adept running with the ball and making plays. On the season, he has nearly as many completions (69) as he does rushing attempts (63). He is currently the team’s leading passer (941 yards) and runner (484 yards).

Dawkins threw two interceptions in the loss to Utah, and Rodriguez noted he’s learning as he goes.

“He’s really competing well, he’s making some plays, but he’s making, I guess, some learning mistakes as well,” Rodriguez said. “He’s not as sharp at times as we want him to be, but we ask a lot of our guys.”

Rodriguez said the threat on the ground is the difference between Dawkins and Solomon when looking at a gameplan.

“How they will execute the plays is a little bit different,” Rodriguez said. “Dawkins is a competitive runner, Anu will run to throw, Dawkins will run to throw a little bit, but he’ll take off too and he has the ability to outrun some guys.”

Like Dawkins, Tate has had a similar look running the ball statistically, throwing only 17 passes in his debut season thus far while running the ball 25 times.

Rodriguez feels positive on the long-term potential at quarterback, but it was only two years ago when the same could have been said.

“Once we get everything cleaned up and (Dawkins) continues to get experience, as the same with Khalil Tate, we’re gonna be in a good spot there,” Rodriguez said.

Arizona is on pace for Rodriguez’s worst season in Tucson.

“I feel real good about the future, it’s just painful right now.”

Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez, left, talks with Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, right, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)p Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) throws a touchdown pass on the first play of the night from scrimmage, to wide receiver Shun Brown (6) during an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Arizona wide receiver Shun Brown (6) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass on the first play from scrimmage, during an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Arizona wide receiver Shun Brown (6) runs for a touchdown on a pass reception against Utah during an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah wide receiver Raelon Singleton (11) is tackled by Arizona cornerback Dane Cruikshank during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah wide receiver Demari Simpkins (17) catches a pass as Arizona lineman Justin Belknap (86) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah quarterback Troy Williams (3) throws a pass against Arizona during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez questions a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) runs out of the tackle of Utah defensive back Chase Hansen (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah wide receiver Tyrone Smith (21) catches a touchdown pass next to Arizona cornerback Jace Whittaker (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah running back Armand Shyne (23) carries against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) is driven out of bounds by Utah defensive back Chase Hansen (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini (59) tackles Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins for a safety during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Arizona cornerback Jace Whittaker, left, breaks up a pass to Utah wide receiver Raelon Singleton during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah coach Kyle Whittingham questions an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey) Utah running back Armand Shyne (23) is tackled by Arizona linebacker Michael Barton (11) and defensive lineman Aiulua Fanene (62) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)

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With more injuries at QB, Rich Rodriguez says freshman QB Tate is ‘the guy’ right now