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Yes, the Arizona Wildcats losing streak reached 20 straight this past weekend but, at this stage, it’s the nuance that counts around here and Arizona football played easily it’s best game of the season.
As a 19 point underdog; in the Coliseum against the University of Southern California Trojans.
The game started off in predictable fashion with a quick SC score but Arizona varied from past scripts and evened the game up with a Jamarye Joiner touchdown bomb to wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham.
It was all SC the rest of the half, resulting in a 35-14 UA deficit.
The second half was a different story. And not in the way that Wildcat fans have become accustomed to this year.
And that starts with sophomore QB Will Plummer.
The player we saw Saturday was the guy who so many thought should have been under center from day one.
And it was the obvious things. First, Plummer prioritized throwing the ball to the wide receiver, which as Arizona fans have found out is not a trait to be taken lightly.
When provided time in the pocket Plummer climbed and went through his progressions and found his second and third options and, just as important, when the play broke down he used his wheels to extend plays and, in one case, run for a touchdown.
Plummer’s passing numbers of 264 yards and 1 touchdown appear pedestrian but his play in the second half was anything but as was able to move the ball at will.
To be clear, USC, is a very poorly coached team but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that Arizona outscored the Trojans by 14 In the second half.
How often has Arizona looked dejected and out of gas in the fourth quarter this season?
Well, to a lesser extent that’s what USC looked like Saturday evening.
It’s still impossible to ignore that Arizona lost its twentieth straight game and the Cats go into Homecoming week against California as a nearly two touchdown underdog.
But Arizona showed massive improvement against USC and offered fans a glimmer of hope.
Hope that has rarely been seen during this historic losing streak.
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