The 2014 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the Wildcats's 115th overall, 37th as a member of the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12) and its fourth within the Pac-12 South Division. The team was led by head coach Rich Rodriguez, in his third year, and played its home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona for the 86th straight year.
They ultimately finished 10–4, achieving the third 10-win regular season in program history. The Wildcats won the Pac-12 South Division for the first time, advancing to the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where they faced the Oregon Ducks. The Wildcats played in the first year of the New Year's Six bowls, netting a berth in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, the school's third major-bowl appearance, where they faced the Boise State Broncos. Arizona lost the game to Boise State, 38–30.
Departures Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown NotesJavelle Allen 9 Quarterback 6'2" 223 RS freshman Prosper, TX dismissed from team.Eric Bender-Ramsay 69 Offensive guard 6'6" 331 Senior Carson, CA Graduated.Kylan Butler 2 Running back 5'7" 187 Senior Antioch, CA Graduated.Ka'Deem Carey 25 Running back 5'10" 207 Junior Tucson, AZ Forwent Senior season to enter in the 2014 NFL draft.Wayne Capers Jr. 12 Safety 6'1" 201 Sophomore Pittsburgh, PA left team due to injuries.Brian Chacon 63 Long snapper 6'3" 251 Senior Cypress, CA Graduated.B.J. Denker 7 Quarterback 6'3" 184 Senior Torrance, CA Graduated.Jake Fischer 33 Linebacker 6'0" 222 Senior Tucson, AZ Graduated.Marquis Flowers 2 Linebacker 6'3" 229 Senior Phoenix, AZ Graduated.Tevin Hood 98 Defensive Tackle 6'0" 302 Senior Chandler, AZ Graduated.Nick Isham 14 Quarterback 5'10" 185 Junior Hidden Hills, CA Transferred.Daniel Jenkins 3 Running back 5'9" 195 Senior Moreno Valley, CA Graduated.Terrence Miller 18 Receiver 6'4" 233 Senior Moreno Valley, CA Graduated.Richard Morrison 8 Cornerback 5'11" 184 Senior Royse City, TX Graduated.Chris Putton 62 Offensive guard 6'4" 284 Senior Glendale, AZ Graduated.Derrick Rainey 17 Cornerback 6'1" 185 Senior Houston, TX Graduated.Shaquille Richardson 5 Cornerback 6'1" 188 Senior Carson, CA Graduated.Justin Samuels 29 Cornerback 5'10" 171 Senior Camas, WA Graduated.Jake Smith 86 Kicker 6'2" 201 Senior Philadelphia, PA Graduated.Sione Tuihalamaka 91 Defensive end 6'2" 269 Senior Hawthorne, CA Graduated.Justin Washington 43 Defensive end 6'2" 244 Senior Cypress, TX Graduated.Shane Wilson 42 Cornerback 5'10" 171 Senior Woodland Hills, CA Graduated.
Before the season
Top returning players
Offense Player Class Position Anu Solomon RS freshman Quarterback Jesse Scroggins RS senior Quarterback Terris Jones-Grigsby RS senior Running back Nate Phillips Sophomore Receiver Samajie Grant Sophomore Receiver Johnny Jackson Junior Receiver David Richards Junior Receiver Austin Hill Senior Receiver Steven Gurrola Senior Center Fabbians Ebbele Senior Offensive line Mickey Baucus Senior Offensive line Cayman Bundage Junior Offensive line
Defense Player Class Position Jonathan McKnight Senior Cornerback Devin Holiday Sophomore Cornerback Jourdon Grandon Senior Safety Jared Tevis Senior SafetyTra'Mayne Bondurant Senior Safety William Parks Junior Safety Scooby Wright III Sophomore Linebacker Sir Thomas Jackson Junior Linebacker Hank Hobson Senior Linebacker Reggie Gilbert Senior Defensive lineman Dan Pettinato Senior Defensive lineman Dwight Melvin Sophomore Defensive lineman
Special teams Player Class Position Drew Riggleman Junior Punter Casey Skowron Junior Kicker
Arrivals Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Jerrard Randall 8 Quarterback 6'1" 186 Junior (Junior College) Hollywood, FL transferred from Northeast Mississippi Community College. Randall also played at LSU along with Jordan Allen, before Junior College. Jordan Allen 18 Defensive end 6'6" 254 Senior West Monroe, LA transfer from LSU. Previously played with Jerrard Randall at LSU. Will have eligibility to play in the 2014 season under NCAA transfer rules at Arizona. Adonis Smith 26 Running back 5'11" 200 Senior Oakland, CA transfer from UNLV in last season and Northwestern in last two seasons, will be able to play in the 2014 season. Ethan Kerysling 34 Placekicker/punter 6'8" 330 Senior Chapel Hill, N.C. transfer from Virginia Tech Freddie Tagaloa 72 Offensive lineman 6'8" 330 Junior (Transfer) Richmond, CA transfer from Cal. Will sit out 2014 season under NCAA transfer rules. Will have 2 years eligibility at Arizona. Niko Kittrell 86 Defensive lineman 6'1" 186 Sophomore Tucson, AZ transferred from San Jose State. Blair Tushaus 87 Tight end 6'1" 186 Senior Scottsdale, AZ transferred from BYU. Aiulua Fanene 98 Defensive lineman 6'4" 295 RS sophomore Nuʻuuli, AS rejoins the team after returning from his mission.
Spring football On April 12, 2014, Arizona capped off its spring football camp with a scrimmage at Arizona Stadium which was open to the public.
Recruiting class
Preseason awards watchlists
Overall awards
Offensive
Maxwell Award – College Football Player of the Year *Austin Hill
Walter Camp Award – Player of the Year *Austin Hill
Biletnikoff Award – College Football Player of the Year *Austin Hill
Defensive awards
Defensive
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Most Outstanding Defensive Player *Jared Tevis
Regular season
Schedule
Personnel
Roster
Depth chart Source:
On April 12, 2014, the Wildcats will play the White and Navy Blue game, the program's annual spring game. Arizona plays seven of twelve regular season games at home: two of three non-conference games and five of nine in Pac-12 play. For the second-straight year the Cats face neither Stanford nor Oregon State.
Game summaries vs UNLV
Statistics UNLV ARIZ First downs 2032 Total yards 371787 Rushing yards 31–11948–353 Passing yards 252434 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 22–41–126–46–0 Time of possession 28:2431:36 Team Category Player StatisticsUNLV Passing Blake Decker22/41, 252 yards, TD, INT Rushing Blake Decker10 carries, 56 yards Receiving Devonte Boyd6 receptions, 102 yardsArizona Passing Anu Solomon25/44, 425 yards, 4 TD Rushing Terris Jones-Grigsby13 carries, 124 yards, TD Receiving Austin Hill3 receptions, 110 yards, TD
at UTSA
Statistics ARIZUTSA First downs 2223 Total yards 454349 Rushing yards 44–22339–121 Passing yards 231228 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–32–022–33–1 Time of possession 26:5633:04 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Anu Solomon17/32, 231 yards, TD Rushing Nick Wilson30 carries, 174 yards, TD Receiving Cayleb Jones4 receptions, 143 yards, TDUTSA Passing Tucker Carter22/33, 228 yards, TD, INT Rushing David Glasco II12 carries, 35 yards, TD Receiving David Morgan II5 receptions, 76 yards, TD
vs Nevada
Statistics NEV ARIZ First downs 2526 Total yards 429507 Rushing yards 40–10838–229 Passing yards 321278 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 29–39–022–26–1 Time of possession 35:4824:12 Team Category Player StatisticsNevada Passing Cody Fajardo29/39, 321 yards, 3 TD Rushing James Butler13 carries, 50 yards Receiving Richy Turner7 receptions, 99 yardsArizona Passing Anu Solomon22/26, 278 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Nick Wilson29 carries, 171 yards, 2 TD Receiving Cayleb Jones9 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
vs California
Statistics CAL ARIZ First downs 2436 Total yards 573627 Rushing yards 42–19332–107 Passing yards 380520 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–30–147–74–2 Time of possession 28:5231:08 Team Category Player StatisticsCalifornia Passing Jared Goff18/30, 380 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Daniel Lasco20 carries, 123 yards, TD Receiving Bryce Treggs5 receptions, 119 yards, TDArizona Passing Anu Solomon47/73, 520 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT Rushing Anu Solomon16 carries, 46 yards Receiving Cayleb Jones13 receptions, 186 yards, 3 TD
at No. 2 Oregon
Statistics ARIZORE First downs 2925 Total yards 495446 Rushing yards 55–20841–144 Passing yards 287302 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–31–121–33–0 Time of possession 33:3226:28 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Anu Solomon20/31, 287 yards, TD, INT Rushing Terris Jones-Grigsby27 carries, 115 yards, TD Receiving Terris Jones-Grigsby4 receptions, 95 yardsOregon Passing Marcus Mariota20/32, 276 yards, 2 TD Rushing Royce Freeman19 carries, 85 yards Receiving Devon Allen5 receptions, 78 yards, TD
vs USC
Statistics USC ARIZ First downs 2234 Total yards 424472 Rushing yards 39–23929–77 Passing yards 185395 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–30–143–72–0 Time of possession 31:1028:50 Team Category Player StatisticsUSC Passing Cody Kessler20/30, 185 yards, TD, INT Rushing Javorius Allen26 carries, 205 yards, 3 TD Receiving Nelson Agholor7 receptions, 81 yards, TDArizona Passing Anu Solomon43/72, 395 yards, TD Rushing Jared Baker12 carries, 43 yards, 2 TD Receiving Austin Hill7 receptions, 70 yards
at Washington State
Statistics ARIZWSU First downs 2533 Total yards 451543 Rushing yards 36–15720–54 Passing yards 294489 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 26–38–056–79–2 Time of possession 25:3634:24 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Anu Solomon26/38, 294 yards, 5 TD Rushing Terris Jones-Grigsby13 carries, 107 yards Receiving Cayleb Jones7 receptions, 78 yards, TDWashington State Passing Connor Halliday56/79, 489 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT Rushing Jamal Morrow6 carries, 48 yards Receiving Vince Mayle14 receptions, 145 yards, TD
at No. 22 UCLA
Statistics ARIZUCLA First downs 1921 Total yards 255460 Rushing yards 31–8059–271 Passing yards 175189 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–48–119–26–0 Time of possession 21:5138:09 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Anu Solomon18/48, 175 yards, TD, INT Rushing Terris Jones-Grigsby11 carries, 50 yards Receiving Trey Griffey4 receptions, 48 yardsUCLA Passing Brett Hundley19/26, 189 yards, TD Rushing Brett Hundley24 carries, 131 yards Receiving Jordan Payton6 receptions, 119 yards, TD
vs Colorado
Statistics COLO ARIZ First downs 1928 Total yards 353499 Rushing yards 36–9447–288 Passing yards 259211 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–39–221–38–0 Time of possession 30:0529:55 Team Category Player StatisticsColorado Passing Sefo Liufau24/33, 252 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Phillip Lindsay17 carries, 114 yards Receiving Shay Fields5 receptions, 94 yards, TDArizona Passing Anu Solomon21/38, 211 yards, 4 TD Rushing Nick Wilson21 carries, 153 yards Receiving Samajie Grant6 receptions, 83 yards, 2 TD
vs Washington
Statistics WASH ARIZ First downs 2522 Total yards 504375 Rushing yards 60–24540–133 Passing yards 259242 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–30–017–40–2 Time of possession 36:0523:55 Team Category Player StatisticsWashington Passing Cyler Miles20/29, 223 yards Rushing Dwayne Washington19 carries, 148 yards, 2 TD Receiving Jaydon Mickens4 receptions, 69 yardsArizona Passing Anu Solomon17/39, 242 yards, 2 INT Rushing Nick Wilson30 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD Receiving Samajie Grant4 receptions, 85 yards
at No. 17 Utah
Statistics ARIZUTAH First downs 2120 Total yards 520384 Rushing yards 47–29843–213 Passing yards 222171 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–22–018–35–3 Time of possession 27:3232:28 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Anu Solomon8/17, 158 yards Rushing Nick Wilson20 carries, 218 yards, 3 TD Receiving Samajie Grant4 receptions, 88 yardsUtah Passing Travis Wilson16/29, 143 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Devontae Booker23 carries, 142 yards Receiving Westlee Tonga4 receptions, 68 yards, TD
vs No. 13 Arizona State
Statistics ASU ARIZ First downs 2713 Total yards 380333 Rushing yards 43–11337–125 Passing yards 267208 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27–44–115–21–0 Time of possession 35:5424:06 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Taylor Kelly13/22, 144 yards, 2 TD Rushing Demario Richard13 carries, 68 yards Receiving Jaelen Strong4 receptions, 80 yards, TDArizona Passing Anu Solomon15/21, 208 yards, 2 TD Rushing Nick Wilson24 carries, 178 yards, 3 TD Receiving Samajie Grant4 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD