Arizona football: Kevin Sumlin spoils Khalil Tate’s talent

3. Arizona’s defense is awful

Hopes were not super high for Arizona’s defense this season. While nine starters return from last year, those starters weren’t very good last season, and while some improvement was expected, Arizona was not in any way meant to be an elite defense this year. This game, however, was worse than I could’ve imagined.

While it may not have shown on the final scoreboard, Arizona’s defense was dreadful in this game. BYU is not exactly a potent offense, but at times in this game, especially in the second half, Tanner Mangum and the Cougars looked completely unstoppable. They were at their best in the third quarter, but for most of the game, BYU was pretty much able to get whatever they wanted on this defense.

The tackling was bad, the coverage was bad, there was little to no pressure on Mangum for the entire game, and it was just, in general, a very sloppy and lackluster performance. When given the chance to step up and return the ball to their offense in the fourth quarter, Arizona’s defense stood tall a couple of times, but ultimately, they just couldn’t get off the field in a timely manner late in the game.

That inability to get the ball back to their offense sealed Arizona’s fate, and while I think the offense is certainly not without blame, this was a pretty awful first game for this defense, in what was supposed to be a pretty easy win. It could be a long season out in Tucson.