Utah Football: 3 takeaways from comfortable win over Arizona in Week 7

3. The Arizona offense is effectively nonexistent without Khalil Tate

Coming into the showdown against Utah, Khalil Tate had to break out of his drought and return to full health for Arizona to have a shot at upsetting the Utes. Instead, Tate limped around the gridiron on a balky ankle until Kevin Sumlin and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone belatedly came to the conclusion that the offense was going nowhere with an unhealthy Tate on the field.

Of course, the entire reason why Sumlin and Mazzone tried to give Tate a go despite his injury is because they were well aware that the Arizona offense is far better with one of last year’s most electric breakout stars than without him. Tate finally succumbed to an injury that has lingered since the Houston loss early in the season.

Once he left the game, neither freshman Jamarye Joiner nor Rhett Rodriguez — the sophomore son of the former head coach — could do much with their time on the field. Without any dynamism to speak about, Sumlin showed little confidence in the offense in attempting a field goal on third down with 10 seconds left in the first half.

Even when gifted field position just outside the red zone by a Utah interception, then being allowed 10 more yards on a holding penalty, Arizona still walked away without points after a hold on fourth and one.

Rodriguez settled in as the main man under center, finishing 20-of-38 and throwing for 226 yards and a touchdown.They eventually scored later in the second half, but never really had a chance of coming back in this one. If Tate is injured for any length of time, this will really become a Year Zero for Sumlin and his staff as they are without another experienced passer.