Arizona Football: Kevin Sumlin enters do-or-die 2020 season

Paul Rhoads will look to turn around a woeful defense

As well as Arizona’s offense performed in 2019, their defense played just as poorly, costing the team any chance at success and leading the program to replace defensive coordinator Marcel Yates with Paul Rhoads this past offseason.

The Wildcats finished 120th in the nation in total defense and dead last in the Pac-12 allowing 471.4 yards per game.

Arizona’s defense Achilles’ heel was their inability to slow down opposing passing attacks. The Wildcats finished 126th in the nation and only ahead of UCLA in the Pac-12 as they allowed an unacceptable 289.8 yards per game.

In 2020, the Wildcats will be relying on cornerbacks Lorenzo Burns and Christian Roland-Wallace to anchor their secondary.

Burns led the team with four interceptions a year ago along with a team-high seven pass breakups and 47 total tackles. Roland-Wallace broke up four passes and grabbed an interception as a true freshman last season. His role will be increased with Jace Whittaker, who made three interceptions now gone.

As for stopping the run, Arizona finished 88th in the nation, allowing 181.6 yards per game. They return leading tackler in linebacker Colin Schooler who recorded 98 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and forced a pair of fumbles. They also bring back defensive end Jalen Harris, who recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and Tony Fields II, who made 94 total tackles with five coming for a loss.

The Wildcat defense will also look to apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks next season as Harris led the team with just four and overall, they finished tied for 111th in the nation with just 17.0 sacks.

If Arizona’s defense can improve with continuity, the team as a whole will have a chance to make some noise in the Pac-12. If not, it may be another long season in Tucson.