Article Credit Adam Gonzales Photo Courtesy: Arizona Athletics
Tucson, Ariz. – It is hard to believe that it’s only been 98 days since redshirt freshman quarter Anu Solomon made his first career start against UNLV back on Aug. 29., because in those 98 days, he has accomplished more than almost any other quarterback in Arizona football history. The Wildcats already have the most wins in a season since 1998, they are playing for their first ever Pac-12 Championship and he has already put his name in the record book. So far, Solomon has set school freshman records for passing yards (3,424) and passing touchdowns (27). In his opinion, his success is because he has become much better in the mental aspect of the game.
“I’ve gotten better at knowing the offensive playbook,” Solomon said. “I’ve also gotten more comfortable knowing where to go in certain situations and being on the same page as the coaches.”
As a quarterback, it is important that you become a leader to some degree because everything revolves around you. Being a freshman quarterback, it can be hard to take command of the offense and be the extension of the head coach on the field. Solomon has become that guy, and it was obvious when the Wildcats played Utah. When he went down to an injury in the first half, he was right by senior quarterback Jesse Scroggins III giving him advice and showing him what it was going to take to win that game.
“I try not to let age get in the way,” Solomon said. “As the season has gone on, I have tried to step into a leadership role. If I go down, I give Jerrard (Randall) and Jesse (Scroggins) advice because we can’t miss a beat if anyone goes down.”
Scroggins finished the game and in fact, the Wildcats not only didn’t miss a beat, they went on a scoring tear. He did a good job of managing the game as the Arizona beat Utah 42-10.
Solomon has had his fair share of success, but he has had a ton of help to go along with it. He gives a lot of credit to his offensive line and his wide receiving corps, along with a former Wildcat quarterback.
“The majority of the offensive linemen have helped me a lot with the protection scheme and what I need to see,” Solomon said. “Also, Austin Hill has been there before, so he tells me where he will be and what I should do in certain situations. B.J. Denker has helped me a ton because he has experience and has also been there before. He has been telling me all of the right things. I have a great wide receiving corps and it helps a lot to have those guys. Just the fact that I can throw to any one of them on any play is a good feeling. With the guys we have, every play can be a big play, and I am blessed to have them as teammates.”
The freshman also has the luxury of having a stable of running backs to lean on. True freshman Nick Wilson has been a sensation for the Wildcats as he has run for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. There have been times this year when Wilson wasn’t able to go, but senior Terris Jones-Grigsby doesn’t miss a beat when it is his turn to carry the load. Jones-Grigsby boasts three 100-yard games during this season, and also provides a lot of leadership for some of the young guys.
“Nick (Wilson) is an amazing player,” Solomon said. “We also have Terris (Jones-Grigsby), Jared Baker, Adonis (Smith) and Zach (Green). Nick is still learning, but his talent just takes over. I might have to take him to the film room and tell him what I see and what needs to happen.”
Solomon also gets to work with some of the best coaches in the country. Head coach Rich Rodriguez has a reputation of having a ton of success with quarterbacks, and he also gets to work with co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Rod Smith.
“Coach Rod Smith is a great coach and he does everything right,” Solomon said. “Some games I tend to lose focus on what I need to do and how to execute some plays, and I just need to remember that I need to do what coach Smith is telling me.”
The freshman knew that something special was brewing in Tucson when he first got here last year. He could tell that the program was headed in the right direction and that it was only a matter of time before Arizona was competing for a Pac-12 Championship.
“I thought this could be special when I first got here,” Solomon said. “I knew what coach Rodriguez was all about, and ever since then I have seen how he has developed this program. With all the recruits that we are getting, I knew something special could happen.”
Solomon has had a knack for winning championships as a starting quarterback. When he attended Bishop Gormon High School, he led them to four straight Nevada state championships and had a combined record of 57-3. Friday will be the most important game of his life though, and he seems poised to earn another championship.
“It is definitely the biggest game I’ve played,” Solomon said. “We have come a long way and we have worked very hard for this.”
Solomon and the Wildcats will face Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Fri., Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. MST. The game will air on FOX with Tim Brandon, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call.
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