Targeting fouls deplete Arizona Wildcats, but backups step up in a big way

The targeting trend began anew late in the third period against UCLA last week, when defensive tackle Parker Zellers was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen. Zellers had to sit out the first half of Saturday’s game at Cal.

He soon had company in the UA locker room.

On the first play of the Golden Bears’ second possession, freshman safety Troy Young delivered a late hit on Cal tailback Vic Enwere, who was being wrapped up by Dane Cruikshank. Young led with his head and was ejected just 12 plays into his first career start.

On the next-to-last play of the quarter, Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate reversed field and rolled to his left. Tailback J.J. Taylor nailed Cal linebacker Cameron Goode with a high block. No penalty was called initially, but a replay review determined that Taylor targeted Goode.

“You can’t lead with the crown of the helmet,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. “It’s just a teaching moment. That’s a point of emphasis.”

Meanwhile, starting Arizona tailback Nick Wilson suffered an ankle injury in the first half and did not return. So, in an unfortunately familiar scenario, the Wildcats were down to their third-string tailback.

Senior Zach Green stepped in and put together a brilliant performance in Arizona’s 45-44 victory in double overtime. Green carried a career-high 20 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

“It felt good,” Green said. “It kind of felt like high school again.

“I just run with it. I start getting in my mode. It was good to show the country what I could do.”

The Wildcats were really scrambling at safety. Troy Young was playing in place of Scottie Young Jr., his classmate who suffered a knee injury last week. Scottie Young did not make the trip.

Troy Young started at the “Bandit” safety spot, with Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles shifting to free safety, where Scottie Young had started the first six games. When Troy Young got ejected, the coaches turned to redshirt freshman Jarrius Wallace at free safety, sending Flannigan-Fowles back to Bandit.

Wallace ended up playing a key role. He intercepted Cal quarterback Ross Bowers in the end zone in the second quarter.

“We have depth at the safety position,” said Cruikshank, who had nine tackles and a pass breakup. “All those guys can play. Jarrius made a play as soon as he came into the game.”

Near the end of regulation, Wallace broke up a pass intended for Jordan Duncan on third-and-4 from the Arizona 35. Cal had to settle for a field goal that sent the game into overtime.

Early in the fourth quarter, Arizona freshman linebacker Tony Fields II got hurt while attempting to tackle Cal receiver Jordan Veasy. The two made helmet-to-helmet contact after Veasy caught the ball, and Fields was down for several minutes

Rodriguez and trainers for both teams tended to Fields, who eventually walked off the field. He did not return. Rodriguez said that Fields was smiling and happy in the locker room.

Fields entered Saturday tied for the team lead in tackles. The freshman finished the game with 10 stops.

• Defensive tackle Finton Connolly’s sack in the first quarter was the first full sack of his career.

• Defensive tackle Luca Bruno returned to the starting lineup after missing last week because of a concussion. He had five tackles.

• Tight end Trevor Wood handled most of the snaps on extra points and field goals. Wood took over as the short snapper during the UCLA game. Josh Pollack missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt at the end of the first half but made a 36-yarder to give Arizona the lead in the fourth quarter. He made all six of his extra-point attempts.

• Ex-Arizona assistant Charlie Ragle exchanged hugs and hellos with Pollack and his former co-workers on the field about two hours before kickoff. Ragle left the UA in the offseason to become the special teams coach for Cal.