As Arizona prepares to open Pac-12 play this weekend on the road against Cal, here are three players to watch for on both sides ahead of the match up between the Wildcats and Golden Bears.
Arizona
LB Jerry Roberts - stats vs. North Dakota State: Nine tackles, two solo
Cal is likely going to look to establish the running game with freshman RB Jaydn Ott, who has won Pac-12 Freshman of the Week ealier this season. Roberts has led the Wildcats in tackles in each of the first three games and he figures to be in line to have a shot to do so again against the Golden Bears. The leader of the Arizona linebacker room should find himself all over the field again this weekend.
KAT Hunter Echols - stats vs. North Dakota State: eight tackles, four solo, two tackles for loss, one sack
Coming off a week where he was named the Pac-12 Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, Echols has a chance to find himself in the opposing backfield again this weekend. The Cal offensive line has struggled heavily so far this season to the tune of allowing 12 sacks through three games. Arizona will have to take advantage of those struggles and put pressure on QB Jack Plummer early and often.
WR Tetairoa McMillan - stats vs. North Dakota State: one catch, 19 yards receiving
After catching seven passes in his first two games, McMillan caught just one pass last weekend against the Bison. The Cal secondary is experienced so it will be a tough battle for the freshman along with Jacob Cowing and Dorian Singer, but I am expecting T-Mac to get back involved in the passing offense this weekend with Jayden de Laura after last week's performance.
Cal
RB Jaydn Ott - stats vs. Notre Dame: 13 carries, 33 rushing yards, two catches, 11 yards receiving
After exploding onto the scene with 104 yards on the ground to open the season, Ott posted another respectable performance against UNLV before getting shut down by Notre Dame. Coming off a game where Arizona was run all over by North Dakota State, Cal will likely look to establish the running game themselves early with Ott.
LB Jackson Sirmon - stats vs. Notre Dame: 15 tackles, four solo, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss
Coming off a huge performance against the Fighting Irish, Sirmon will look to carry that momentum into this weekend against the Wildcats. He leads the Cal defense so far this season with 32 tackles on the season. The transfer from Washington will be a player to monitor for the Arizona offense and offensive line.
WR Jeremiah Hunter - stats vs. Notre Dame: five catches, 66 yards receiving
Hunter has led the Golden Bears in receiving in all three games, hauling in 16 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown all season. J. Michael Sturdivant has also been heavily involved for Jack Plummer and the Cal offense, hauling in 14 passes for 165 yards and a score. The Wildcats secondary will likely be tested this weekend.
The game between Arizona and Cal is scheduled to kick-off at 2:30 p.m. (MST) on Saturday to open up Pac-12 play.
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