TUCSON, Ariz. – Offensive stars
Brandon Dawkins and
J.J. Taylor highlighted the Arizona football weekly awards announced Sunday by head coach
Rich Rodriguez. The Wildcats defeated Hawai'i, 47-28, to close out non-conference play on Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.
Dawkins, making his second career start at quarterback, totaled 353 yards of offense and four touchdowns. The sophomore was 16-of-21 passing for 235 yards and a score, while he rushed 15 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns. It was his first career 100-yard rushing game.
His backfield mate, Taylor, filled in for starter
Nick Wilson by rushing for 168 yards on 18 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown. Taylor's tally of 168 yards is eighth-best in school history for a freshman, and he added an 18-yard reception. He and Dawkins became the seventh running back-quarterback tandem to both eclipse the 100-yard mark in a game under Rodriguez.
Place-kicker and punter
Josh Pollack turned in another consistent effort to earn Special Teams Player of the Week honors. The sophomore collected 11 points, including five extra point kicks and a pair of field goals. He also punted four times for an average of 46.2 yards, with two kicks ending up inside the 20-yardline. His punting has produced a 43.2 net average so far this season, which is eighth-best among FBS teams.
Senior receiver
Nate Phillips earned the program's Hard Edge Player of the Week honor. He hauled in three catches for 35 yards and had an 18-yard punt return Saturday. The receptions pushed his career total to 130, which is 11th-most in school history, and he has a reception in 36-consecutive games played.
Scout team player of the week honors were also handed out. Receiver
Zach Benjamin (offense), lineman
Larry Tharpe Jr. (defense) and safety
Jarrius Wallace (special teams) earned recognition from the coaching staff.
Receiver
Tyrell Johnson, who had a 24-yard rushing touchdown as part of a 65-yard total in all-purpose yardage, was named the Student of the Week.
Arizona closes out a three-game homestand this Saturday against No. 9 Washington at Arizona Stadium. The game will be televised live on the Pac-12 Network beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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