First look: Arizona at UCLA

Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins is a threat in the air and on the ground for UCLA. (Photo: Rick Scuteri/AP)

Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins is a threat in the air and on the ground for UCLA. (Photo: Rick Scuteri/AP)

UCLA Bruins (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) vs. Arizona Wildcats (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Rose Bowl
TV: ESPN
Radio: AM 570

Scouting report: Arizona got off to a slow start to the season, losing a thriller to BYU then squeaking by Grambling State. The Wildcats had a quarterback controversy during the offseason and settled on Anu Solomon, but Solomon was injured in practice after the season opener. Three games later, it seems his replacement Brandon Dawkins is here to stay. Dawkins is a dual-threat quarterback who gave No. 10 Washington’s stout defense fits. He ran for 176 yards and passed for 167 while scoring three total touchdowns in the overtime loss. Freshman running back J.J. Taylor is out due to a broken ankle suffered against UW. He was second on the team in rushing (after Dawkins) after starter Nick Wilson was injured in Arizona’s win over Hawai‘i. Like last year, defense is a concern for the Wildcats. They gave up 512 total yards to the Huskies, including 352 on the ground and rank 10th in the conference in total defense.

Series history: UCLA head coach Jim Mora is undefeated in his tenure against Arizona, including a 56-30 win last year in the desert. Arizona’s backup quarterback Jerrard Randall rushed for 128 yards last year as the Wildcats gained 353 yards on the ground. It was the most rushing yards the Bruins gave up last year. UCLA easily matched Arizona’s explosive offense, aided by three turnovers forced by the Bruins.

Key players:

QB Brandon Dawkins, Jr., 50/81, 625 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 391 rushing yards, 7 TDs

Dawkins grabbed the starting and after three good games, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to give it up. He leads the team in rushing and averages 8.9 yards per carry.

WR Shun Brown, So., 13 catches, 213 yards, 1 TD

— The Wildcats have not been very strong through the air, but could need to rely more heavily on their passing attack after another running back went down to injury last Saturday.

FS Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, So., 23 tackles (20 solo), 2 INTs, 3 pass breakups, 4 passes defended

— The free safety is second on the team in tackles, only one behind team leader Paul Magloire Jr.