Cougars Ready To Take On Heisman-Hopeful Tate

TUCSON, Ariz. – It’s not every week that you face a Heisman trophy candidate and in Week 1 of the college football season the BYU Cougars will face one in Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate.

Tate, who came in midway through last season for the Wildcats, quickly took the nation by storm with a 327-rushing yard performance in a 45-42 win over Colorado.

BYU, like the rest of nation, knows how much of a threat the junior can be and is ready for a big challenge early in the season.

“I think we’ve seen quite a bit of film on him,” said defensive lineman Corbin Kaufasi. “He’s an incredible quarterback. He’s a great runner.”

Kaufasi added that it’ll be key to contain Tate by staying in their assignments and not getting too excited to make a big play.

“It’s easy to get a little twitterpated when you’re going in for a sack or something, but he’s one of those guys where you got to break down and remember that – don’t leave your feet and don’t stand straight up. You got to be down in the stance the whole time,” he said.

Head coach Kalani Sitake also sees a great running threat in Tate but added that he can also be dangerous with the passing attack.

“He’s got a strong arm,” stated Sitake. “I’m more impressed with what he does as an athlete. He does whatever it takes to make plays in the game.”

The Cougars will take on Tate and Arizona Saturday in Tucson at 8:45 p.m.