TUCSON — There are quarterbacks who like to pass. And quarterbacks who like to run. Arizona’s Anu Solomon likes to pass while on the run.
During preparations for Saturday night’s game at No. 21 Arizona, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said Solomon ranks among the best that MacIntyre has seen in throwing while on the move.
That’s not an easy play for veteran quarterbacks to pull off. A passer without his feet set and shoulders square often will sail the ball over a receiver’s reach. But Solomon (6-foot-2 and 205 pounds) almost seems to have it perfected. And he’s only a redshirt freshman.
“When a play breaks down, he does a great job of keeping his eyes downfield,” CU senior defensive lineman Juda Parker said.
Solomon is completing almost 60 percent of his passes and has thrown for 21 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
“A lot of people throw on the run, but they can’t be accurate on the run,” MacIntyre said. “He’s accurate. He’s accurate on throwing to back shoulders, down the field, throwing back across the field.”
Arizona (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) handed Oregon its only loss, and the Wildcats could be viewed as one of the surprises of college football. The emergence of Solomon might be the biggest factor.
In midsummer, third-year Wildcats coach Rich Rod- riguez insisted he had no idea who would win the starting QB job. Outsiders, at least, figured the leader would surface from among three transfers: Jesse Scroggins (Southern California), Jerrard Randall (LSU) or Connor Brewer (Texas).
But Solomon began to turn heads during spring ball and then outplayed the more experienced competitors during August camp.
Solomon, who led Las Vegas high school power Bishop Gorman to four Nevada state championships, isn’t quite as athletic as Scroggins or Randall. But Solomon has shown by his ability to throw on the run that he just has a knack.
And Rodriguez believes Solomon’s mental toughness stretches the quarterback’s potential even further.
“One thing about Anu Solomon, he’s pretty unflappable,” Rodriguez said early in the season.
Solomon’s penchant for throwing while he scrambles gives Colorado (2-7, 0-6) something else to think about.
“It keeps the play alive longer,” MacIntyre said. “Defensive backs are forced to cover (receivers) longer. If you’re playing defense and the ball is not thrown on time, that’s difficult.”
The key for defensive backs is to keep their eyes focused on the receiver, no matter what the quarterback is doing. Defensive coaches believe that’s easier said than done.
“You can’t let your eyes wander toward the backfield,” CU defensive backs coach Charles Clark said.
Trust is a must, Buffs senior cornerback Greg Henderson added. Trust in your teammates, that is.
“If Solomon starts running, we just have to stick to our (coverage responsibility) and just believe that everybody else is doing their job,” Henderson said.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
When the Buffs run
Sophomore Michael Adkins II appears to finally be evolving into a featured back as the CU coaches had envisioned, having run for 107 and 109 yards the past two games. Look for Adkins to get more carries. He is running with strength and an attitude, and has the best open-field speed of the four CU backs. Arizona is allowing 4.6 yards per rush and has yielded 150 or more yards on the ground five times. Edge: Colorado
When the Wildcats run
Arizona has one of the Pac-12’s best freshman running backs in 5-foot-10, 199-pound Nick Wilson, who ranks seventh among the league’s rushers with 610 yards. He has scored seven times. He splits carries with senior Terris Jones-Grigsby, who ranks eighth in the league with 456 yards. That one-two punch is a lot for Colorado’s undersized defense to handle. Edge: Arizona
When the Buffs pass
Sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau continues to put up big passing numbers. His Achilles’ heel has been costly interceptions, but Arizona has only six picks for the season. The Wildcats rank 10th among Pac-12 teams in pass defense, but Liufau must be aware of linebacker Scooby Wright. He has 12 sacks.
Edge: Colorado
When the Wildcats pass
One of the surprises of the league has been the stunning emergence of redshirt freshman Anu Solomon. In a conference teeming with talented quarterbacks, Solomon ranks third with an average of 325.6 yards passing per game. CU ranks 10th in pass-efficiency defense, yielding 25 TD passes while making only three interceptions. Arizona is loaded with gifted receivers, led by 6-3, 212-pound senior Austin Hill.
Edge: Arizona
Special teams
The difference-maker is Arizona punt returner DaVonte Neal, a 5-10, 173-pound speedster who began his college career at Notre Dame. Neal is averaging 21.7 yards on six returns, including an 81-yarder for a touchdown against Washington State. Edge: Arizona
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
