The Arizona Wildcats will start Will Plummer at quarterback against Northern Arizona on Saturday, head coach Jedd Fisch confirmed Monday at his weekly press conference.
Fisch did not say if Gunner Cruz will still play vs. Lumberjacks, but noted that USF transfer Jordan McCloud will get more reps in practice, suggesting he could make his UA debut this week.
Cruz played pretty well in the opener against BYU but struggled in the 38-14 loss to San Diego State, completing just 10 of his 19 passes for 70 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Wildcats only scored once in his 11 drives.
Plummer relieved Cruz late in the third quarter and went 8 for 17 for 109 yards and a touchdown, along with a 13-yard run.
“I thought he did a very nice job when he got in there, but he’s handled himself extremely well throughout the entire process here,” Fisch said. “You know, training camp competitions, spring ball competition, the times that he had a chance to go play. But he went in there, he was tough, he was a lead blocker for Drake (Anderson) on what could have been touchdown to bring it to 16 points. Unfortunately, we had our offensive holding on that call. He dropped his shoulder on a scramble, which I would have preferred him not to do, but he certainly showed a toughness there. Made a couple of nice wide-field throws to BJ (Casteel). Threw a nice ball to Tayvian, both in the end zone and also down the field.”
After rewatching the game, Fisch said the offense missed opportunities when Cruz was in the game.
“And therefore resulted in hits, therefore resulted in scrambles, therefore resulted in negative plays, throwing the ball behind the line of scrimmage and things that we just never should have done,” Fisch said. “That to me is what I look for. I think the quarterback position is about decision-making, timing and accuracy.”