Arizona receivers’ block party aids QB Tate’s rushing

Khalil Tate did a lot of it on his own. The Arizona Wildcats quarterback ran past and through Colorado defenders. He made them miss. He improvised. He even leaped over the goal line.

He also had a lot of help from his friends.

The offensive line did its part, of course.

But you can’t rush for 327 yards – an FBS record for quarterbacks – with three touchdown runs of 47 or more yards without exceptional downfield blocking.

Arizona’s receivers provided that and then some during Tate’s historic performance in Boulder last week.

It’s what is expected of every wideout who puts on a Wildcats uniform. No divas allowed.

“It’s the first thing we talk about, the first day of practice,” UA receivers coach Theron Aych said Tuesday. “You’ve got to be able to block to play receiver here.”

Rich Rodriguez’s ground-oriented offense requires receivers to do more than run routes. He doesn’t necessarily look for blockers when recruiting receivers out of high school. But once they arrive on campus, it becomes a job requirement.

“You hope that they’re able to do it and willing to do it,” said Rodriguez, whose team hosts UCLA on Saturday. “Either way, when they get here, they’re going to have to do it.”

Rodriguez tries to promote a culture of selflessness. The way he sees it – and the way he expresses it to his players – is as follows:

“When one guy scores on offense, they all score, and they all get to celebrate together.”

Rodriguez said no receiver he has coached has complained about blocking too much and not getting the ball enough. This year’s group appears to have bought in with vigor and enthusiasm.