Arizona Wildcats Football

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Highlights: Khalil Tate Makes Heroic, Last-Second Attempt for Arizona vs. Hawaii

Aug 25, 2019
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs down the sideline during the second quarter during of the team's NCAA college football game against Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs down the sideline during the second quarter during of the team's NCAA college football game against Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

The Arizona Wildcats lost to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Saturday night, 45-38, but quarterback Khalil Tate nearly pulled off a last-gasp miracle to send the game into overtime.

On the final play of the game, Tate rolled out to his right, looking to throw the ball into the end zone. But instead, seeing open field ahead of him, he decided to run the ball and nearly found paydirt, scrambling 30 yards. He needed 31 yards, however, and was tackled on the 1-yard line with no time left on the clock.

It was a heroic effort, and after the game Tate defended his decision to take off and run, lamenting that he came up "a little short."

Tate had a big game overall in the loss, finishing 22-of-39 for 361 yards while also adding 108 yards on the ground. He scored three total touchdowns, though he also threw two interceptions. But it will be that one final yard he couldn't get that will likely stick in his mind.

DeMarco Murray Reportedly Joining Arizona as RB Coach

Jan 2, 2019
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 3:  DeMarco Murray #29 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball during a game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.  The Titans defeated the Texans 23-14.  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 3: DeMarco Murray #29 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball during a game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans 23-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Former NFL running back DeMarco Murray is joining Kevin Sumlin's staff at the University of Arizona as running backs coach, according to Michael Lev of the Arizona Daily Star.

Murray, 30, retired from the NFL last July after seven seasons in the league.

Murray replaces Clarence McKinney, who was named the head coach at Texas Southern last month. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in mid-December that Murray was in the running for the vacancy.

This is not the first time Murray and Sumlin have crossed paths. Sumlin was a part of Bob Stoops' coaching staff at Oklahoma from 2003 to 2007. He served as the co-offensive coordinator during Murray's freshman season with the Sooners.

While this may be Murray's first stint as a coach, he has experience that could make him a valuable asset to Wildcats running backs. Murray ran for 7,174 yards and 49 touchdowns in the NFL. His seven-year professional career was highlighted by his 2014 campaign, when he amassed more than 2,200 yards from scrimmage (a league-high 1,845 rushing yards, 416 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) for the Dallas Cowboys.

Murray made three Pro Bowls and was the 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Arizona is coming off a 5-7 performance in its first season under Sumlin. Led by sophomore J.J. Taylor (1,434 yards), the Wildcats' running attack ranked 35th in the nation.