Arizona defense trending in wrong direction as tackling problems mount

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesLate in the third quarter, with Cal on the move, Arizona’s defense was tasked with keeping the contest a one-possession game.

The Golden Bears were humming offensively, having gone 87 yards in eight plays for a touchdown on the previous drive. Now they were back in the red zone looking to push their lead to double digits.

With the ball on Arizona’s 18-yard line and a fresh set of downs, the Bears did what they had done a dozen times prior: hand the ball off to running back Jaydn Ott.

Ott slipped to the outside, then cut inside where he was faced with insurmountable opposition. Five white helmets descended on the true freshman. Ott got stood upright,…