PULLMAN, Wash. – Redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon threw five touchdown passes as 15th-ranked Arizona defeated Washington State, 59-37, to improve to 6-1 and achieve bowl eligibility for the third-consecutive year in as many seasons under head coach Rich Rodriguez.

The defense forced two turnovers, two Connor Halliday interceptions, while Scooby Wright forced three fumbles in the game in addition to his three sacks. Cam Denson and William Parks had Arizona's two interceptions.

Additionally, Arizona (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) earned two scores on special teams. DaVonte' Neal went 81 yards on a punt return on Washington State's first possession of the game. Arizona's final score of the game came when Cayleb Jones returned an attempted an onside kick with 6:09 remaining in the game.

The Wildcats' 59 points were the most since scoring an identical 59 points in a 59-38 victory over Oklahoma State on Sep. 8, 2012 and the largest conference output since Nov. 8, 2008 when Arizona defeated Washington State 59-29 on the same field.

Solomon completed 26 of his 38 passes for 294 yards, connecting with 10 different players. Jones, Austin Hill, Neal, Nate Phillips and Trey Griffey caught Solomon's five touchdown passes.

Jones led all Wildcats with seven receptions for 78 yards including one receiving touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Arizona also got it done on the ground, totaling 159 yards on 35 rushes. Terris Jones-Grigsby led UA with 107 yards on 13 carries.

Solomon ran for 31 yards while Nick Wilson added 18 yards and UA's lone rushing TD of the game.

Jared Tevis led Arizona with 13 tackles and one sack. Jourdon Grandon turned in one of his best games as a Wildcat, totaling 10 tackles and a pass breakup.

Washington State (2-6, 1-4 Pac-12) outgained Arizona 543 yards to 451 and Halliday threw for 489 yards and four scores on 79 attempts.

A minute and six seconds into the game, Arizona grabbed the lead when DaVonte' Neal took a Jordan Dascalo punt at UA's 19-yard line and returned it 81 yards for his first punt return for a touchdown of the season.

After forcing a Washington State punt, Arizona took over at its own one-yard line. UA went 13 plays in 84 yards, capped by a 31-yard Casey Skowron field goal to take a 10-0 lead with 8:28 to go in the first quarter.

The Cats were at it once again on their ensuing possession. UA forced a punt and took 10 plays to go 80 yards to find the endzone and take a 17-0 lead. Solomon found Neal for a two-yard touchdown pass, Neal's second score of the game.

Four plays later, Arizona had the ball back after Washington State turned the ball over on downs at the Cougar 34-yard line. The Wildcats found paydirt once again when Solomon hurled a 21-yard touchdown to Nate Phillips to put Arizona on top 24-0.

The Cougars put together a promising drive before Cam Denson, who replaced Jarvis McCall Jr. who was hurt on the Arizona's previous defensive possession, intercepted a Connor Holliday pass for his first collegiate pick.

Arizona capitalized on the turnover, marching 68 yards in 12 plays for the score. Solomon tossed his third touchdown pass of the game, this one to Cayleb Jones, a three-yard hookup on fourth-and-goal.

The Cougars scored on their next two possessions, both touchdown strikes from Halliday to Isiah Myers. The second scoring drive was helped out by key Arizona defensive penalties.

Jared Baker fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting up Washington State for a Quentin Breshears 40-yard field goal before the end of the half.

Arizona responded on its first drive of the second half, driving 61 yards in six plays, capped by a two-yard Nick Wilson touchdown rush.

After forcing a three-and-out, UA relied on Jones-Grigsby on its next possession, riding the tailback for 73 yards on the ground. The drive ended on Solomon's 14-yard touchdown pass to Hill.

Halliday threw his second pick of the game, this one an interception by William Parks with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter. UA found the endzone six plays later when Solomon found Trey Griffey for a 13-yard touchdown pass to put Arizona on top 52-16.

WSU put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive to answer, punctuated by Gerard Wicks' one-yard rush to cut Arizona's lead to 52-23.

Halliday added an eight-yard touchdown strike to Vince Mayle with 6:15 to play, but the resulting onside kick was returned for a touchdown by Jones.

Washington State added a touchdown with 16 seconds to go to cut Arizona's lead to 59-37.

Arizona is back in action next week as the Wildcats head to Los Angeles to take on UCLA on Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. PT/MST.