Arizona Daily Wildcat Football Guide 09

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• thursday, september 3, 2009 • arizona daily wildcat

Veteran coaching staff looks for repeat performance in 2009

By Bobby Stover ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT

Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA quarterbacks Matt Scott, 4, Bryson Beirne, 17 and Nick Foles, 8, rock back to pass during a drill during a fall practice. Scott and Foles have been competing for the starting job since the spring, but neither was named the starting signal caller prior to the Wildcat’s season opener.

Two for the show Scott, Foles still vying for starting QB job

By Tim Kosch ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT Arizona’s offense was in the hands of quarterback Willie Tuitama for the last four years. It was a comforting time for Wildcat football: Tuitama was a leader, dependable and, as his career grew, even matured into a winner.

The Wildcats haven’t had to worry about the starting quarterback position for quite some time, but they are now.

Since Tuitama’s final snap in the Las Vegas Bowl last December, there has been a well-publicized competition between sophomore Matt Scott and redshirt sophomore Nick Foles . And just days away from the season opener against Central Michigan, neither quarterback has separated himself enough to be named a starter.

“It’ll either be Nick or Matt, we’d like to see them both play,” said head coach Mike Stoops at an Aug. 31 press conference. “We’ll continue to evaluate that as we go through the season. Hopefully it works its way out, but right now there’s just not a guy that you can just say flat out beat the other guy.”

It was first believed that Scott was heir apparent until Foles showed coaches in the spring that he had every right to be considered for the starting job. The two duked it out throughout the spring and summer, entering fall camp in a dead heat.

After a few weeks it appeared that Scott had taken a firm grasp of the job, and Stoops could finally justify naming him as the starter — that is until he struggled in the team’s final

scrimmage, while Foles shined.

No timetable has been set for naming a quarterback, and there is no formula on how that will be decided. Until further notice, Foles and Scott will remain co-quarterbacks.

“That’s just an instinctive feel,” Stoops said when asked when he will rotate the two quarterbacks against Central Michigan in Arizona’s season opener. “Sometimes you just look at the players’ eyes and you get that feeling or you don’t get that feeling. You have to see if he’s not feeling it, maybe he’s intimidated by the situation, his body language isn’t what you want it to be — those are just instincts you have to base your decisions on.”

Scott committed to Arizona with the idea that he would replace Tuitama and spent the 2008 season as Tuitama’s understudy and backup. His arm may not ‘wow’ anyone and it has not been consistently accurate, but it’s Scott’s athleticism that brings a new dimension to the offense. He is one of the fastest players on the team and has already shown the ability to make plays with his feet to turn a broken play into a solid gain.

Foles, on the other hand, is a traditional pocket-passing quarterback.

The 6-foot-5 signal caller from Austin, Texas, has the arm strength that every offensive coach covets. Foles transferred from Michigan State last off-season, limiting him to serving as the scout-team quarterback during practice. His athleticism is nowhere near Scott’s, but on the other hand, Scott’s arm is weaker than Foles’.

That could explain the difficulty in deciding who should start. In a way, the two are exact opposites.

“They’re both drastically different players,” Stoops said.

While the media surrounding the Wildcats has beaten the quarterback situation to death, the lack of a starter doesn’t seem to faze the team at all. In fact, they actually appear quite confident.

“The quarterback thing, I’m not worried about it,” said center Colin Baxter. “That’ll work itself out and the best guy will play.”

The player snapping the ball to the quarterback isn’t fretting about who is calling the signals, and neither are the receivers.

“It doesn’t affect us at all, really,” said wide receiver William “Bug” Wright . “It doesn’t matter who’s back there, we still need to make plays.”

With the talent that Arizona has at its skill positions, it’s feasible that the offense could thrive without a “face of the team” quarterback.

The Wildcats have three running backs that are starter-quality, an Hback that can handle the ball like a receiver, five quality receivers and a tight end that is arguably the best in the nation. The talent on offense has given Stoops the opportunity to take his time naming a quarterback.

“You would have liked to (name a starter by the first game), but I don’t necessarily see (that as) a bad thing,” Stoops said. “Both players, I believe, have gotten better and better and better, and both of them are playing at a high level right now.”

young players.

“You can see that (the coaches) are doing a good job of bringing in the right people,” said senior linebacker Sterling Lewis. “(The coaching staff) really works at making everyone fit into their certain roles and making us successful, and as they showed last year, they’re pretty good at it.”

On any football team, some of the most overlooked contributors tend to be part of the coaching staff. Aside from the head coach, and sometimes the offensive and defensive coordinators, few critics give much criticism or praise to the rest of the staff.

But after steering the Arizona NEW ADDITIONS football team to its first bowl game Garret Chachere in 10 seasons last year, the Wildcat • Inside Receivers Coach coaches should be commended as a • 19th year coaching •Last College: Memphiswhole. Fortunately for Arizona, the assistant-special teams majority of the coaching staff returns coordinator this year, as only inside receivers coach Michael Smith and co-offenSeth Littrell sive coordinator Dana Dimel left the • Running Backs/Tight Ends team for positions at Kansas State.

•6th year coaching •Last College: Texas Tech “I really like our staff and the conassistant-running backs tinuity we have within the staff,”said UA head coach Mike Stoops. “We lost a couple good coaches but I always feel we replace them with great coaches.

So even though we make a few changes, I feel our philosophy is the same.”

That philosophy has always been founded in a strong defense.

Stoops himself was a defensive coordinator at Oklahoma prior to coming to Tucson, and with his brother Mark at the helm of the defense, Stoops guided the Wildcats to a third-place Pacific 10 Conference finish in total defensive numbers. With minimal departures from the team during the offseason, a heavy veteran influence should cause additional success this season.

Arizona excelled especially in pass coverage, where it was third in the Michael Ignatov/Arizona Daily Wildcat conference in yards UA Director of Performance Enhancement Corey Edmond overallowed per game. sees an Aug. 23 practice at Arizona Stadium. The UA coaching While most of the staff has many veterans, which could bode well for the Wildcats. secondary coaching While no changes were made is done by Mark Stoops, linebackers coach Tim Kish also made a to the defensive coaching staff this considerable impact on Arizona’s offseason, two changes were made offensively. After the departure of pass coverage in 2008.

Kish has his work cut out this Smith and Dimel, Mike Stoops year as only three members of his brought in two new coaches — linebacking corp have extended both of whom had similar ties to game experience. But the veterans the Wildcat family. Last February, have faith in Kish and the rest of the COACHES, page 7 staff bringing in and teaching the

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Getting defensive

By Brian Kimball Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA head football coach Mike Stoops is known for his defenses, specifically in the defensive backfield.

Stoops played safety while at college in Iowa (1982-84) and defensive coordinator Mark Stoops suited up for the Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield as well (1986-88). While he was the defensive backs coach for the Miami Hurricanes, Mark Stoops helped the team to four straight Big East titles and a national championship (2001). Around the same time, Mike Stoops was the mastermind behind the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense during the team’s 2000 run to the national title.

So it should be no surprise that the 2009 version of the Arizona Wildcats’ secondary could be one of the strengths of the team.

“All of our guys are athletic — the whole team is pretty fast and everybody is good out there,” said starting cornerback Devin Ross. “But our defensive backs, everyone is fast, everyone is a good tackler and everyone’s an athlete, which is really good about our secondary.”

Alan Walsh/Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA safety Robert Golden tackles wide out Devin Veal during Fan Appreciation Day on Aug. 22 at Arizona Stadium.

Golden, who played sparingly at cornerback last year, will start the season at strong safety.

arizona daily wildcat • thursday, september 3, 2009 •

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Nelson, Ross anchor secondary full of changes Senior Cam Nelson is set to start the season at free safety after playing strong safety last season.

His move allowed the UA coaching staff to move sophomore Robert Golden to the starting strong safety spot after playing him sparingly last year as a cornerback. Mark Stoops views the position changes as a plus, pointing out that Nelson started his career at the UA as a cornerback as well.

“They develop quickness and they develop some man-to-man skills (at cornerback),” Mark Stoops said.“They’re on a little bit more of an island their first year and then, as they move to safety, they’re a little bit more athletic safety.”

And that’s exactly what Golden’s teammates see in the 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Fresno, Calif. In fact, Golden has embraced the challenge of switching positions.

“I feel that it’s a positive on my end to play corner and safety. I like it a lot and it doesn’t bother me at all,”Golden said.“I tried to contribute to the team as much as I could my freshman year. Now that they’re giving me the opportunity to shine on the football field during an 11-on-11 game, I feel a lot more comfortable and I want to get out there and make plays for the team.”

Another player who earned a starting spot by being a solid contributor last season and working hard in the offseason is redshirt sophomore Trevin Wade.

Despite playing on just 28 snaps last season, Wade tied for the team lead with four interceptions. This year, Wade will start out the year as a starting cornerback opposite Ross, the lone member of the secondary who played in the same position last season.

Ross, a senior, was a steady force on the UA defense last season. Few Wildcats will forget his interception return for a score against then-No. 25 California to seal a 42-27 Arizona win. Coaches are looking for Ross to be one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball and he certainly has the experience to help the rest of the secondary improve.

“Being a starter last year, I just try to come out and lead the secondary,” Ross said. “I sat behind two NFL corners, Wilrey Fontenot and Antoine Cason, so I know a lot about the defense and learned from those two guys.”

With Nelson, Golden, Wade and Ross holding down the four starting spots in the secondary, that leaves a slew of others who could contribute in spot duty. Safeties Joe Perkins and Brandon Tatum, cornerbacks Marcus Benjamin and Mike Turner, and nickelback Corey Hall have all played well throughout summer and fall camps and could see significant playing time this year.

But no matter who lines up in the Wildcats’ defensive backfield, players and coaches alike are confident that this group has the potential to be one of the stingier units in the Pacific 10 Conference.

“I think we’ll be a better secondary, I really do.

Much like a year ago when we replaced players, generally speaking, we’re replacing them with better players right now,”Mark Stoops said.“I love the guys who are playing. They lack a little bit of experience, but they have a lot of talent and I don’t look for any drop-off at all.”

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• thursday, september 3, 2009 • arizona daily wildcat

Running backs’ time to shine Pressure falls on UA’s offensive backfield for success in ‘09

By Bobby Stover Arizona Daily Wildcat

Mcihael Ignatov/Arizona Daily Wildcat

Arizona running back Keola Antolin races downfield during a 19-17 UA loss to Oregon State on Nov. 22, 2008 at Arizona Stadium. When Antolin enters the game for starter Nic Grigsby, coaches don’t expect a drop off in production.

The 2008 season was then-quarterback Willie Tuitama’s time to shine. He was the leader of the Pacific 10 Conference’s thirdranked passing offense, which averaged 244 yards per game and produced 24 touchdown passes on the year.

Arizona’s rushing attack could not keep up the pace — its rushing offense finished fifth in the conference with 158 yards per game and ball control issues plagued starting running back Nic Grigsby all season.

In 2009, Tuitama is gone and questions surround the quarterback position as two players with no starts under their belts vie for the starting role. Meanwhile, the Wildcats did not lose any of their running backs and even added to their depth with talented redshirt freshman Greg Nwoko. “There’s really (three) guys who have done a good job this spring carrying the football,� said running backs coach Seth Littrell.“There will be one guy who everyone perceives as the starter and that’s OK. But when it’s all said and done, there’s probably going to be three starters out there on the field.�

Arizona’s preseason depth chart lists Littrell’s potential“three starters�as Grigsby, Nwoko and sophomore Keola Antolin.

After redshirting his freshman season, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Nwoko was impressive during fall camp with his power. That strength was evident in the team’s final scrimmage, when Nwoko ran over safety Robert Golden on one of his three carries. The freshman finished the night with a team-high 54 yards. “Greg Nwoko continues to shine and

show what a physical runner he can be,� head coach Mike Stoops said following the scrimmage. “We just need to keep giving him (repetitions) but I feel really good about our running back position.�

While Arizona appears to have its power running back, Antolin will look to fit into the Wildcats’ offensive scheme as part of their speed attack. At just 5-foot-8 and 186 pounds, the sophomore saw significant playing time in 2008, carrying the ball 117 times and racking up 525 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Antolin’s biggest advantage comes from his small size and ability to sneak his way through holes en route to big gains. However, the sophomore admits that sometimes his size became detrimental last season. “I’m trying to get bigger so I can last a little longer in the season,� Antolin said. “I felt I was running out of gas at the end (of last season) but I feel good now. Last year I was new to (the college game) so I didn’t really know what was going on, but now I feel more comfortable in myself.�

With a strong supporting staff, Arizona’s most seasoned all-around running back, Grigsby, is looking to distance himself from his reputation as a player who couldn’t hold on to the football in 2008. But despite a nagging fumbling problem, the now-junior still finished fifth in the conference in rushing with nearly 89 yards per game and 13 scores on the year.

For the Wildcats to be successful this season, however, Arizona will need a more mature and less fumble-prone running back to take pressure off the young quarterbacks during their growing pains.

Grigsby said he has focused on his ballhanding abilities this off-season and expects

Alan Walsh/Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA running back Greg Nwoko lowers his shoulder during Fan Appreciation Day on Aug. 22 at Arizona Stadium. Nwoko, a redshirt freshman, could see playing time this year as the third-string halfback.

himself to be a better overall back this season. “The ball hasn’t been on the ground all camp,�Gigsby said.“It’s a growing-up thing.

You have to grow up every year and get better. But I’m ready and I just want to be a great team player and provide for my team anyway I can.�

Arizona starting running back Nic Grigsby bolts down the field during a 48-14 UA win against Washington on Oct. 4, 2008 at Arizona Stadium. Grigsby will lead the Wildcats’ three-headed running attack this season as he enters the year UA’s starting tail back.

Michael Ignatov/ Arizona Daily Wildcat

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arizona daily wildcat • thursday, september 3, 2009 •

UA stocked with pass-catching options

By Tim Kosch ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT Critics of the Arizona offense might say that replacing Mike Thomas, the Pacific 10 Conference’s all-time leading receiver, is too tall of a task. They also might say that there isn’t one player who can replace the production of the senior who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Those opinions are probably correct in that no single receiver on the Arizona roster will grab 74 balls for 825 yards like Thomas did last year, but Arizona has plenty of options to replace his production.

While there may not be one superstar, there are five proven receivers.

On the outside, senior Terrell Turner and junior Delashaun Dean will use their tall frames and deceptive speed to give quarterbacks a reliable option.

“They’re both great players that bring a lot to the table,” said outside receivers coach Dave Nichol . “A lot of people have Turner pegged as a possession guy and Dean pegged as our freak athlete guy, but I think they both share the same qualities and are well-rounded receivers.”

What’s been a pleasant surprise to the UA coaching staff is that several other outside receivers stepped up in camp because of a minor hamstring injury that kept Dean out for a considerable amount of time. Dean’s seven catches for 88 yards and a touchdown in the

Las Vegas Bowl showed why many feel he is a potential superstar. While the 6-foot-4 product of Fairfield (Calif.)

High School was comfortably in control of the “Z” receiver position last season, other players got a chance to show what they were worth during his injury. Most notably Juron Criner.

“Personally I had to come out and make big plays (in Dean’s absence) but a lot of guys stepped up in camp and made plays,”Turner said.“Especially my man right here, Juron Criner.”

Now imagine standing next to the 6-foot-2 Turner, a big guy for a wide receiver, and then being directed to a 6-foot-4, 210-pound mountain of a sophomore who has spent the past few months under the tutelage of a savvy vet like Turner.

“Overall I did well,” Criner said when looking back on his summer camp performance. “There’s still room for improvement, but I’m excited to play and help this team.”

At the inside receiver position, that same task of replacing Mike Thomas seems to be in good hands.

Sophomore William “Bug” Wright has been drawing comparisons to Thomas since he arrived in Tucson — everything from his speed, hands and returning abilities all the way down to his 5-foot-9 frame .

The competition for starting slot receiver was listed as open in the spring, but Wright took full control of the position within minutes of the first practice and hasn’t looked back.

UA tight end Rob Gronkowski sprints past a Washington State defender during a 48-20 Arizona win on Sept. 29, 2007 at Arizona Stadium.

Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in the country and is the Wildcats’ biggest offensive threat.

Alan Walsh/ Arizona Daily Wildcat

“Bug Wright has done some really great things for us,” said head coach Mike Stoops . “He’s very quick and very good with the ball.”

You can expect to see Wright with the ball in a multitude of ways — catching, running the ball on reverses and options and returning punts and kicks. Such responsibilities require one thing: speed. Fortunately for the Wildcats, that’s something Wright has a lot of.

“Play fast,” Wright said when asked to describe his game. “I’m usually the smallest guy on the field so I just try to use my speed and quickness and play fast like my hair is on fire.”

Wright, combined with Dean and Turner, form one of the most respectable receiving units in the Pac10. Add a deep running back group and tight end Rob Gronkowski to the mix and the Wildcats have the potential to continue last year’s efficient offense, regardless of who winds up at quarterback.

The only problem about having so many offensive options is that it’s difficult to get each one enough touches. But ask any coach in America and that’s a problem they would love to have.

“We go four or five deep (at receiver)” Stoops said. “We have better depth at receiver and we feel like we have some complimentary pieces at the receiver position that should help us.”

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Arizona wide receiver Delashaun Dean stretches to make a catch during a 41-16 UA win against Toledo on Sept. 6, 2008 at Arizona Stadium.

Dean is one of the Wildcats’ best wide outs and enters the season as the UA’s main deep threat.

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By Brian Kimball ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT Any defensive coordinator in the Pacific-10 Conference knows what the most difficult part of the Arizona football team’s offense is: junior tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Last season, Gronkowski posted huge numbers as a sophomore despite missing the first three games with mononucleosis. He tied for the team lead with 10 touchdown grabs to go along with his 627 yards on 47 catches — all single-season school records for a tight end.

“He’s the kind of a guy where you’re going to have to use unbelievable technique, and you’re going to have to play a really good game to shut him down,” said tight end coach Seth Littrell.

To try and get even more out of Gronkowski during his junior campaign, UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes visited the Dallas Cowboys during the offseason to learn more about how they use their stud tight end Jason Witten.

“What I learned is just the importance of the quarterback understanding where the receivers are going to be,”Dykes said.“Whether it’s the tight end, the inside receiver or the outside guy.

“Witten is (Dallas quarterback Tony) Romo’s best friend, so he’s going to throw a lot of balls to him,” he added. “That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve learned, is to get Robbie to take (Arizona’s quarterbacks) out to dinner.”

But Littrell has seen Gronkowski take a different route. Even with Gronkowski missing the bulk of fall camp with a lingering back injury — and being off limits to the media as a result — UA coaches have been noticing the effort level Gronkowski has been bringing to workouts despite being temporarily hobbled. Because as good as Gronkowski is now, Littrell said he can still get better.

“He comes out here each and every day and works hard, and he knows he has a lot of stuff to work on. He’s not where he needs to be right now,” Littrell said. “But his physical attributes, he’s got all that. Now he just needs to work on fine-tuning a lot of little things.”

And as soon as Gronkowski gets the green light to return to his full role on the team, and if he continues to get better, that could be a frightening prospect to opposing defenses around the Pac-10.

“Robbie’s got to work on coming on and staying consistent every game,” Littrell said. “I think when he does that, when he comes out and he plays really well and he’s focused in, then he’s going to be hard to stop.”

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• thursday, september 3, 2009 • arizona daily wildcat

Staff Picks

Kevin Zimmerman

Brian Kimball

sports editor

Tim Kosch

staff writer

Bobby Stover

staff writer

staff writer

How will Arizona Finish?

Last year’s record might have set expectations a little too high. An out-of-conference schedule of Central Michigan, NAU and Iowa makes last season’s Idaho, Toledo and New Mexico lineup look like using a puppy instead of a pickup line. Arizona is improved across the board, but they’re lacking star power after losing players to the NFL. 7-5, Las Vegas Bowl

Depending on how the ball bounces, the Wildcats could play in a January bowl game or stay home for the holidays.

They have a tough schedule and there are questions on both sides of the ball, but this group is playing with more chips on its collective shoulder than Humpty Dumpty. Arizona should find itself in the top half of the conference at season’s end.

8-4, Sun Bowl

This is one of the most intriguing seasons in Wildcats history. The team is fresh off its first bowl victory in a decade and possibly has more talent than last years’ team. But that talent is merely potential and they don’t have a quarterback. The lack of a QB has put the ‘Cats on the backburner of the national spotlight, but there’s something about this team.

8-4, Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

There is a reason Mike Stoops has yet to name a starter at quarterback and it’s not because Nick Foles and Matt Scott have both been impressive. In fact, Arizona coaches have hinted at quite the opposite. This can’t be positive and even though the Wildcat’s defense should be stellar, Arizona’s running game will be the team’s only chance of seeing the postseason.

6-6, Hawaii Bowl

Team MVP In this case, Arizona found a diamond in its own rough. Sabino High School product Brooks Reed is the big name at the defensive end position. Lion mane and all, he’ll be the biggest factor on the Wildcat defense. He has the speed and power that any coach drools over, but it’s his never-ending aggressiveness that will make his game so dominating.

Brooks Reed

Just looking at Rob Gronkowski can be intimidating. Imagine Juggernaut from X-Men roaming the football field, but as a fast, 6-foot-6, 265-pound beast of a man AND he’s wearing full pads.

In 2007, Gronkowski scored a touchdown after concussing a Washington State player just because the Cougar defensive back tried to make a tackle. Do you understand how ridiculous that is?

Rob Gronkowski

Delashaun Dean is legit. He’s tall, he’s fast and he has great hands. His coaches refer to him as a “freak athlete.” Without any marquee receivers in the Pac-10, this is Dean’s chance to bust out and be a star. Look for Dean to come up big in the first few weeks while opposing teams key on tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Delashaun Dean

Even though he had a disappointing end to last season, look for linebacker Sterling Lewis to come up big in 2009. Last season the senior played in only 10 games but recorded 59 tackles with a sack, forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lewis missed out on the team’s last three games in 2009 due to an injury and a team issued suspension, but will be hungry to perform in his senior season.

Sterling Lewis

Upset Mike Stoops won a lot of games while playing for legendary head coach Hayden Fry at Iowa. The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll, but they just learned they will be without running back Jewel Hampton and his injured knee.

Offensively, the Hawkeyes want to pound the ball, but without their starter, they could be in trouble against the Wildcats.

Arizona beats Iowa

Mike Stoops’ troops have made a name for themselves with strong showings late in the season. By the time the last portion of the season rolls around, the QB situation should be well past the Wildcats. Couple all of that with California’s tendency to tank late in the year and the Nov. 14 trip to Berkeley could be where the Wildcats upset fans of the Golden Bears.

Arizona beats California

The Trojans are starting a freshman at quarterback, they basically have an entirely new defense and they have two new coordinators. Arizona seems to be blossoming at every position, but since USC is the last game of the year, the situation has plenty of time to sort itself out. UA on the way up, USC on the way down? Why not?

Arizona beats USC

Due to its status as a non-BCS school, Central Michigan will likely enter Saturday’s contest the underdog. After making it to the postseason the past three seasons the Chippewas are not a team to be overlooked. Also, Arizona historically has at least one collapse against mid-major schools early in the year under Mike Stoops. The potential for the upset is there.

Central Michigan beats Arizona

X-Factor The potential was always there and entering his junior year, wide receiver Delashaun Dean will most likely be the best offensive player overshadowed by tight end Rob Gronkowski’s.

He’s tall, athletic and has the flash of Chad Ochocinco, but without the poorly-phrased Spanish last name. Now, he’ll get more balls thrown his way without a dominant slot receiver like Mike Thomas on the team.

Delashaun Dean

The easy choice here is the quarterback dilemma, but I don’t see it that way. The big boys who block for the QBs will be the key to the Wildcats’ season. Players are relatively inexperienced at their respective positions entering the season, but coaches think this group could be better than last year’s unit with star left tackle Eben Britton. If this group can protect as well as a Trojan MAGNUM, it won’t make a difference who’s under center.

Offensive line

With a plethora of capable receivers, three quality running backs and an All-American tight end, the Wildcats are stacked on offense. It almost doesn’t seem like there’s room for anyone on the offense, but that’s where Arizona’s secret weapon comes in – Chris Gronkowski. Rob’s brother is one of the hardest working players on the team, refining his routes after practice to add to his above-average blocking.

Chris Gronkowski

Arizona’s passing attack is bursting with questions, but one constant the Wildcats have seen offensively throughout the preseason is their running game. Arizona currently has three running backs who the coaches have called “potential starters.” Junior Nic Grigsby will likely lead the charge while underclassmen Keola Antolin and Greg Nwoko will each provide their own brand of speed and power. Arizona will need to heavily rely on its ground game to be successful.

Running Game

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arizona daily wildcat • thursday, september 3, 2009 •

Senior LBs looking to make name for themselves

Michael Ignatov/ Arizona Daily Wildcat

Littrell, Chachere bring continuity to UA staff

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The other new face on the sideline this year is inside receivers coach Garret Chachere. The 18-year coaching veteran also holds connections with Dykes back from when the two were offensive coaches at Northeast Louisiana University in 1998.

Despite only being with the team for a matter of months, both new coaches commented on the positive atmosphere surrounding the Arizona coaching staff and the high expectations the team has after a breakthrough season last year.

“I think the coaching staff is probably the best I’ve been around,” Chachere said. “There’s a lot of experience and a lot of enthusiasm. One of the important things about a coaching staff is that your players react and perform, and these players really do perform well for their coaches.”

OFF

Seth Littrell joined the staff to oversee the running backs and tight ends. Littrell came to Arizona after four years at Texas Tech where he worked with current Wildcat offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes. The former running back also has ties to Mike Stoops after playing college ball for the University of Oklahoma when the Arizona boss was the defensive coordinator of the team.

Littrell has a wealth of talent to work with this season as junior Nic Grigsby returns as a 1,000-yard rusher in 2008, not to mention sophomore Keola Antolin and freshman Greg Nwoko backing him up.

“My connections to Arizona certainly played a big factor in me coming (to Tucson),”Littrell said.“But also, Mike Stoops is a great head coach and I’ve always respected him and wanted to work for him. So when he offered to bring me on to one of the best staffs in the

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continued from page 1

Arizona middle linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka prepares to catch the ball at a practice during fall camp. Tuihalamaka, Xavier Kelley and Sterling Lewis don’t have a lot of game experience, but UA coaches expect big things from the three senior linebackers.

One question surrounding the Wildcats’ linebackers this year will be depth. Each of the remaining seven linebackers are in his first year with the team and six are freshmen. The only non-freshman on the squad is C.J. Parish, a transfer from Blinn College. The 6-foot-2, 235 pound junior is expected to bring speed to the middle linebacker position with his 40-yard dash time at 4.5 seconds.

Outside of Parish, freshman Jake Fischer earned accolades from his coaches throughout summer and fall camps and has been mentioned by head coach Mike Stoops as one of the underclassmen expected to earn playing time early this year.

Other freshmen will likely see game action as the season moves along and depth becomes a factor.

Thus far, the young linebackers are already maturing, hoping to add to Arizona’s defensive success.

“I think (the younger guys) are coming along really well,” Parish said.

“Everyone’s talking to each other and trying to find time to watch film and figure out the different (defensive) schemes and things like that.

“We have some great linebackers in front of us right now, and we get to learn from them all year,” he added. “We’re just looking to soak that up and be ready to go when we get that call.”

Swan

If career statistics defined players, then the Arizona linebacking corp wouldn’t look like much. On paper, the squad enters the 2009 season with only three players who have competed in an NCAA Division I game and have just 13 starts between them.

Luckily for the Wildcats, stats don’t tell the whole story.

Arizona is expected to start three seniors at the linebacker position: Sterling Lewis, Xavier Kelley and Vuna Tuihalamaka. While none have significant starting experience, all three have impressive athletic ability and are expected to fill the shoes of graduated counterparts Ronnie Palmer and Adrian McCovy.

“I’m excited about the linebackers this year,” said defensive coordinator Mark Stoops. “Maybe they didn’t play too much last year, but they’ve been in the mix. They know what they’re doing, and they’re explosive players, so I feel good about them.”

The most seasoned veteran on the squad is Kelley, who has seen game time in each of the last three years.

His playing time significantly increased in 2008 when he started in eight games, racking up 51 tackles and a trio of sacks.

Kelley is the only player in

Arizona’s linebacking corp with three years of Division I experience.

The other two seniors, Lewis and Tuihalamaka, joined the Wildcats following junior college stints.

For both players, last season was their first exposure to Pacific 10 Conference football, but that did not stop either from making immediate impacts.

Despite not starting a single game, Tuihalamaka played in all 13 contests and made 23 tackles, mostly in special teams duty. Meanwhile, Lewis started five games last season before being sidelined with an ankle injury late in the year. Prior to his injury, Lewis made a tremendous impact on Arizona’s defensive unit by making 59 tackles in 10 games — including a team-high 12 in the Wildcats’ 41-16 blowout win against Toledo when he replaced an injured Kelley.

While the trio of seniors may not be the most experienced unit in the Pac-10, 2008 showed that each player brings a lot of talent. “(As seniors) it means that everyone’s looking up to us. We can’t make any mistakes; there’s no room for that,” Lewis said. “Each of us have our own set of attributes and we work around them, but we all have the ability to go out and do some good things this year.”

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• thursday, september 3, 2009 • arizona daily wildcat

2009 Arizona Wildcats’

Football schedule

Game 1 — Central Michigan

Arizona Stadium Game Day: Sept. 5, 7 p.m. MST 2008 Record: 8-5 (6-2 MidAmerican Conference) Key Players: QB Dan LeFevour, WR Antonio Brown Quick Hit: This is not the 70-0 cakewalk that Idaho was in last year’s season opener. This game isn’t even a guaranteed win. LeFevour is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and he has a crop of receivers who can make plays. This should be a stern opening test for the Wildcats.

Last Meeting: First ever meeting All-Time series: First ever meeting

Game 2 — Northern Arizona

Arizona Stadium Game Day: Sept. 12, 7 p.m. MST 2008 Record: 6-5 (4-4 Big Sky) Key Players: LB Cody Dowd, TE Shaun Fitzpatrick, RB Alex Henderson Quick Hit: Despite being the 21st-ranked Football Championship Subdivision team, Northern Arizona gives the Wildcats its first — and possibly only — “easy” victory. Coaches will tell you that no game is easy, but the ’Cats need this game to get ready for a difficult rest of the season.

Last Meeting: Arizona 45, NAU 24 (Arizona Stadium, 2007) All-Time series: Arizona, 9-1

Game 3 — Iowa

Game 4 — OSU

Game 5 — Washington

Game 6 — Stanford

Arizona Stadium Game Day: Oct. 17, 4 p.m. MST 2008 Record: 5-7 (4-5 Pac-10, tied for sixth) Key Players: RB Toby Gerhart, DT Ekom Udofia, OT Chris Marinelli Quick Hit: Arizona’s first home conference game should be a victory, but the Cardinal can’t be overlooked as evidenced by last year’s one-point Cardinal win. Toby Gerhart is a tough, powerful back who epitomizes what Stanford football is all about. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is an up-an-coming star and as he’s shown during his tenure, the Cardinal can pull off an upset.

Last Meeting: Stanford 24, Arizona 23 (Palo Alto, 2008) All-Time Series: Arizona, 13-11

Game 7 — UCLA

Arizona Stadium Game Day: Oct. 24, 4 p.m. MST 2008 Record: 4-8 (3-6 Pac-10, eighth) Key Players: CB Alterraun Verner, LB Reggie Carter, WR/KR Terrence Austin Quick Hit: Last year was a struggle for UCLA in Rick Neuheisel’s first season as head coach, but the program is on the rise. The Bruins have a lot of talent on defense that should keep them in games, and depth at tight end and wide receiver in a Neuheisel offense is potentially dangerous.

Last Meeting: Arizona 31, UCLA 10 (Pasadena, 2008) All-Time Series: UCLA, 19-12-2

Game 8 — Washington State

Game 9 — California

Game 10 — Oregon

Game 11 — ASU

Game 12 — USC

Husky Stadium, Seattle Game Day: Oct. 10, TBA 2008 Record: 0-12 (0-9 Pac-10, tenth place) Key Players: QB Jake Locker, DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, WR D’Andre Goodwin Quick Hit: With a first-time head coach entering his first year, Washington is expected to stay in the basement of the Pac-10, but this game will be no easy task. The Huskies have talent on offense, and Jake Locker is a dual-threat who is difficult to contain.

The last time Locker played the Wildcats was in 2007 and he lit them up for 336 passing yards and 157 rushing yards.

Last Meeting: Arizona 48, Washington 14 (Arizona Stadium, 2008) All-Time Series: Washington 16-8-1 Memorial Stadium, Berkeley Game Day: Nov. 14, TBA 2008 Record: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-10, fourth) Key Players: RB Jahvid Best, LB Mike Mohamed, CB Syd’Quan

Thompson Quick Hit: The Golden Bears are one of the favorites to finally unseat USC as Pac-10 champions. Jahvid Best is arguably the best running back in the nation and has become a dark horse candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. Best and backup running back Shane Vereen gives Cal a scary backfield tandem, and its secondary is widely regarded among best in the conference.

Last Meeting: Arizona 42, California 27 (Arizona Stadium, 2008) All-Time Series: Tied, 13-13-2

Arizona Stadium Game Day: Nov. 21, TBA 2008 Record: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-10, tied for second) Key Players: QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB LeGarrette Blount, SS TJ Ward Quick Hit: Oregon not only has a chance to win the Pac-10, they have a chance to make it to the BCS title game. Jeremiah Masoli blossomed into a superstar last year, and some NFL Draft experts believe that running back LeGarrette Blount could be a first-round pick when he enters the draft. If a team is going to unseat USC at the top, the Ducks might have the best chance.

Last Meeting: Oregon 55, Arizona 45 (Eugene, 2008) All-Time Series: Oregon, 20-14

Offensive line

Michael Ignatov/ Arizona Daily Wildcat

’Cats boast formidable five-man offensive front Last season, the focus of the Arizona offensive line was on left tackle Eben Britton, and rightfully so.

Britton was thought to be one of the top offensive linemen in all of college football, and he was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because Britton was such a talent, he overshadowed the other players on the Wildcats’ offensive front.

“He just got a lot of praise because he was one hell of a player, but this year everybody is playing together,”said left tackle Mike Diaz.“We played together last year too, but he stuck out like a sore thumb because he was a man playing with children.”

But this year’s group of Arizona offensive linemen has the potential to be better as a whole than last year’s group, according to offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh. With Diaz — who played at left guard last season — playing at left tackle, other players have an opportunity to step up. Redshirt senior Adam Grant is healthy and performing well at right tackle, and sophomore Vaughn Dotsy had a good summer and fall camp at right guard. But the play of another right guard, Conan Amituanai, could be the most pleasant surprise, especially considering the way the unit has jelled since spring practices.

“The thing about this group is the chemistry.

They’re great guys to be around, they’re fun to work with, they want to be great and they all hang out together. That’s what you have to do as an offensive line,”Bedenbaugh said.“You have to trust each other. I don’t know that we have anyone stand out right now, I think all five of them are solid.”

At 6-foot-4 and 335 pounds, Amituanai was

Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe Game Day: Nov. 28, TBA 2008 Record: 5-7 (4-5 Pac-10, tied for sixth) Key Players: DE Dexter Davis, WR Chris McGaha, DT Lawrence Guy Quick Hit: Records go out the window when Arizona takes on Arizona State in the Duel in the Desert. Both teams are projected to finish in the middle of the Pac-10, but the energy in Sun Devil Stadium should be high enough to give the game a BCS feel. Going into enemy territory is a tough task for anyone, especially a first-year QB. Last Meeting: Arizona 31, Arizona State 10 (Arizona Stadium, 2008) All-Time Series: Arizona, 45-36-1

Reser Stadium, Corvallis Game Day: Sept. 26, TBA 2008 Record: 9-4 (7-2 Pacific 10 Conference, tied for second) Key Players: RB Jacquizz Rodgers, WR James Rodgers, QB Lyle Moevao Quick Hit: Last year’s surprise team in the Pac-10 returns its core in 2009 in what people in Corvallis expect to be a year with Rose Bowl potential. Jacquizz Rodgers burst onto the scene in the Beavers’ upset of USC last year and used the rest of the season to prove it was no fluke. Arizona will find out what they’re made of early with a difficult opening to its conference season.

Last Meeting: Oregon State 19, Arizona 17 (Arizona Stadium, 2008) All-Time Series: Arizona, 20-11-1

Arizona Stadium Game Day: Nov. 7, 4 p.m. MST 2008 Record: 2-11 (1-8 Pac-10, ninth) Key Players: WR Jeshua Anderson, OT Kenny Alfred, SS Chima Nwachukwu Quick Hit: Arizona is fortunate to have this game at this point in the season. The Wildcats have a potentially devastating final four games, so a contest against the Cougars should give Stoops and Co. one final tuneup before the stretch run.

Last Meeting: Arizona 59, Washington State 28 (Pullman, 2008) All-Time Series: Arizona, 23-13

Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles Game Day: Dec. 5, 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. PST 2008 Record: 12-1 (8-1 Pac-10, first) Key Players: FS Taylor Mays, WR Damian Williams, RB Joe McKnight Quick Hit: After losing lots of talent on defense and replacing Mark Sanchez with a true freshman in Matt Barkley, this is supposed to be a down year for USC. But Pete Carroll is one of the best recruiters in the nation, and even with losing several players to the draft the Trojans still have loads of talent. The final regular season game of the year for both teams on national TV gives Arizona a chance to take the spotlight, but that is a tall task.

Last Meeting: USC 17, Arizona 10 (Arizona Stadium, 2008) All-Time Series: USC, 26-6

Defensive line

Arizona starting center Colin Baxer (64) hovers over the ball at a practice during fall camp.

Baxter is starting his full year at center for the Wildcats’ offensive line, which coaches say has the potential to better than last year’s group.

By Brian Kimball ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT

Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City Game Day: Sept. 19, 1:35 p.m. MST 2008 Record: 9-4 (5-3 Big Ten Conference) Key Players: OT Bryan Bulaga, LB Pat Angerer, CB Amari Spivey Quick Hit: A skillful, finesse Pac-10 team going up against a smash-mouth, physical Big 10 team. Throw in Mike and Mark Stoops returning to where they played in college and this should be a fascinating matchup. Iowa was dealt a huge blow when running back Jewel Hampton was lost for the season with a knee injury, but going into a hostile environment without knowing what to expect could pose a problem for Arizona.

Last Meeting: Arizona 35, Iowa 11 (Iowa City, 1998) All-Time Series: Arizona, 6-5

recruited to play defensive line or tight end, but two years ago he started learning how to play offensive line.Throughout summer and fall camp, Amituanai’s hard work paid off and he worked his way into the starting lineup at left guard — at least for now.

“So far I’m starting but Coach Bill has always told me that the spots are never for sure; I could lose it in a minute if I don’t come focused the next day,”Amituanai said.“Coach Bill’s biggest thing is that we all have to be prepared. We never know when our time is coming, and we just have to be prepared every day because you never know what’s going to happen.”

An example of that would be last year’s 31-10 Arizona win at UCLA. UA starting center Blake Kerley was knocked out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, forcing Colin Baxter to switch from guard to center. Baxter, now a junior, excelled at center for the remaining nine games of the season and will lead this year’s offensive line as the unit’s starting center.

“I’m in … more of a leadership role now,”Baxter said of starting his first full season at center for the Wildcats.

“I’ve been around and I’m one of the more experienced guys, so I have to take on more a leadership role.

But also that kind of comes with being a center.”

Baxter, despite having limited playing time at center, was named to the 2009 Rimington Trophy watchlist — an award given out annually to the nation’s top center. But he won’t bask in the limelight and neither will any of his teammates.

That’s not the way Bedenbaugh coaches.

“I don’t worry about attention. If we play good, and we get the yards and we protect the quarterback, it’s going to be fine,”Bedenbaugh said.“The thing about this group is that it’s five guys who have to do their job. It doesn’t matter how good one guy is because if the other four aren’t good, then it doesn’t matter.”

Depth to bolster unit

By Tim Kosch ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT

on the field at any given time.

“Rick and D’Aundre make a good 1-2 combination (at defensive end opposite of Reed),” Hammerschmidt added. “Ricky does a good job, he just needs to keep being consistent and he has done a good job of that and D’Aundre has been solid. When they get in there, they work great together.”

The rotation will help keep players fresher in the fourth quarter, and fresh legs combined with their athleticism should allow the Wildcats to put constant pressure on a quarterback late in the game.

It’ll also help the defensive line combat its possible biggest hindrance: size.

“Teams think that we’re a little bit light this year,” Reed said of the defensive line, which doesn’t have a starter listed heavier than 300 pounds.

But the knock on the group’s size hasn’t held it back. Instead, it has inspired the players.

“We’re taking all the respect that we don’t get and taking it personally,” Elmore said. “(Reed and I) bring a lot more experience, and (the defensive line) has a lot more overall depth and experience. We want to do twice as good as we did last year.

“Our D-line is pretty underrated,” he added.

“Just because our names aren’t out there doesn’t mean that we aren’t good.”

The first thing that jumps out about the 2009 Arizona defensive line is depth, followed shortly by athleticism. A fast defensive line coupled with a dependable two-deep rotation will keep opposing offensive coordinators from sleeping on a Friday night.

The unit, which has starting experience at all four positions, is led by juniors bookends Brooks Reed and Ricky Elmore, a tandem that combined for 12 sacks last season.

“We were both new starters (last year) so we have a lot more experience now,” Elmore said.

“We made personal commitments to work hard in the offseason and to come back and do twice as good as we did last year.”

One thing that will be at the defensive lines’ disposal this year will be 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle Lolomana Mikaele. The junior, who did not play last year because of an administrative issue, adds depth to a defensive tackle rotation that returns senior starters Earl Mitchell and Donald Horton.

“It feels so good to be back,” said a visibly excited Mikaele. “I feel like I’m ready to come out strong this year and be somebody.”

And Mikaele’s return to the field is welcomed by the UA coaches as well. “(Mikaele) brings toughness, he brings a lot of strength, explosiveness, and he’s really an excellent leader,” said defensive tackle coach Mike Tuiasosopo.

“He keeps our group together.

The younger guys look up to him and so do our older guys.”

Mikaele’s return to the field will be instrumental in stopping opposing rushing attacks, something that the unit worked hard to improve upon during the offseason.

“A lot of teams think we can pass rush but can’t play the run, but I think they’re wrong.”

Reed said. “I think our D-line can play both.”

The balance between defending the run and rushing the passer should be easier for the Wildcats this year because of the number of players that can produce on the line. Reed, Elmore, Horton and Mitchell will start but keep an eye out for Mikaele and defensive ends D’Aundre Reed and Apaiata Tuihalamaka to be on the field at anytime.

“You always have to have a roMike Christy/Arizona Daily Wildcat tation,” said defensive end coach Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed pursues former ASU quarterback Rudy Jeff Hammerschmidt. “We’re con- Carpenter during a 31-10 UA win at Arizona Stadium last season. Brooks has fident with all of those guys being emerged as a leader on and off the field for the Wildcats’ defensive line.