Arizona quarterback Kris Heavner was held to only 93 yards passing against UCLA last week. The sophomore has thrown for 748 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Arizona’s defense has the credentials to set limitations on the plans of Oregon’s potent offense. The Wildcats — picked in a preseason coaches poll to finish last in the Pacific-10 Conference — have improved their defense greatly as it is currently ranked No. 22 in the nation. Through five games this season, it has allowed an average of 18.4 points and 305.2 yards per game.
The combined record of Arizona’s previous opponents is 20-6, which includes No. 10 Wisconsin (6-0) and No. 11 Utah (5-0). Arizona’s defense held Wisconsin, Utah and UCLA to season lows in total offensive yards this season. So far, the Wildcats have kept all five opponents under their season average in total offense.
Last week, UCLA gained 348 yards and five touchdowns but only one score and 119 yards came on the ground. The Bruins earned a 37-17 victory even though star running back Maurice Drew was restricted to only 22 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Arizona (1-4 overall, 0-2 Pac-10) received big plays from its linebackers who tallied 21 tackles altogether in last week’s contest.
After starting the first four games of the season, senior linebacker Pat Howard was forced to sit out last week to nurse a hamstring injury. In his absence, linebackers Randy Sims and Kirk Johnson filled in. Johnson recorded a team-high seven tackles and Sims added six.
Linebacker Sean Jones was transformed from a fullback this season and is second on the team in tackles with 33, behind Lamon Means’ 35. Jones leads the league with three fumble recoveries.
Several of the Wildcats’ defensive linemen have also been absent from the rotation. Tackles Paul Philipp and Johnathan Turner have been plagued by injuries. Yaniv Barnett was suspended indefinitely.
Arizona’s defense was only able to get to UCLA quarterback Drew Olson twice last week. Olson completed 17 of 25 passes, which racked up 283 yards and four touchdowns. On average, the Wildcats only allow 195.6 yards per game.
Unpleasant past
Some gloomy chapters have been written recently in Arizona football’s history book. Last season, the Wildcats played both national champions, Louisiana State and USC, as well as seven other programs who were worthy of a bowl game.
Oregon leads this all-time series 17-12. The Ducks have won five straight games and nine of the last 10 contests. Arizona’s last defeat of Oregon came at home in 1998 when it held the Ducks to a field goal in the 38-3 victory.
The Wildcats are 3-7 at Autzen Stadium and the last visit was in 2000. Their last win came in 1986. Four of the last five games between these teams at Autzen Stadium have been decided by seven points or less.
In 2001, the Wildcats were 0-5 before their first league win. They did not get their first conference victory in 2002 until the seventh league contest and the sixth last year.
Moving up the list
Running back Mike Bell rushed for a season-high 134-yards on 21 carries against UCLA. He is now No. 14 on Arizona’s all-time career rushing list with 1,664 yards. Bell has averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his stint with the Wildcats. This season, Bell has two rushing touchdowns.
More losses
The Wildcats have one more empty spot on their roster after an athlete was shot at a party in Tucson, Ariz., last Sunday according to the Associated Press.
Freshman Sheldon Watts, an offensive lineman recruit, received two gunshot wounds to the chest. An argument broke out at the party and Watts was allegedly a random target in the line of fire. He was in critical condition after the shooting but is improving this week, according to The Associated Press.
McCollins Umeh, another freshman recruit, died earlier this year during a voluntary training camp session. He collapsed, possibly because of heat exhaustion, and died of an enlarged heart. Umeh was 18 years old.
New hardware
Arizona has adapted a color other than the standard white for its helmets. This season, the squad is sporting a blue coated helmet and face mask with the same logo on the side.
The Arizona program has never worn a helmet in one solid color. Old photographs show that classic helmets may have been painted red on top with blue on the flanks. All other helmets in the past have only come in shades of red and white.
