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| | Sunday, September 3 Cats hope to claw their way back | |||||
| By Ed Graney Special to ESPN.com Season notes: 1999 record: 6-6, 3-5. Coach: Dick Tomey. Starters returning: 11 (7 offense, 4 defense). Outlook: Over the years, Arizona has developed a tradition of playing excellent defense. "That tradition took a vacation last year," Tomey said. "We were overrated. It was the worst job of coaching we've ever done here. We slipped in our discipline and approach." The task is to regroup after a season that began with a No. 3 national ranking, but plummeted with an embarrassing 41-7 loss to Penn State on opening day. Tomey insists the lost defense will find its way home, led by veterans Joe Tafoya (6-4, 255 senior end) and Keoni Fraser (6-1, 282-pound junior tackle). The two-quarterback system of recent times is gone with Keith Smith's departure, handing complete control to athletic senior Ortege Jenkins. He will stand behind a veteran line (four of five starters return) but no longer has the luxury of handing off to Trung Canidate or tossing middle screens to Dennis Northcutt. Their replacements (Leon Callen at running back and Bobby Wade at receiver) are promising, but the key is Jenkins (3,777 career passing yards, 33 TDs) making correct decisions. Two years ago, the Wildcats went 12-1 and threw 12 interceptions. Last season, they were 6-6 and threw 13 picks. Translation: Consistency must come in the red zone. Keep an eye on: Wade. He is equally as dangerous at cornerback and receiver. The sophomore (5-11, 180) isn't as explosive as Northcutt yet, but his spring game numbers (three receptions for 41 yards, interception, 83-yard fumble return for TD) scream of big-time ability. He also will return kicks. It's a good season if: The Wildcats finish among the league's top five or six teams and earn a bowl berth. Jenkins is as exciting a player as the conference has, but the odds of Arizona improving enough defensively to challenge for anything more than six wins aren't good. And even six might be a stretch. Ed Graney covers college football for the San Diego Union Tribune. |
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