Odds and Ends for the End of 2006

As 2006 draws to a close, here are a few Wildcat items that are worth mentioning:

• Cats win 11 straight -- the Lopez twins look to be force for Stanford, but Arizona's experience and speed do in the Cardinal.  Barry Tompkins and Dan Belluomini be damned - they are such homers for Cal and Stanford.
• Hug-a-Lute -- I did notice Lute give Shakur a hug when Staf came to the bench yesterday, but I didn't realize what a big deal it was at the time.
• Oh so close -- AZ's 14-point win failed to cover the spread by 1/2 point.  In the Memphis game the spread was met exactly.  What kind of crystal ball do those point-spread guys have, anyway?
• Gilbert Arenas still cracks me up --  Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, who sometimes watches infomercials to pass the time in his hotel room: "The last thing I bought was this colon cleanser. I just got talked into it. I'm like, 'Man, he makes it sound so good.' "
• Mike Bell does us proud -- not bad for an undrafted free agent rookie.  And check out the photographer's name....
• It's the chemistry, man -- Less drama, better basketball.  And more wins.  I like it!
• Sneak preview of Air Raid -- With Sonny Dykes bringing his spread offense to UA from Texas Tech, it was of special interest to watch the Insight Bowl the other night.  Can he pull it off here?
• Nice wrap-up -- late Christmas presents to Wildcats.

Happy New Year, and Bear Down!

Cat Fight!

Cat fight in Tucson tonight, as the Houston Cougars venture into McKale to take on the Cats.  The obscene starting time of 8:00p locally, coupled with the Christmas break for students, could  mean a lower-than-normal turnout for the game.  Damn that contract with Fox Sports!  Anyway, there will still be more fans in attendance that at your typical Tempe Normal game.  Hey - maybe we'll get to see some bench play.

• Next up - Memphis.  One of the week's top games, at least in this guy's perspective.
• Iggy, Iggy - Interesting 1-on-1 with Andre.  Can he be the man for the 76er's now tha AI is riding the pine?
• Two brothers, one play - isn't it crazy how that blown call in the Oregon-Oklahoma game cost both the Cats and the Sooners?
• DE bookend - "Sandman II" commits to UA football.  Keep 'em coming, Mikey.
• A legend comes home - When Mike Bell returns to Glendale today as the Broncos play the Cards he'll be coming home to his roots.  Good job, Mike.

Bear Down.

Thanks, Sparky!

Great Hire for ASU !

It won't be long before ASU football will be on NCAA probation... half its football players in jail or court ..and their new coach in jail for a DUI.

More reaction here from some Idaho fans. This should be fun to watch, kitties.

'Zoning In

As the Cats prepare to take on the SDSU Aztecs tomorrow at Cox Arena, here's some light reading to hold you over until then:
Hometown Hero -- read all about Chase, a native of pretty Encinitas. Sweet.
Sonny Boy -- Sonny Dykes takes over the reigns of the football offense. Do we want it more offensive or less offensive than the 2006 version? Throw it long, Sonny.
He was there -- at the Jimmy V Classic, MSG. How was the popcorn?
Lute to retire? -- Nope. Not for some time, anyway.
Goins gone -- DB recruit reneges to head for Cheeseland. Adios.

What a difference a week makes

Last weekend, we were drowning our sorrows in a cup of decaf over the Cats loss to Tempe Normal in the final football game of the year. Bad enough that the Territorial Cup has to stay on that dingy campus for one more year, but now the Sparkettes are looking for a new head coach. Jeez, I was hoping their win would get him at least one more season in the Valley of the Runs.

Today, though, we celebrate Lute's Troops, fresh off a stirring victory over the Fighting Illini. More on that and even more Wildcat news here:

• Chase Budinger is getting quite a fan following, as he turns in one star performance after another. Hope he sticks around for more than one year.
• Shedding our "soft" reputation? Still remains to be seen, but the defense will need to step it up for the entire game if the Cats want to be taken seriously.
• Nice to have the shoe on the other foot this time, watching the Cats come back from a double-digit deficit and win one going away.
• Mike Bell loses bet to Jake the Snake, suffers the ultimate insult (last topic in article)
• With Stoops looking for an offensive coordinator, does he like Dykes? And don't forget Dirk...what a switcheroo that would be, eh?
• And finally, here's a recap of football recruits to date.

Vaya con Wilbur

Aftemath of the asu game

Not only did Tempe Normal fire their coach after beating the UA Saturday, the UA also lost one. Mike Canales resigned today as Offensive Coordinator after 3 years at the U. Could being 115th out of 119 teams in total offense have something to do with it?

Does the name Zendejas sound familiar?

Who doesn't remember what Max Z. did for the Cats, or hate Luis Z. for going to Territorial Normal. Kicking's in the blood. And the new blood will be wearing cardinal and navy for the next 4 years. Alex Zendejas - of Glendale Ironwood - will take over placekicking for the Cats next year, as we get yet another Pheonix(sic) star to see the light. Nice coup, Stoops.

Alex Zendejas arguably comes from the most famous family of kickers in football history. He has three relatives who have kicked in the NFL, an uncle who was a famous Wildcat in Max Zendejas and an uncle who was a famous Sun Devil in Luis Zendejas. On Wednesday, he was given an offer to follow in the footsteps of Max and he accepted.

Yep, it's really there, Sparky

Normal school gridders could rub their eyes all they wanted, but it still wouldn't go away. There it was, right on their field. "Bear Down" and the AZ "A" were painted on their turf. A red "A" was also painted on their beloved A Mountain.



Let the games begin.

Comparing the Sophomore QB's

I'll take Willie over ruddy anyday. Like comparing apples to rotten oranges.

No Excuses, please, Sparky

Reading through this article it sounds like Tempe is making excuses already, and the game hasn't even been played. Sure, they've suffered through some injuries, but isn't that football? Where's the depth, Dirk? Some of it went north to Nebraska, leaving just crybabies in the Valley of the Scum. I don't remember Stoops with a hanky out when Willie went down for a few games. Or Steptoe. Suck it up, girls.

Speaking of girls:

"I think this was a real talented team at the beginning of the season," ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter said. "But who are our most talented guys? They haven't been playing. They've been hurt or they've had things happen. I'm not making excuses but that is the truth."

Suppose this hammerhead will take the next bus out with Koetter?

Remembering Lee Franklin

Former Wildcat baseball player Lee Franklin battle leukemia for 9 years, but passed away this week in the Bay Area. Here's a touching story about Lee, his struggles and triumphs, and the type of man that he was. The Wildcat family mourns his passing.

Cats Bully the Bulldogs

The Wildcat basketball team is starting to put it all together - witness last night's drubbing of the Samford Bulldogs. Playing a slowdown team for the first time this season, AZ had little trouble, leading by 28 at the half. Lute even managed to play some of the bench guys, too. Except JP Prince, who was nowhere to be found. I'll wager he's looking for another school right now, someone who will "appreciate" him for the great player that he is.

Cats Adopt Nothing-to-Lose Attitude

And it's working. Take a new-found running game, add Dana Dimmel as a co-ofensive coordinator, fire up the defense, and see what it gets you? Some positive national press, immensely grateful fans, and maybe the head of Sparky's football coach on a platter.

Fork you, Devils.

Cancer claims two former Wildcats

From the Tucson Citizen:

Two former University of Arizona athletes known for their big, bright smiles and inspiration as much as their achievements in competition have died.
Former football player Zaharius Johnson died Tuesday after a battle with colon cancer and former second baseman Lee Franklin lost his fight with leukemia on Monday.

The Wildcat Nation feels their loss and grieves for their families.

Rest In Peace, Z and Lee.

Cancer claims two former Wildcats

From the Tucson Citizen:

Two former University of Arizona athletes known for their big, bright smiles and inspiration as much as their achievements in competition have died.
Former football player Zaharius Johnson died Tuesday after a battle with colon cancer and former second baseman Lee Franklin lost his fight with leukemia on Monday.

The Wildcat Nation feels their loss and grieves for their families.

Rest In Peace, Z and Lee.

Koetter to be Cut??

Is Koetter era over at Arizona State? Everybody wants to know, but nobody's talking. As a die-hard Cat fan, I'd like nothing more than for aswho to honor the contract extension he was granted earlier in the season (when the Sparkettes were winning) and enjoy smacking him around a few more years. Bring back Rob Evans, too.

How sweet it is

Can anyone remember when the outcome of the UA/Tempe game would determine the fate of the head coach from that other school? Loos like the honeymoon is really over in Tempe.

Get the Duck Out of Here

Arizona rolled into Autzen Stadium with the fog yesterday, and by the time the skies had cleared the Cats had rolled to their third straight victory over a ranked opponent. Did anybody see this coming? After league losses to UDub, the Beavs, and UCLA, you would have been declared crazy and demented to even think the Cats would make themselves almost bowl-eligible by the time the Sparkettes showed up at AZ Stadium. With development of the O-Line, and the promotion of Dana Dimmel to co-offensive coordinator, the running game has kicked it up a notch or more. After 7 straight losses to the Ducks, and 20 years of frustration in Eugene, the Cats put their best game on the field and dominated from the get-go. The keys to the game were 1) win the turnover battle 2) win time of possession and 3) get the running game going, and the Cats did it all. And shut out the vaunted Oregon offense in the second half. My, oh my.

• Chris Henry up for week twelve Cingular  All-America Player of the Week.  And why not, after his 3 TDs and 200+ total yards?  Now he is the beast of a back we thought he could be.
• First fumbled punt was the beginning of the end.  There was still plenty of time for the Cats to gather in 5 more turnovers, though.  And they scored 24 points off those 6 turnovers.  Talk about the Pillsbury Doughboy!
• The Sparkettes are going South next weekend, along with their season.  Do I hear a life-time option for Coach K(oetter)?
• Cats win the coin flip for the first time in 12 games.  What are the odds?
• Cool irony fact.  After Ohio State beat Michigan 42-39, the Pick 4 game of the Ohio lottery drew - you guessed it - 4-2-3-9.  Good for 5 grand if you picked 'em.

Go Cats!  Fork the Devils!

Cats do what the Scum Devils couldn't

Yep. They beat NAU. So they're a mid-major, so what? The 'jacks are a good mid-major team, the kind of team that can give the Cats fits come tournament time. We'll take it....and we're keeping Chase.

Cats Have Full Attention of the Ducks

Arizona won't be sneaking up on Oregon this weekend. After two straight victories over ranked teams (including #8 Cal) the Quackers are aware of what's in store.

"They've got a lot of swagger and they have every right to after beating teams like (WSU and Cal). Great wins. We have to come into this game and have total focus, especially coming in off a loss, because we know they will," Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon said.

Can't wait to tee it up.