We’ve made it. The start of college football is less than a sleep cycle away. By the time some of you read this, the first tailgaters will have arrived on the UA Mall, barbeque in tow.
Until then, here’s one last preseason roundup on Arizona football to satisfy your hunger for real, meaningful football.
No surprises on injury report
Arizona football released its weekly injury report on Tuesday, and there were no major revelations.
As expected, Tyrell Johnson, Trey Griffey, Trevor Wood and Cody Ippolito are all listed as out for Thursday. Wood and Ippolito’s injuries are season-ending, while Johnson and Griffey should be back within a few weeks.
Cornerback Jarvis McCall Jr. was listed as probable with his his injury.
First Bear Down Friday takes place today
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Bear Down Friday, a pep rally that takes place the day before every home football game.
Since Arizona’s season opens on a Thursday instead of a Saturday, the first Bear Down Friday is Wednesday from 5–7 p.m. The pep rally will take place at Main Gate Square on University Boulevard, between Park and Euclid avenues.
Bear Down Friday is free and open to the public, and people are encouraged to park at Tyndall Avenue Parking Garage.
The pep rally itself begins at 6 p.m., when the Pride of Arizona marching band and Wilbur and Wilma take the stage alongside UA Cheerleading, Pom Line & Dance Team and Color Guard.
Women’s soccer head coach Tony Amato is the guest host.
Festivities get going earlier in the afternoon, starting off with the Spirit Party at 3 p.m., hosted by ESPN Tucson’s Zach Clark.
A number of other activities will take place throughout the afternoon and evening including a ZonaZoo photo booth and a Junior Cats Activity Zone.
Also of note, the Territorial Cup will be on display.
Four-star defensive end to join Arizona in spring
According to Gabe Encinas of Arizona Desert Swarm, Arizona defensive end commit Josh Allen will get a head start at UA by joining the football program this coming spring. Allen will not play for Long Beach City College this year.
The decision gives Allen three years of eligibility at Arizona and a head start to learning the Wildcats’ system.
Allen, a four-star recruit, was ranked as the nation’s No. 2 junior college defensive end according to recruiting website 247Sports.com.
Allen committed to Arizona in July over a host of top programs including ASU, Boise State University and the University of Louisville.
Pac-12 Roundup: trouble in Westwood
It’s been a drama-filled offseason for UCLA football.
In June, ’90s hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs got into an altercation with a UCLA assistant coach. Then in mid-August, Snoop Dogg’s son, Cordell Broadus, announced he was leaving the team to pursue other opportunities.
A few days later, Jim Mora publicly berated freshman starting quarterback Josh Rosen.
The latest event is much more serious than all those.
Junior cornerback Ishmael Adams has been suspended indefinitely following a Sunday arrest on suspicion of felony robbery. Adams posted a $100,000 bail on Tuesday.
The first-team All-Pac-12 Conference corner is accused of stealing a cell phone from an Uber driver, according to the Orange County Register.
The No. 13 Bruins, who open the season Saturday at home against Virginia, may be without Adams for much if not all of the year, depending on how the legal process plays out. UCLA’s Pac-12 opener is at Arizona on Sept. 26.
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