The Arizona football team’s coaching staff was hoping to get a better look at the quarterbacks in competition Wednesday when the Wildcats had their first live spring scrimmage at Arizona Stadium.
And while they did get to see Matt Scott, Nick Foles and Bryson Beirne in action for about 40 minutes, it turned out that all of them looked good.
Their jobs aren’t getting easier, as offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said none of the three quarterbacks has separated himself from the rest of the competition.
“”They are kind of trading days,”” Dykes said. “”I thought Matt had a good couple days and Nick has been more solid, and I think Bryson is really starting to play well.””
It was Scott who got the first snaps at quarterback – which is not pertinent to the position battle – and he took a draw up the middle for 15 yards en route to a day where he finished 5-of-7 passing for 19 yards and rushed three times for 19 yards.
Foles looked sharp in the passing game, finishing 7-for-10 for 31 yards through the air and Beirne was perfect on all three of his attempts for 17 total yards.
“”I am getting a lot more comfortable in the pocket, actually,”” Scott said after the scrimmage. “”Last year I was a little jittery, wasn’t taking the right steps, but I am getting a lot more comfortable in the pocket this year.””
The biggest play of the scrimmage came with Foles at the helm – he was the only quarterback to lead a scoring drive – when slot receiver Bug Wright took an end-around down the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown.
With the departure of Arizona’s biggest playmaker in Mike Thomas, the coaching staff is hoping Wright can help fill those shoes with explosive playmaking abilities.
Wright, who led all rushers with two carries for 40 yards, thinks he is the man for the job.
“”I would say that I am one of the biggest playmakers on the team. We have a lot of them, but I would say I am one of the best,”” Wright said. “”I always tell people my quickness is the best part of my game, so it’s always good for me to get the ball in open space and make things happen.””
The offense wasn’t the only unit providing the fireworks Wednesday, as linebacker Sterling Lewis made sure the defense got some attention with a big hit on tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“”I’m really pleased with the overall production of our team this week. We can see that we have great team speed across the board,”” said UA head coach Mike Stoops. “”We have the chance defensively to be pretty special if we keep working like we are right now.””
