It’s the annual Homecoming Game at Arizona Stadium and the Wildcats are just one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Check back here throughout the game for commentary and observations, and feel free to leave your own comments, observations, and questions.
1:11 p.m. — Some pregame notes and observations: Arizona is sporting the red jersey and white pant combo. Injury updates: RB Nic Grigsby is in street clothes and will not play today due to his nagging shoulder injury. Keola Antolin is expected to start in his place, and freshman Daniel Jenkins was seen taking reps at running back during pregame activities. DE Brooks Reed is dressed and is expected to play. How many plays and how well he performs coming off of an ankle injury remains to be seen.
Still 20 minutes until kickoff, anyone have any predictions? Leave your thoughts in the “”comments”” section at the bottom of the page.
1:37 p.m. – Well that was quick. Arizona’s Travis Cobb returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The touchdown return was Arizona’s first since 1998. We are currently 13 seconds into the game, and it’s 7-0 Wildcats.
1:49 p.m. – Is it possible for a game to be over before five minutes have even been played? Arizona’s defense was fantastic in its opening drive, holding the Cougars to a three-and-out after a tackle for a loss, a sack by Ricky Elmore, and a tackle for no gain.
After a decent punt return by William “”Bug”” Wright, Arizona’s offense scored quickly. Quarterback Nick Foles dropped back and hit senior wide receiver Terrell Turner on a fade for a 28-yard touchdown. Turner was covered pretty well but Foles made a spectacular throw, placing the ball perfectly on Turner’s outside shoulder.
2:03 p.m. – Keola Antolin punches in a short touchdown run to give Arizona a 21-0 lead with 7:21 remaining in the first quarter. Yes, quarter.
Foles was impressive on the drive, but the player that made it all happen was receiver Delashaun Dean. The junior pulled in three catches, and drew a crucial pass interference call to get the Wildcats in the red zone.
On the other side of the ball Arizona’s defense continues to dominate, forcing three straight three-and-outs. The Wildcats are getting constant penetration at the line, giving Washington State no time to do anything. Defensive end Ricky Elmore is already making a strong case for himself with two sacks.
This has to be the exact start that head coach Mike Stoops was looking for. Doesn’t mean he still won’t throw a tantrum or two, though.
Any comments? Leave ’em here.
2:18 p.m. – 24-0 Arizona after a field goal by Alex Zendejas. Nice, easy, methodical drive that Arizona pieced together. Play of the drive: Delashaun Dean raced down the field on a short dig route and was able to turn it into a big gain thanks to the downfield blocking of wide receiver Terrence Miller. The freshman made it look like he was an offensive lineman drive-blocking a professional ping pong player.
Check back in a few minutes for first quarter stats. I have a feeling difference between Arizona and Washington State’s totals will be a little different.
2:24 p.m. – Ladies and gentlemen, we have a Brooks Reed sighting. The junior made his debut on the first play of the second quarter, raced around the outside shoulder of the left tackle and stripped the quarterback of the ball. First play back from injury and you get a sack AND forced fumble? Not bad.
Now, time for some first quarter stats…
Arizona out-rushed Washington State 63-0 and out-passed the Cougars 101-4, giving the Wildcats a 164-4 advantage in total yards. The Cougars have no first downs compared to Arizona’s eight, and the total time of possession was 10:11 to 4:49 in favor of the Wildcats.
Oh, and Arizona just scored again. 31-0 with 13:23 to play in the second quarter.
2:44 p.m. – Matt Scott in the game at quarterback. Barely half way through the second quarter and the reserves are making their way onto the field. Looks like the ‘Cats are just a few hours away from becoming bowl eligible.
2:58 p.m. – Zendejas just added his second field goal of the day, making it 34-0 Arizona with just a little over a minute to play in the half. Most exciting moment of the second quarter: the grounds crew, for whatever reason, elected not to raise the net behind the field goal post during the kick, resulting in the ball flying into the stands. Rather than keeping it as a souvenir, the lucky fan that caught that ball threw it behind him, over the stadium wall and into Sixth Street.
3:07 p.m. – Arizona heads to the locker room at halftime leading Washington State 34-0. The game has gone exactly as the score indicates – Wildcat domination. Let’s see how the reserves do in the second half.
3:27 p.m. – Bug Wright built on his previous punt return and turned his first effort of the second half into a touchdown. The quick and slippery sophomore received the punt at his own 14-yard line and scampered 86 yards for the score. Wright entered the season as one of the most hyped newcomers to the lineup, but a knee injury has slowed his development. I think that last play was a pretty good indication of what he brings to the table.
Arizona is dominating in every aspect of the game. 41-0, 13:27 left in the third.
3:55 p.m. – We’re heading into the fourth quarter here with Arizona on top 41-0. I know that people say that “”stranger things have happened”” than a miracle come back, but if Washington State were to come back that would be pretty strange.
This is exactly what the Wildcats needed. The team would never admit it, but this game against Washington State was a final practice for a brutal final stretch that features California, Oregon, Arizona State, and USC. The trip to the Rose Bowl still has a long way to go, but Arizona got off to a good start today.
4:10 p.m. – Arizona 48, Washington State 0 with 7:06 left.
4:15 p.m. – Shutout ended. Washington State wide receiver Jared Karstetter just made a nice grab raced down the field for a 64-yard touchdown.
Arizona 48, Washington State 7 with 6:23 left.
