Canales Resigns

The Arizona Daily Star reports co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Canales has resigned.

A Season on the Brink

It's so much better
When everyone is in are you in
It's so much better
When everyone is in are you in
Ooooh............Are you in?
-Incubus


Sitting at 3-5 with games against (then no. 25) Washington State, (then no. 8) California, and (then BCS no. 24) Oregon, I'm sure Arizona surprised you by winning not one...or two...but all three. I bet you were also surprised when Arizona State came into The Stadium Saturday, and played like they had something to prove to the football world.

This was a season on the brink for Arizona. After losing Willie Tuitama to a concussion (number 1 - at LSU), the Wildcats were on the brink of watching their season go down the drain without their golden boy at the wheel. He returned just a week later showing no ill effects from his first brain shaking of the season.

Arizona then lost three straight, and judging by fan "comments" on azstarnet.com, people around town were not convinced Mike Stoops was the man to turn the program around. I, too, had my doubts. It seemed as though Arizona was on the brink of yet another public outcry for a new head coach.

And just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse, Tuitama sustained another head injury (number 2 - at UCLA). This one would sideline the sophomore QB for three weeks. During his absence, Arizona persevered, winning one of two. But the Wilcats were on the brink of another season without the possibility of playing in December.

Then came the improbable win at Washington State, another field rushing on Homecoming, and the smackdown the Wildcats laid on Oregon in Autzen Stadium. Suddenly, Arizona was on the brink of not only their first bowl game since 1998, but a winning season.

Here we are at the end of another season, and Mike Stoops and his staff are hard at work. They've just locked up "one of the state's most prized football recruits."

So, I hope you're all still on the Arizona bandwagon - regardless of whether or not the Wildcats are invited to a bowl game. Mike Stoops is on the brink of having a real winner in Tucson.

Arizona v. Oregon - Live

1:33
I hope you're as excited as I am. This game is a great opportunity for the Wildcats to reintroduce themselves to the football elite. A win today makes Arizona bowl eligible.

1:40
Dave Sitton is now covering Arizona football games. What doesn't this guy do?

1:48 (0-3, 9:11 remaining 1st quarter)
Really looked like Oregon would march down the field for an easy touchdown. The Ducks are incredibly elusive. The Arizona defense will have to be huge today.

1:54 (6:22 remaining 1st quarter)
Run Chris, run. Arizona will have to run the ball effectively to control this game. Oh, by the way, the Wildcats have not won in Eugene since 1986.

2:00 (7-3, 4:06 remaining 1st quarter)
Thank you Cam Nelson - great hit to force the fumble. Thank you special teams - great coverage on the punt. Thank you Chris Henry - nice little run for the TD.

Oregon may be out of the AP and USA Today polls, but they are ranked 24 in the BCS.

2:08 (2:13 remaining 1st quarter)
Chris Henry has over 50 yards rushing. Yeah, really.

2:15 (end 1st quarter, 14-3)
Another one? Arizona's offense is clicking and has Oregon on its heels.

2:19 (14-10)
Stupid fog horn.

2:26 (10:35 remaining 2nd quarter)
Now would be a good time for a big defensive play - I'm thinking a pick to the house.

2:28 (14-10, 9:20 remaining 2nd quarter)
Ask, and ye shall receive. Who is Michael Klyce?

2:33 (21-10, 6:16 remaining 2nd quarter)
Arizona - as Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano likes to say - just keeps "choppin wood". The Wildcats are, dare I say, "laying a smackdown" on the Ducks defense.

14 UA points off Oregon turnovers.

2:45
The defense came to play today. Two INT's on the day so far.

I'm not sure why Adam Austin is in the game, but hopefully it's (insert optimistic inference on Tuitama's health here).

2:58 (24-10, end first half)
Extraordinary first half for the Wildcats. Next challenge: avoid complacency.

Key halftime stats, courtesy of ESPN:

• Chris Henry - 98 yards on 14 carries, 21 yards on 1 catch, 2 TD's.
• Willie Tuitama - 8 of 9 passing for 120 yards, 2 TD's.
• Arizona defense - 2 INT's, 1 fumble recovered.

3:22 (start 3rd quarter)
Looks like Adam Austin has the reins of the Arizona offense.
The Wildcats will have to play like the game is 0-0 to win.

3:29 (10:12 remaining 3rd quarater)
If the rest of the Ducks are as fired up as Jeremiah Johnson, look out.

3:32
Sitting back in my chair, I'm really enjoying this game.

3:36 (6:27 remaining 3rd quarter)
Arizona recovers a muffed punt! Oregon, I'd like to introduce you to the Wildcats' special teams unit.

3:39 (4:21 remaining 3rd quarter)
You're killing me number 76...two consecutive false starts. Seven penalties for 119 yards? Gotta focus.

3:47 (1:11 remaining 3rd quarter)
Another score would be nice heading into the fourth quarter. Just throwin it out there.

3:48 (10 seconds later)
I now believe Chris Henry and I have some sort of telepathic connection. TD number three on the day for 19. 34-10 Wildcats.

4:01 (37-10, 11:21 remaining)
Spencer Larsen's pick makes 6 turnovers for the Ducks. This is officially a rout.

4:11
7 minutes, 24 seconds until Arizona is bowl eligible for the first time since 1998.

4:20 (4:46 remaining)
Can you hear the U of A chants? Given the history of Autzen Stadium, you aren't supposed to.

4:39 (0:00 remaining)
Bowl eligible. Welcome back Arizona.

For what it's worth...

CBS Sportsline now ranks Arizona (50) above Florida State and Miami(FL).

Nothing short of "exhilarating"

Arizona v. #8 California
W (24-20)

I've gotten to rush the field at Arizona Stadium twice now. And I'll tell ya, it's pretty fun.

"The crowd was sitting down for a while," UA cornerback Antoine Cason said. "After that, they got up. It was exhilarating."

"That" would be a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

And "that" is precisely when all 55,519 fans in attendance Saturday realized Arizona could win this game. But I'm sure if you asked the players, they'd say they knew it all along.

"This was a surprise to everyone — but us," Cason said.

Quite a surprise.

Believe it or not, the Wildcats (5-5) are one win away from being in contention for a bowl game. Get ready for expectations to go through the roof.

Suddenly games at Oregon and against Arizona State, in Tucson, have new meaning.

"We're 5-5 and we've got a chance every time we suit up," head coach Mike Stoops said.

There's plenty of room left on the Arizona bandwagon...but get on now.

Homecoming

Tomorrow's a big day for the UA. Here are few things to do you may not know about...

A "kickoff celebration" starts at 7 p.m tonight.
Some live bands will perform, and Mike Stoops and the Wildcats will be there for a good ol' fashioned pep rally.

Tents on the mall open at 9 a.m.
University clubs and departments will have tents on the mall offering a variety of activities.

The homecoming parade starts at 10 a.m.
All the floats will gather on University at Campbell. Check out how creative clubs at the UA are. It's cool, seriously.

Drunken debauchery begins when you want it to, and lasts all day.
Don't forget the game is now at 1:30.

Arizona v. Washington State - Live Blogging

3:45 (14-10 UA)
Wow. Arizona scored before I turned the game on. I tuned in just in time to hear Chris Henry punch it in for touchdown number two. I'm a little disappointed Washington State has already scored, though.

4:06
The offense has stalled a bit, but the defense is doing a good job of getting after WSU QB Alex Brink. They've already recovered a fumble - the Wildcats are hitting hard today.

4:10 (3:20 remaining 2nd quarter - 17-10 UA)
Another WSU punt. Niccce. I'd like to see the Wildcats throw the ball downfield - show a little killer instinct. The old Wildcats play conservatively with a lead going into halftime. The new Wildcats should look to put pressure on the Cougar's defense. Throw something at them they aren't expecting.

I cringe every time Tuitama has to scramble.

4:17
Arizona forces the Cougars to punt. Big play by special teams on fourth down...botched snap...Arizona gets the ball on the WSU 21. Major opportunity for Arizona to attack. Please, I beg you, throw it in the end zone. Don't just run the ball.

4:23 (0:00 remaining 2nd quarter - 20-10 UA)
Ok. I'll take a Nick Fold field goal. Do my ears deceive me? Is Arizona really going into the locker room with a halftime lead? I'm getting fairly excited here. 182 yards of offense in the first half? Let's see if they can do more of the same in the second half.

4:40
Some nice halftime stats courtesy of ESPN.com:

• Willie Tuitama - 7 of 10 for 116 yards with 1 td

• Chris Henry - 41 yards on 16 carries with 1 td

• Arizona defense - 1 fumble recovery, 3 punts

• Arizona offense - 5 for 9 third down efficiency

Nice to see Arizona executing on offense, isn't it?

4:48 (start 3rd quarter)
Washington State gets the ball to start the second half. They aren't messing around - three straight completions. Arizona can't let the Cougars gain any confidence.

4:56 (20-17 UA)
What could have been a huge play for Arizona ends up being 3 extra tries at the endzone for the Cougars. You can't fumble the ball away right after you force and recover one yourself. The Wildcats let Wazzu to do exactly what they wanted to do: get a quick second half score. This cannot turn into an offensive shootout.

5:02
Arizona's first offensive series of the half sputters. They're going to have to be better than that to win the game. It's time for the Wildcat's to make a big play. How about a pick to the house?

5:10
The defense has got to get a stop. If the Cougars score again, that might just take all the wind out of Arizona's sails.

5:14
Yeah, about that...everyone knows fake punts never work. A big risk for Wazzu doesn't pay off - Arizona takes over at their own 48. THROW THE BALL DOWN FIELD!

5:18 (5:18 remaining 3rd quarter)
Thank you, Syndric Steptoe - huge (one-handed) catch on 3rd and 11. But, surprise suprise, they run on first down.

5:21
Ok, Ok. Sniffing the end zone - a Tuitama-Thomas connection puts the Wildcats inside the Wazzu 10.

5:22 (27-17 UA)
Chris Henry powers in for touchdown number 2. Three offensive scores - niccce. I think Arizona stunned the Cougar defense a little with this drive.

5:30
Arizona D forces another Wazzu punt. They continue to put the offense in great position to win this game.

5:32 (end 3rd quarter)
You can't see me, but I'm holding up four fingers.

5:36 (begin 4th quarter)
Key to the fourth quarter: continue to stop Wazzu, control the football game by chewing up clock.

5:44 (11:18 remaining 4th quarter - 27-17 UA)
Another Wazzu punt, and a chance for the Wildcats to bury the Cougars. These are the times whe teams that know how to win put the game away.

5:51 (5:56 remaining 4th quarter)
We're going to learn a lot about this team over the next five minutes, fifty-six seconds. They've got a ten point lead over a top-25 team, late in the game. The old Wildcats figure out a way to lose. They new Wildcats know they will win.

5:57 (3:33 remaining 4th quarter - 27-17 UA)
According to radio coverage by 1290am "The Source", Wazzu fans are heading for the exits.

6:10 (Arizona wins 27-17)
Time to celebrate!

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Next week:
Homecoming - Arizona hosts Cal