Dykes says Wildcats offense can do better
by John Moredich on Oct. 31, 2008, under Sports
Sonny Dykes
Surprise.
The Arizona Wildcats are relying on their rushing game as much as their vaunted spread passing attack to average 36 points and 383 yards per game under second-year offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes.
UA has rushed the ball 286 times, and thrown 257 times while sporting a 5-3 record and a 3-2 mark in Pac-10 play. The team is off this week before playing Washington State on Nov. 8.
The Cats are averaging 20 more points a game than in 2006, but took a step back in a 17-10 loss to USC last week.
Dykes spoke about UA’s offense after practice Wednesday:
Q: Do you consider 36 points, 383 yards good?
A: “It’s OK. We are certainly capable of being much better than that.”
Q: How has the running game (averaging 151 yards per game) changed your passing calls?
A: “When you are running it pretty well, the play-action comes a little easier. We’ve been more play-action happy. Running it like we are, we are probably not getting the ball down the field like we have in the past.”
Q: If you had a choice and could only go with a run or a pass, what would you prefer?
A: “It’s hard to say. Running the ball is good. . . .You can control the game. When you have to throw it a lot, things can go wrong. There’s a lot more precision required. When we have not been able to execute the passing game, the run game has been good for us.”
Q: Are you already preparing for Washington State, or is the plan during the off week to work only on your offense?
A: “It’s important for us to get the extra work and to execute. That’s the thing we have had issues with in the past – going on the road. We have not executed as well. We felt it was important to get the game plan in, and get as many reps as quickly as we can, so we’re running on all cylinders.”
Q: What’s your evaluation of the offense after eight games?
A: “The thing we have been battling for two years is consistency. We still are breaking in a bunch of young guys. We have been explosive at times. We have to continue to grind it out and improve. We’ve been able to run the football pretty well. Our passing game has evolved a little differently because of that.”
Q: What kind of improvements need to be done the last four games?
A: “We have to play better. We have to learn how to take advantage of all of our opportunities. The Cal game, for example, we didn’t play well at all in the first half and then came out and scored 21 points really fast in the third quarter. We have to be more consistent. . . .
“We have to make sure we are getting the ball to the playmakers. And (quarterback Willie Tuitama) has to learn to be patient and make sure those guys are getting the throws they need to get, and checking things at the line of scrimmage. We made a lot of bad checks (against USC). (The Trojans) will make you do that, though. . . .
“Look at the games we lost. We have not done a good job of getting the ball to the playmakers.”
Q. How did the Trojans shut you down?
A. “USC did a good job of putting two guys on (tight end) Robbie (Gronkowski). They were keeping him from getting off the line of scrimmage. We tried to split guys out more to get him off their releases. We have to do a better job of getting Robbie and Mike (Thomas) more involved.”
Q: Are more teams going to double team Gronkowski?
A: “It’s going to happen. We have to be able to recognize it and get the ball to other guys.”
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UP NEXT
Arizona (5-3, 3-2) at Washington St. (1-7, 0-5)
When: 3 p.m. Nov. 8
TV: None
