Don’t take win for granted, players say

The warning signs have been posted: Don’t overlook Washington State.

Arizona has done everything possible to prevent a third look-ahead game, including a call for a rare players-only meeting.

“We wanted to make sure everybody’s head was right,” co-captain linebacker Ronnie Palmer said. “We wanted to make sure everybody was going full out and we were not taking anything for granted.”

The Wildcats – by their own admission – overlooked Stanford and New Mexico and ended up losing this season.

Arizona has a track record of looking the other way against opponents that have lacked big name or danger.

The Wildcats lost to Stanford and New Mexico a year ago as well.

“Sooner or later you should learn your lesson,” UA offensive guard Joe Longacre said. Washington State doesn’t “have all the wins that suggest they are a great team, but they play tough and we can’t overlook them or we will be the team that was beaten in November.”

A win over the Cougars would make Arizona (5-3, 3-2) bowl eligible. UA hasn’t earned a postseason bid since 1998.

Washington State is struggling, allowing a nation’s worst 49 points per game, while scoring only 12 points.

But you won’t hear UA coaches harping on those stats.

“They are still a Pac-10 team,” Stoops said. “They work hard and they have had trouble in a lot of different areas, but that does not mean they are not capable of putting something together. That is not something we can afford to overlook in any way.”

Grant’s pinkie dilemma

UA starting offensive tackle Adam Grant may be getting back on the field after missing the last month with a broken pinkie and knuckle injury.

The junior’s left pinkie is still bent backward, but getting better, the junior said Monday.

He is waiting for final medical clearance to get his finger worked on more.

“It is kind of like a torture method, but you get past it,” Grant said.

Grant, who started the first five games, suffered the injury when a player was blocked into him against Washington on Oct. 4.

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