Bowl would boost practice time, aid young Wildcats
by John Moredich on Nov. 06, 2008, under Sports
"Teams that go to a bowl game have a tendency to go to them again because they get all the extra practice time. They get an extra spring training. That is why it is so critical to get to a bowl game. You can develop your young players, and when you start in the spring you are further along." UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes.
There are many advantages of going to a bowl game, with more practice time near the top of the list.
The Arizona Wildcats would be bowl eligible with a win over woeful Washington State on Saturday.
A bowl would give the Wildcats an additional 20 days of NCAA-allotted practices.
Arizona coach Mike Stoops raved about relative unknowns such as defensive back Mark Watley, quarterback Nick Foles, linebacker R. J. Young and tailback Greg Nwoko earlier this week. Players like that would greatly benefit from more practice time.
“Teams that go to a bowl game have a tendency to go to them again because they get all the extra practice time,” UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said. “They get an extra spring training. That is why it is so critical to get to a bowl game. You can develop your young players, and when you start in the spring you are further along.”
Watley, from Crespi Carmelite (Encino, Calif.) High, is making the most of his practice time right now.
He is the first Stoops mentioned when asked about young and upcoming players.
“We got him late. I can’t be more pleased with his development and athleticism,” Stoops said. “He is really going to enhance our secondary.”
Nwoko is compared to Earl Mitchell because of his size (6 feet 2, 230 pounds) and athleticism. He’s from Pflugerville (Texas) High.
Young will get a chance to compete with linebackers next year after the DeSoto (Texas) standout showcased his skills on scout-team drills.
Foles is expected to battle with Matt Scott and Bryson Beirne for the starting nod in 2009. A transfer from Michigan State, Foles has picked up the spread offense quickly.
“He has been impressive,” Stoops said.
Sure things
It’s a given that Arizona’s Mike Thomas and Washington State’s Brandon Gibson will catch their share of passes.
Both have caught at least one in 32 straight games.
They are tied for the Pac-10 record and rank second nationally behind Rice’s Jarett Dillard (45) for the longest active streak.
Both players thought about leaving for the NFL after their junior campaigns. Gibson probably wishes he had, with the Cougars’ offense averaging 12 points per game.
“I think he has dropped some passes this year he has not dropped in the past,” WSU coach Paul Wulff said. “That is part of being frustrated. It has hurt his play, but he is a talented player. Talentwise he is as good a receiver as there is in the league.”
Gibson has caught 44 passes for 550 yards this year. Thomas leads the Wildcats with 48 receptions for 614 yards.
