Mike Turner (left) is dragged out to the sidelines by Corney Hall during Saturday's Spring Game.
Quarterbacks don’t usually admit they have a favorite receiver, but generally they do.
A trust has to develop between the two players, and that was seen Saturday during the University of Arizona’s annual Spring Game in front of 6,850 fans.
Wildcat quarterback Matt Scott connected with Terrell Turner on the final play of the game to give the White team a 23-21 win.
Fellow quarterback Nick Foles looked to tight end Rob Gronkowski plenty, while Scott often went in Delashaun Dean’s direction.
Gronkowski caught eight passes for 67 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown.
“Robbie just had another great day,” UA coach Mike Stoops said. “You can tell what a weapon he is going to be.”
Sophomore Scott seemed comfortable throwing to deep threat Dean throughout the game.
The pair connected four times for 130 yards, including a 39-yard scoring strike deep down the sidelines.
“We have been working a lot all spring, before practice, after practice. It has been a case of getting our timing down and it is starting to pay off,” Dean said.
All the UA receivers were in sync with Willie Tuitama the past few years. The school record holder for touchdowns, passing yards, attempts and completions was the starter for three-plus years.
The passing attack is breaking in new quarterbacks, with no starter named.
“It is very important,” Dean said of getting on the same page with a quarterback. “He has to get used to my speed and I have to get used to his. It is a lot of factors that play in. We work every day to get the feel for where I am going to be and where the ball is going to be put.”
Added UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes: “It is important that these guys develop a good rapport with the receivers and develop a trust and a bond.”
“The more they can do that ,the better we are going to be offensively. You have to work on that consistency and development. It is going to be critical.”
Spring workouts continue through Wednesday.
Notable
• Arizona played without linebacker Sterling Lewis (shoulder injury), defensive end Apai Tuihalamaka (slight concussion) and cornerback Trevin Wade (flu).
• Keola Antolin was the leading rusher with 36 yards on six carries.
• Receiver William “Bug” Wright led the Blue squad with 31 rushing yards on two end-arounds.
• The lone interception came when Orlando Vargas picked off Scott inside the 10 yard line.
• Linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka was the defensive standout with 12 stops and a sack.
Rob Gronkowski tries to muscle his way past defenders during Saturday's annual Spring Game. The White team won 23-21.