Citizen Staff Writer
JOHN MOREDICH
jmoredich@tucsoncitizen.com
At stake for the Arizona Spring Game are steaks.
The Wildcats’ intrasquad game Saturday will wrap up spring drills, and the winners will receive top sirloin; the losers will eat hamburgers and hot dogs.
“It is a win-win situation if you ask me,” Arizona safety Cam Nelson said.
The Wildcats are hungry to make a lasting impression, with the quarterbacks taking center stage and the two team captains showing off their scouting prowess.
Nelson and receiver Terrell Turner drafted the teams for the 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Arizona Stadium.
Instead of players being available across the board, the two picked quarterbacks, then running backs, receivers, and so on.
Nelson, Arizona’s starting free safety, wound up picking quarterback Nick Foles with the initial pick. Tailbacks Nic Grigsby and Greg Nwoko will join them along with offensive linemen Adam Grant, Solomon Koehler, Herman Hall and Mike Diaz, to name a few.
“Our offense looks pretty good. I wanted to make sure the offense was together,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s specialty, the defense, has cornerbacks Trevin Wade and Mike Turner, and linebacker Sterling Lewis.
Nelson’s aim is to play on both sides of the ball.
“I am going to go out and run a little option and talk this over with coach (Mike Stoops),” Nelson said.
Turner landed the best of the linebacking unit with Vuna Tuihalamaka, Corey Hall and Xavier Kelley. Quarterback Matt Scott and tailback Keola Antolin are the other big playmakers on Turner’s offense.
The Wildcats have used an unorthodox scoring system in the practice games, with points given for defensive stops and turnovers as well as touchdowns and field goals.
The scoring will be normal this time.
“We are going to try to have a true game,” Stoops said. “We tried to even the teams up the best we could. We have more quality depth. . . . We are competitive in virtually every position on the field.
With playing time and a better meal on the line.
“I am not going to guarantee it, but I know T.T. (Turner) is going to guarantee it,” Nelson said. “I’m going to let him do it. Hopefully we get this win and we get the steaks.”
Cats to showcase ‘quality depth’ in spring contest
‘We are going to try to have a true game.’
MIKE STOOPS,
UA football coach
SATURDAY
Spring Game, 1:30 p.m. (Fan Fiesta, noon), Arizona Stadium