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AG's Wildcat Report - Dispatches on the Wildcats, from Anthony Gimino

Have we undervalued Mike Stoops?

by on Sep. 26, 2009, under Sports

Arizona won a Pac-10 road game when it didn’t have tight end Rob Gronkowski, defensive end Brooks Reed, offensive tackle Mike Diaz, offensive guard Vaughn Dotsy and receiver Bug Wright, all out because of injury.

Arizona won a Pac-10 road game when it lost running back Nic Grigsby to a shoulder injury on the first series of the game.

Arizona won a Pac-10 road game when it lost backup running back Keola Antolin in the first half to a leg injury.

Arizona won a Pac-10 road game when it was using a first-time starting quarterback, had two critical replay reviews go in favor of the other team … and Arizona won when it absolutely had to have some Wildcat make a play on defense at the end of the game.

That Wildcat was cornerback Devin Ross, who came up with an interception with 1:33 left when Arizona was protecting a three-point lead.

The 37-32 win at Oregon State — when sophomore Nick Foles emerged as the quarterback of the future — was at once a huge sigh of relief and a positive sign for the rest of the season.

The Wildcats won because they have the kind of overall depth they didn’t come close to having when Mike Stoops took over for the 2004 season after Hurricane Mackovic ripped through the program.

“I think that’s the greatest compliment I can give our coaches and our players,” Stoops said in his postgame radio interview. “We develop players.”

There is lot left in the season, and most of the Pac-10 schedule will produce games just like this one — physical, dramatic, up for grabs. The Wildcats’ season could go any which way.

But if you’re looking for optimism, here are a few somethings to consider.

Since near the end of the 2007 season, Arizona:

  • Has won 14 of 21 games.
  • Is 9-5 in Pac-10 games.
  • Has a 3-2 record against ranked teams.
  • Defeated the No. 2 team in the country (Oregon, 2007).
  • Won the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl, 31-21 over BYU.
  • Has been competitive against everybody, not losing a game by more than 10 points.

The thing that has kept Stoops from more success in his five-plus seasons has been his record in close games. Before the Oregon State game, Stoops was 6-16 in games decided by eight points or less.

He’s now 7-16 in those situations.

“It was an unbelievable team win,” Stoops said.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but to have the kids compete for the full 60 minutes was very gratifying. We had guys step up … all over the place.”

None more so than Foles, who completed 25 of 34 passes for 254 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown. Most of all, he showed poise in the pocket, able to feel pressure, scramble for time … and still make the play.

“Arizona was about as efficient as I’ve ever seen them,” said Oregon State coach Mike Riley. “They were sharp.”

Foles made his first career start look as low-stress as a day at the beach.

“A pretty cool guy,” Stoops said. “He is not too up. He never got too down when he didn’t start. He’s a competitor. … We needed his composure tonight.”

Given the circumstances and adversity, it was one of the biggest wins of Stoops’ tenure. But we seem to be saying that a lot lately.

After last season’s win over Arizona State to get bowl eligible.

After the win over BYU.

And now the win at Oregon State to start Pac-10 play.

In all, Arizona has been a very good program for about two full seasons now.

Has Stoops gotten enough credit for that?

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at 10:15 pm and is filed under Sports. Tags for this post: , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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  • Mark Johnson

    Two things to keep in mind.  

    1. Matt Scott gets hammered for loosing in Iowa but clearly Iowa is a much better team that originally thought with a no loss record and taking down Penn State yesterday. Iowa can now potentially be considered a high BCS team.

    2. OSU is ranked as one of the nations worst pass defensive team. Good game for Foles to start,  love what he did but needs to be kept into perspective. Here is a thought. Our D this year, noted as better than last year, allowed double the points against OSU.

    What does this mean? Do not count Matt Scott out of anything. He would have looked a bit more like he did in the first two games against less quality teams against OSU. There will be games where a running QB is going to be very necessary.

    • Anthony Gimino

      Mark,
      Oregon State’s secondary is inexperienced, but some of its defensive passing numbers were skewed after playing three teams that really lean on the pass. It was only one game for Foles — and now opponents will have a better scouting report and adjust — but he was poised and forced only one or two throws. He seems to have a good head for the game.
      I, too, wouldn’t count out Scott. He needs to hang in there and be ready, like Foles was, when his number is called.
      I don’t know why a running QB would be very necessary, though. Lots of teams get by just fine without one.

  • Oldwest2

    Mark : I personally could not agree with you more, you hit the nail right on the head,  before this season is over,  i too believe both quarterbacks will be needed, especially in the pac-10 play.
    But i must say Foles looked cool,  calm,  collected and well poised last night. At least it sounded that way on the radio broadcast. His numbers speak volumes as to his potential and that of the receivers, of course the offensive line deserves some kudos also for a no sack night.
    Anthony G:  To a certain degree i believe Stoops has not received enough credit for what is taking place.  The team is entirely his recruits and at long last the depth appears to be in place to compete in the Pac-10,  even with injuries. Maybe last nights close road win will turn the tide and the Cats can now know the close games are there for them to win.
     
    Bear Down and GO Cats !!!!!

  • faithnzen-dejas!

    Anthony:

    1. Have you ever seen an Arizona team so deep at so many positions?  I’m particularly impressed with the talent at RB and WR – not to mention TE (but BTW, where has Simmons gone?).  And then there’s the defense, and especially at LB and DB.  We don’t see it or thankfully need it right now – hopefully ever – but are the lines – defensive and offensive – as stacked with reserves?  My guess would be yes as fresh and conditioned to perform as these guys are.

    2. Who does Arizona’s time off this week and UDub’s game at the feet of Touchdown Jesus on Saturday help most next week?

    3.  Is Scott taking being relegated to clip board duty as good as Beirne and Foles have?    

    4. How much you wanna bet that a half-back option with Nowenko or Boothe hitting a streaking Simmons would go for a big gainer as the opening play come Saturday after next?

    • Anthony Gimino

      Arizona is deep. It’s the best depth on each line in at least a decade. The running backs are perhaps as deep as in two decades when UA had the “Back Attack” in the late 1980s — David Eldridge, Art Greathouse, Reggie McGill, Alonzo Washington (am I forgetting anybody?).
      These Cats have a lot of players all over the depth chart with similar ability. That said, the front-line defense doesn’t have as much talent as the Desert Swarm teams, and the front-line offense isn’t as dynamic as the late-1990s teams.
      2. The extra week off definitely benefits Arizona, which will be able to get back several injured players.
      3. Scott needs to have a good attitude like Foles did, and be ready for his opportunity.
      4. Can’t imagine Nwoko or Booth being in the starting lineup for the next game.

  • faithnzen-dejas!

    And to answer your question, I’d have to say Stoops is not only a good recruiter but also a strong fundamentals and hard work and perseverance guy.

    And it shows.

    His coaches and players see this and they themselves live it. 

    We can witness it in the way the team has been playing as of late.

    Penalties are at an all-time low would be my bet and that, more than anything, says things are sinking in, Stoops’ way is taking hold.

  • bisbeebuckaroo

    Hurricane Mackovic is right.  No recruit even half decent would give us the time of day.  Stoops did not inherit much to work with.  That made it a very slow process in rebuilding and reestablishing the teams rep.  I have no doubt that Stoops can do great things.  As you previously mentioned, he already has.  Every coach is going to make mistakes and Stoops has made his fair share, but I think he is the right choice and will return UA football to dominance.

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