Mike Stoops might be in a better mood when he doesn't have to play a top 10 team. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

If Utah had played Arizona’s schedule, it would be 1-3.

If Washington had played Arizona’s schedule, it would be 1-3.

If USC had played Arizona’s schedule, it would be 1-3.

And, yes, even while Arizona State fans are giddy over a Top 25 ranking and the program’s first victory over USC since 1999, the Sun Devils would be 1-3 if they had played Arizona’s schedule … and everyone in Tempe would want coach Dennis Erickson fired. Right. Now.

Go through the college football standings, and you’ll find almost every team would have three losses if it had played Arizona’s schedule of Oklahoma State, Stanford and Oregon in consecutive weeks.

“Ninety percent of teams would have lost to those three teams,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said.

“I mean, is that a rational statement or is that irrational?”

(more…)

Glenn Parker joined the Arizona Wildcats as a junior college transfer offensive lineman in the spring of 1988, when Joe Tofflemire already was a two-time all-conference center.

“He was such a good guy,” Parker said Tuesday, a day after Tofflemire died at the age of 46 in Post Falls, Idaho.

“Meet you, greet you, look you in the eye. He had none of that BS of ‘I’m the man around here and you have to learn.’ … It’s easy for the head honcho to be a jerk, but he smiled and accepted me, and that meant that the rest of the guys did as well. That’s part of being a leader.”

Tofflemire, one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Arizona history, was remembered Tuesday by teammates as a leader, a hard worker and a guy with an infectious smile.

“It’s so sad, because, without being cliche, he was one of the good guys,” said his former Arizona teammate Chuck Cecil. “He was quick with a smile and quick to make you smile.

“He put in his work, took care of business. He just showed you how to do it. He would be like, ‘Watch me and you will be successful.’ He was a consummate teammate. That is how I remember Joe.”

Toffelmire was found unconscious in his home Monday and died in a hospital.

(more…)

Arizona's Kevin Parrom tries to block a shot by Wesley Witherspoon of Memphis in the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

A statement this afternoon from Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller on junior wing Kevin Parrom, who was shot in the leg Saturday morning while home in the Bronx:

“Kevin Parrom returned to Tucson last night. He will return to classes this week and also begin his rehabilitation process. We will know a lot more about his return to basketball activities in a month. At this time our focus is to provide him a comprehensive support system to allow him to progress to his full potential. Kevin, first and foremost, is fortunate to be alive.”

Parrom hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Responding to a well-wishing tweet from former Washington guard Isaiah Thomas, Parrom wrote:

“@Isaiah_Thomas2 thanks for the love. Idk what hurts more your shot that went in at the end of the game or the 1 i got this weekend smh lol”

Parrom was referring to Thomas’ game-winning shot in the final of the Pac-10 Tournament.

When leaving New York on Monday, Parrom tweeted: “Flight To Phx … I thank the lord that im here”

Parrom, a 6-foot-6 wing, averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 rebounds last season, averaging 20.1 minutes per game, mostly as a reserve. He shot 50.8 percent from the field (100 of 197) and 41.8 percent from 3-point range (38 of 91).

Practice begins Oct. 15. Arizona will hold its Red-Blue game on Oct. 22. A pair of exhibitions — Oct. 27 vs. Seattle Pacific and Nov. 1 vs. Humboldt State — precede the season-opener at home against Valparaiso on Nov. 7.

Keola Antolin tries to make some headway against Oregon last week. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

In an effort to stir Arizona’s sleepy running game, three backs might be better than one.

And all at the same time.

The Wildcats are getting more comfortable with the full-house backfield formation it practiced through spring and fall, using it several times to reasonable effect against Oregon on Saturday. Arizona deployed it four times on its first scoring drive, getting a 15-yard carry from tailback Ka’Deem Carey, who was following lead blocks from Taimi Tutogi and tight end Drew Robinson.

Here’s how it looks:

Quarterback Nick Foles lines up in the shotgun, flanked by two backs (Tutogi and Robinson). A tailback lines up behind Foles, as in the Pistol formation. Tutogi often went in motion behind Foles to get a running start toward the line of scrimmage as he and Robinson tried to open holes.

Arizona put two receivers out wide, looking for single coverage somewhere if defenses committed a safety to stopping the run. If not, then Arizona has seven blockers for seven defenders — and the tailback has to make a play.

“What it does, it just gives us versatility,” said running backs coach Garret Chachere.

(more…)

Justin Washington has 10 tackles and no sacks through four games. Photo by Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Among all the things that have gone wrong for Arizona’s defense so far — injuries, the inability to stop the run and allowing opponents to complete more than 71 percent of their passes — is the relative disappearance of tackle Justin Washington.

The sophomore was the one potential standout on the defensive line, a Freshman All-American who made 11.5 tackles for loss, including six sacks, last season. He earned various all-conference honors in preseason magazines this summer.

He was supposed to be the rock up front. With nine career starts, he was the only guy on either side of Arizona’s line who could be considered a returning starter.

Last week, he didn’t even start.

He gave way freshman Sanielia Fuimaono, who is listed as a co-starter with Washington for this week’s game at USC.

(more…)

Arizona junior Kevin Parrom is one of the key players for the 2011-12 team. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Arizona Wildcats junior basketball player Kevin Parrom was shot this weekend while home in the Bronx visiting his mother, according to a statement from athletic director Greg Byrne.

The story was first reported by Adam Zagoria of zagsblog.com. He reported that Parrom was shot in the right leg early Saturday morning “in an apparent dispute over a woman.”

Parrom initially was in stable condition, according to Zagoria’s story, although the extent of the injuries in regard to his basketball status is not known.

“I have been in contact with Kevin and his family throughout the weekend and look forward to his return to Tucson and being back in class this week,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said in a statement.

“Our focus is on Kevin’s health right now. Once we have more information, we’ll be able to address his potential return to team activities.”

(more…)

This is how part of the Zona Zoo looked during the third quarter. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

The announced attendance for Arizona’s game against Oregon was only four away from being a listed sellout — 56,096.

After halftime, perhaps half the crowd decided to do something else with its evening.

The Zona Zoo student section — which has been built up into a 10,000-strong force during the Mike Stoops era — was especially sparse on the east side of the stadium behind the Wildcats’ bench. A third full?

“That’s expected. They’ve been doing that since I’ve been here,” said senior cornerback Trevin Wade.

“I appreciate the loyal fans that stayed and continued to watch us. Every team is not perfect. When we go to away games and we’re winning by a lot, their fans are still there, you know? It’s all about support. All we can do is keep playing. …

“It fires you up to have the loyal people there, still cheering for you. They were still pretty loud. That gets me amped up.”

(more…)

LSU's No. 99 -- defensive end Sam Montgomery -- probably thinks the Tigers are No. 1, too. Photo by Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The AP media poll got it right. The USA Today coaches poll got it wrong.

LSU should be the No. 1 team in the land, and it really shouldn’t be up for debate.

The Tigers moved into the top spot in the AP poll today after their win at West Virginia, earning 42 of 60 first-place votes. Erstwhile No. 1 Oklahoma received 12 first-place votes, followed by Alabama (five) and Boise State, which picked up one first-place mention.

OK, that last part doesn’t make sense, but, on the whole, the AP voters got it right with LSU, while the coaches stuck with the Sooners, the preseason No. 1.

LSU’s resume can’t be touched, though. The Tigers have a win over Oregon in Dallas (after seeing the Ducks in person Saturday night, that must be one beastly defense to be able to slow down Oregon). A win at Mississippi State. A win at West Virginia.

I have had LSU at No. 1 since its victory over Oregon.

(more…)

Nick Foles threw for 1,160 yards and 10 touchdowns in three career games against Oregon. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles, after throwing for 398 yards against Oregon, is fourth in the nation in passing yards, averaging 361.75 per game.

He is on pace to throw for 4,341 yards, which would shatter the season mark of 3,683, set by Willie Tuitama in 2007.

“I’ll tell you what; I’m glad Nick Foles is graduating,” Oregon coach Chip Kelly said after his team’s 56-31 victory Saturday night.

“I catch myself watching him in awe sometimes. … Nick is a hell of a football player. That kid’s a warrior. He’s as good as anyone in the country.”

Foles missed some early deep throws, wasn’t helped by several drops by his receivers and took some hellacious hits, sacked five times for the second consecutive week.

“Nick, again, was spectacular,” UA coach Mike Stoops said. “He continues to be just a great player. I think his play speaks for himself.”

(more…)

Oregon's LaMichael James ran through the Arizona defense for 288 yards. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

On a night in which Arizona honored former defensive tackle Rob Waldrop — the cornerstone of the early Desert Swarm defenses — the Wildcats gave up more rushing yards in one game than they did in Waldrop’s senior season.

In 1993, Arizona allowed 346 rushing yards in 12 games, including the Fiesta Bowl shutout of Miami.

Against Oregon on Saturday night, the Cats yielded a staggering 415 rushing yards, including LaMichael James’ school record 288 yards on 23 carries.

“Defensively, we’re just not playing anywhere close to good enough to win against a good football team,” coach Mike Stoops said after the 56-31 loss to Oregon at Arizona Stadium.

“We can’t commit any more guys to the line of scrimmage to stop the run. I don’t know what else to say. Structurally, we have to look at some things. But I thought LaMichael James was spectacular. We just couldn’t get off blocks to make plays. …

“It starts with defense, and we’re not playing good enough.”

He doesn’t have to say that twice.

(more…)