Arizona cornerback Shaquille Richardson will try to get off the turf this season against Oklahoma State and running back Joseph Randle. Photo by Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE
Oklahoma State has humbled the Arizona Wildcats in each of the past two seasons, a direct hit to the pride of the UA veterans who have endured losses of 36-10 and 37-14.
Even for senior quarterback Matt Scott, who didn’t play in either game, sitting out the 2010 Alamo Bowl (coaches’ decision) and last season’s game in Stillwater (redshirt).
“I sat back and watched our team get beat two years in a row,” he said. “I wanted to get in there; I wanted to play. But it’s tough.
“(Not playing in the Alamo Bowl) obviously wasn’t my call or my decision. Just watching those two games makes me hungry to beat these guys even more.”
Same goes for junior cornerback Shaquille Richardson. He no longer has to face the departed pass-catch combination of Brandon Weeden-to-Justin Blackmon, but running back Joseph Randle is still around to torment the Cats, as he did last year.
Randle ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns and had 99 receiving yards last season.
“Definitely got to get hands on and play physical,” Richardson said.
“I know, personally, what he presents because he got me last year in the end zone. I’ve been waiting for this game for a long time. It’s going to be a dogfight. … He ran me over in the end zone. I haven’t forgot. We’ll meet again.”
Arizona senior center Kyle Quinn made his first start in the 2010 Alamo Bowl. Tonight’s game at Arizona Stadium (7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks) will be his 15th consecutive start.
“It’s personal,” he said.
“I feel I’m going to be pretty confident going in playing these guys again. We’re home this year. Everybody is going to be fired up. The Zone Zoo is going to be rocking. It’s going to a good fight on a Saturday night.”
Tonight’s game ends Arizona’s home-and-home series against Oklahoma State.