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.

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Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon runs past Arizona cornerback Robert Golden in the Alamo Bowl.
Photo by Matt Strasen-US PRESSWIRE

It’s been mostly good news.

There wasn’t much doubt that Arizona Wildcats junior quarterback Nick Foles was coming back … and he is. The case of junior receiver Juron Criner was, as he put it at one point last month, 50-50. But he has told coach Mike Stoops that he will be back in 2011.

Now, the bad news.

The Wildcats’ schedule for the first half of the 2011 season is loaded with five teams that defeated Arizona last season. The Cats have to play Oklahoma State, Stanford and Oregon in September; those teams were a combined 35-4 in 2010 and each finished in the top 10 of the final coaches poll.

Now, the worse news.

The stars of those teams are all coming back.

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Trevin Wade's best moment of the season came when he picked off this deflected pass and returned it 85 yards for a TD against Iowa. Photo by Chris Morrison, US-PRESSWIRE

Trevin Wade’s banishment to the bench will last only one game.

Arizona Wildcats coach Mike Stoops said Monday morning that the junior cornerback will be back in the starting lineup for Friday’s game at top-ranked Oregon.

True freshman Shaquille Richardson got the start in the last game, against USC, with Wade playing off the bench. The plan is to use those two, plus starting cornerback Robert Golden.

“We’re just trying to rotate all three of them,” Stoops said.

Wade has struggled this season, suffering a thigh injury against Oregon State and giving up too many big plays.

“He’s a got a great attitude,” said co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Greg Brown.

“I mean, he’s come out, he’s practicing hard, he’s into it, going 100 miles an hour, very helpful with Shaquille and Jonathan McKnight, the younger guys. He’s done a great job. My hat’s off to him. His back was to the wall, and he’s come out swinging.”

It will be interesting to see if Arizona follows the model Cal used in slowing down the high-scoring Ducks two weeks ago — and we’re not talking about allegedly faking injuries.

The Bears challenged Oregon by bringing down personnel, spying on quarterback Darron Thomas, crowding the line of scrimmage and playing man coverage on the outside. If Arizona dares Thomas to throw, Wade, Golden and Richardson are going to have to be up to the task.

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