Richard Morrison heads for the end zone on his 63-yard punt return vs. Washington last season. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona senior Richard Morrison, seemingly stalled in his football career, decided he needed to move backward in order to push forward.

Morrison, who has been a quarterback, receiver and punt returner in his four years in Tucson, went to coach Rich Rodriguez this semester and put in for a transfer to a new position. Hey, coach, let me try defense.

Morrison, who has been working on his backpedal for several weeks, worked out with the cornerbacks Saturday morning as the Wildcats opened spring practice.

He’s happy to be spending his time going backward on the football field.

“Basically, since I got here when I was a quarterback, I had always wanted to play cornerback if I didn’t play quarterback,” Morrison said. “I got switched to wide receiver and I was good at it, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.

“I went and talked to Coach Rod and he was a little iffy about it at first and then he was like, ‘OK, I’ll let you try it out.’ So he gave me the opportunity and I’m trying to make the best of it.”

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Richard Morrison heads for the end zone on his 63-yard punt return. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Arizona Wildcats junior Richard Morrison has been passed over at slot receiver in the past two games by a walk-on redshirt freshman and a little-used sophomore.

He still found a way to contribute on special teams.

Morrison went 63 yards on a punt return Saturday night for a second-half touchdown against Washington, a score that earned him Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

“First of all, I want to thank the punt return team for blocking for me,” Morrison said after the game.

“It was crazy. Once I caught the ball, I heard my teammates screaming that you have an open path. I looked, and it just parted like the Red Sea and I took off. Once I knew I had gotten past the punter, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m actually going to score.’”

It wasn’t over yet.

Morrison said his legs started “giving out on me” and he was struggling to make strides while Arizona’s Mark Watley, ahead of the play, was waving Morrison on toward the goal line. Morrison knew a Washington defender — Taz Stevenson — was closing.

“I’m thankful for Mark Watley for saving me at the end,” Morrison said.

“When I was running, my leg wouldn’t pick up, and it was hurting. I looked back, and that dude probably would have tackled me at the 5-yard line. Mark jumped in front of me and blocked him.”

The touchdown gave Arizona a 45-17 lead with 9:35 to play in the third quarter. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez called it a “backbreaker” for Washington. UA was happy to run the ball and play defense after that, winning 52-17.

For Morrison, it was a highlight in what has been a tough season. He has bobbled a couple of punts and dropped several passes, which has led to a diminished role on offense.

Two games ago, redshirt freshman Johnny Jackson played ahead of Morrison and caught 10 passes at Stanford. With Jackson out because of an ankle injury, sophomore Garic Wharton got the majority of playing time in the slot, catching a 33-yard touchdown (while running the wrong route).

“It’s not bitter, because I do what I can for the team,” Morrison said.

“I feel that when Garic Wharton came in and Johnny Jackson came in, I took them under my wing. It makes me happy because I actually taught them a lot of stuff. So, it doesn’t make me mad they’re actually playing now.

“I’m like a big brother to them.”

Rodriguez doesn’t mind the competition. On a thin team, there’s not a lot of that to go around in practice.

“I think all of our guys understand that we have open competition for every position every day, not just on game day,” he said.

“I think players like the fact that they have to perform every day, they have to compete every day. We have Richard Morrison, who we have a lot of confidence in. We’ve got Johnny Jackson, who earned a job before he got hurt, and now you have Garic Wharton.

“Now we have three guys that are all competing for that starting slot receiver position. That just makes us a better team, plus it gives us as coaches more confidence that we can play all three guys and not limit what we do offensively.”

Morrison was bothered by a hamstring injury in camp, and it should be noted that Rodriguez says the junior has not been completely healthy. Morrison still ranks third on the team in receptions with 23 for 171 yards.

“I have a lot of confidence in him,” Rodriguez said. “He’s been banged up and probably hasn’t said a lot about it,” Rodriguez said.

Now, Morrison has a feel-good moment and a Pac-12 weekly award for Arizona’s first punt return touchdown since Bug Wright went 86 yards against Washington State on Nov. 7, 2009.

“I did what I could to help the team,” Morrison said.

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You can see the punt return starting at about the 37-second mark of the highlights from the Pac-12 Networks:

Richard Morrison caught 41 passes in the past two seasons for Arizona. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

The Richard Morrison experiment is over. Or at least on an indefinite hold.

The high school quarterback-turned college wide receiver-turned spring practice quarterback is back at wide receiver.

“It’s wide receiver all the way,” Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez said after Friday night’s practice.

Well, mostly.

“We might try to give him a few reps at quarterback here and there because he’s explosive,” Rodriguez said.

Morrison, a redshirt junior, got an audition at quarterback in the spring with the new coaching staff and the new read-option offense that fits his athletic skills. The Wildcats didn’t have another quarterback on scholarship after senior Matt Scott.

Now, they do.

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Richard Morrison celebrates one of his two touchdown receptions in last year's spring game. Photo by David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic

Arizona fans could see No. 8 back at quarterback this season.

Wildcats junior wide receiver Richard Morrison has undergone a number change, as well as a potential switch of positions, spending the first spring practice of the Rich Rodriguez era on Monday entirely at quarterback.

“It was a little weird, but I was comfortable,” Morrison said.

“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought. Well, at the beginning I was really nervous. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I haven’t done this in a long time.’ But it’s pretty good right now. I like it.”

He has ditched his old No. 14 number in favor of No. 8, last worn by quarterback Nick Foles.

“I told Nick Foles I was going to take after him,” Morrison said with a smile.

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WR Richard Morrison, celebrating a touchdown in the spring game, is a prime candidate at punt returner. Photo by David Kadlubowski, The Arizona Republic

One of the people we caught up with for a few minutes after Arizona’s first fall practice was assistant Jeff Hammerschmidt, who coaches special teams and defensive ends.

We’ll save some of the talk about the defensive ends for another time as Arizona shifts through replacements at those positions for three players who are now in NFL camps.

As for special teams, Hammerschmidt is working with a new punter (Kyle Dugandzic, who was here in the spring), new returners (look for speedy Garic Wharton on kickoffs) and possibly a new placekicker. Junior college transfer Jaimie Salazar is here to compete with incumbent Alex Zendejas.

Here is some of our conversation with Hammerschmidt following the first practice, which began at 6:15 a.m. at the Rincon Vista Complex:

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David Roberts (left) and Juron Criner celebrate after Criner's touchdown catch against Arizona State last season. Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic

Here is the fifth part of our Arizona Wildcats football preview in collaboration with our Gannett partner, The Arizona Republic.

We write the words, and they have taken the cool photographs and put it all together in a slick presentation at azcentral.com.

Check back here and at azcentral.com every Friday as we roll out more of our preview every week, all the way into August.

This week: Wide receivers (I talked to receivers coach Dave Nichol this week, so there are some fresh quotes in this preview):

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Flipping over on your head without catching the ball: Bad.
Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Football life is good for Arizona Wildcats receivers coach Dave Nichol.

He has an All-American in senior Juron Criner.

He has more trustworthy seniors in David Douglas and Dave Roberts.

He has a touted junior transfer from Texas — Dan Buckner.

He has promising inside receivers of differing sizes — junior Terrence Miller (big) and sophomore Richard Morrison (small).

He has three redshirt freshmen he can deploy this season — Austin Hill, Tyler Slavin and super speedy Garic Wharton.

He has, to sum up, one of the best receiving corps in the country.

“We need to tap the brakes on that,” Nichol said.

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Bug Wright catches the game-winning TD pass aganist Iowa.
Photo by Chris Morrison, US PRESSWIRE

The Arizona football team is deepest at receiver, even with senior Bug Wright no longer with the Wildcats.

“Just a violation of team policies and rules,” coach Mike Stoops said Wednesday morning. “It’s been a chronic problem that hasn’t rectified itself.”

Stoops said he didn’t know what Wright would do next. Wright, who has used his redshirt season, would have to transfer to a lower-division school to continue playing because he wouldn’t have to sit out a year.

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Nick Foles throws in spring ball under the watchful eyes of quarterbacks coach Frank Scelfo (left).
Photo by WildcatSportsReport.com

With the spring game looming on Saturday, Arizona coach Mike Stoops is ready to declare the strength of the team.

“I have been pleased with the progression of all three quarterbacks,” Stoops said after Wednesday morning’s practice. “I think there is a difference in every one of them when you look at them.”

It’s probably no coincidence that for the first time, Stoops has a quarterbacks coach who does not double as offensive coordinator, as Mike Canales and Sonny Dykes did.

Frank Scelfo, who tutored four NFL quarterbacks while at Tulane, can focus solely on improving the mechanics and the minds of Nick Foles, Matt Scott and Bryson Beirne.

“I think it’s a different aspect that we haven’t had for the quarterback position,” Stoops said of having Scelfo as a dedicated position coach. “You can have all the ability, but you still have to have the proper mechanics to throw the football accurately. Frank’s expertise in that area has definitely helped.”

**Here is more from Stoops about the quarterbacks:

“Nick really went to a different level this spring, along with Matt. I think both of them are much more polished players, just seeing things quicker, reacting quicker, getting the ball out of their hands, throwing the ball down the field better — every aspect of their game. Their intelligence. I just think they are much more confident players.”

**Beirne, a redshirt junior, has always been a good soldier, despite having only the slimmest prospects of playing time. In scrimmage situations, he has shown a good arm and good decision-making. It certainly wouldn’t be a disaster if he was forced into action by injuries.

“I think Bryson has made some positive steps as well in his limited reps,” Stoops said. “So we feel good. The quarterback position is probably the strongest position on the field.”

**It helps the quarterbacks that the receiver position is the “next position I feel really good about,” Stoops said.

Senior Delashaun Dean and junior Juron Criner are 6-4 outside receivers who combined for 87 catches for 978 yards and 11 touchdowns — nine by Criner — last season. They are givens. Stoops on Wednesday also singled out junior Bug Wright, who was limited by injuries last season, and redshirt freshman Richard Morrison, converting from quarterback.

“Richard Morrison is coming on. That has been a really positive move,” Stoops said.

He added: “Our skill is probably as good as it has ever been.”

**The big question on offense heading into the spring was identifying the play-caller after Stoops promoted Bill Bedenbaugh and Seth Littrell to co-coordinators. It was assumed that Littrell, by virtue of his game-day position in the coaches box, would be the one actually calling down the plays to the sideline, and it appears that will be the case.

“He and Bill set up the daily game plan, and then Seth calls it,” Stoops said. “Still, I’m not really worried about scoring points, really. I think we should be able to do that pretty consistently. I think we’re much better offensively than a year ago.”

**There isn’t a quarterback controversy, but Scott’s throwing appears to be improved, and perhaps the coaches won’t be afraid to let him wing it when he comes into the game as a running change-up to Foles.

“I think I have improved a lot,” Scott said.

“Since Coach Scelfo has been here, I have learned a lot and progressed a lot through him. I just feel like I am improving every day. I’m really confident.”

Earlier this spring, Scelfo said Scott’s throwing motion had gotten “too long,” and he had lost velocity and accuracy because of it. He also discussed how he was working on Foles’ footwork.

“Every time I don’t throw it how he wants it, he is going to let me know,” Scott said of Scelfo.

“He is going to tell me how it is. That is what I like about him. He’s a straight-up guy with you. He is going to give it to you straight. And I feel that is what I need.”

Stoops

Arizona coach Mike Stoops said Wednesday he could have a new offensive coordinator by the end of the week.

Stoops said he has brought in three coaches for interviews.

“We’re close,” Stoops said. “I’d say by Friday we’ll make some kind of decision.”

Stoops must replace Sonny Dykes, who left to become the head coach of Louisiana Tech on Jan. 20 – two weeks before signing day. The Wildcats lost quarterback recruit Matt Brown because of it; Brown signed with TCU.

“I’ve liked everyone I’ve had in,” Stoops said. “There are a lot of unbelievable coaches out there who have great experience and great ideas. We’re trying to find someone who will fit in with our staff the best.”

Even with a new coordinator, there likely won’t be a major shift in scheme as the Wildcats figure to remain a spread team, using plenty of four-receiver sets and the shotgun formation.

“The decision is going to be very difficult,” Stoops said. “I have interviewed three tremendous guys I have taken a liking to. That really is the hardest part of our job sometimes, hiring people and telling other people no.”

The new hire could possibly have a co-coordinator title with Bill Bedenbaugh, the offensive line coach and running game coordinator. Arizona will have co-defensive coordinators next season, with linebackers coach Tim Kish and newcomer Greg Brown, who will be coaching the secondary.

RELATED: Free press conference video from ArizonaWildcats.com

The official Arizona release on its 20-player signing class

SWITCHING POSITIONS
Richard Morrison, who redshirted as a freshman quarterback last season, has moved to a slot receiver position. Morrison, who is listed at 6-0, 180, was a dual-threat quarterback at Royce City (Texas) High School.

DeWayne Peace, who redshirted at receiver last season, will now try cornerback. Peace is 5-11, 180.

“They’re both tremendous athletes that we need to get on the field,” Stoops said. “I have been really impressed with both players.”

UPDATING MATT SCOTT
Junior quarterback Matt Scott, who was a transfer possibility after losing the starting job to classmate Nick Foles after the third game of last season, is back to compete at the position. Arizona also has junior Bryson Beirne.

“There is always the possibility of redshirting,” Stoops said of Scott.

Scott also is athletic enough to play another position.

“We’ll look at all our options, see what Matt feels comfortable doing, where he’s at, how he’s playing,” Stoops said. “All those things we’ll research and prepare for by the season if he’s not the starter.”

OPENER ON ESPN
Arizona announced Wednesday that the team’s season-opener at Toledo has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 4, to Friday, Sept. 3, to accommodate ESPN television.

“It’s going to be great,” Stoops said. “The Friday night before the first football (weekend), playing that game on ESPN, it just continues to give us national exposure … you know, if we play well.

“I think it’s certainly going to get our players’ attention.”

Toledo was 5-7 last season under first-year coach Tim Beckman, and Stoops noted that the Rockets defeated visiting Colorado last season, 54-38.

“I keep reminding Coach Brown about that,” Stoops said of his new co-defensive coordinator. “I think we will be well prepared.”

NEW UNIS
Stoops said Arizona is tweaking its uniforms for next season, and that he wouldn’t rule out using the white helmets, which the Wildcats wore for the first team in his tenure during the Holiday Bowl loss at Nebraska.

“We’re going to have a bunch of different looks that we will be able to accessorize our players with,” Stoops said. “That is kind of the fad we’re in right now with kids and players. We’re trying to keep up with it.

“If it makes them happy, then I’m happy. I really don’t care what we wear.”

Stoops said the uniforms would be “more toward our old look and a little more traditional but still modern” … whatever that means.

At least the colors will stay the same.

NOTABLE
Redshirt freshman defensive end Jackson Powell has left the program, Stoops said. … Stoops on safety recruit Josh Robbins from Canyon del Oro High School: “I think Josh Robbins is kind of a diamond in the rough. He has a huge upside.” … UA officially announced the hiring of Dave Emerick as the assistant director of operations/director of on-campus recruiting. He has spent the past six seasons with Texas Tech, the last two in a “chief of staff” position.