2002 Statistics

written by Collin Mickle

Arizona is a team that will have to reinvent itself in 2003. After focusing on the pass, the Wildcats must start over at quarterback. Sophomore Nic Costa takes over for departed senior Jason Johnson. Arizona does return its top three rushers, led by sophomore Mike Bell (341 yards as a redshirt freshman).

Bell and the other tailbacks will be expected to pick up most of the slack while Costa adjusts to the starting job. If the run game can provide any kind of positive impact, it will be a welcome change for UA - last in the Pac-10 in rushing at an almost-unbelievable 43.8 yards per game.

Although Arizona's spread attack puts a premium on short passes to replace the traditional run game, the ground attack should not be completely abandoned. It is up to Bell and his position mates - particularly sophomore backups Beau Carr and Gainus Scott - to ensure that defenses cannot predict the play-call.

The run-game woes could be easily solved by the return of senior tailback Clarence Farmer, who led the Pac-10 in rushing in 2001 but missed most of '02 (knee injury). Farmer did not participate in spring drills, telling the media he had been suspended. According to notoriously tough head coach John Mackovic, Farmer has "academic issues" to resolve. Farmer is not expected to return to the team, although he has not been released from his scholarship at Arizona and is not rumored to be considering a transfer. Any changes will be updated here.

With Farmer's return unlikely, the key to improving that suspect ground attack will be up front. The offensive line, which lost only one starter, should be vastly improved. This would be a welcome change for the UA offense, which was hamstrung by its one-dimensional qualities throughout 2002. The line will be youthful - only one senior, right tackle Brandon Phillips, is projected as a starter - but the talent level should be increased. Redshirt freshman John Parada, who enters the fall as a possible starter up front, could be a mainstay at the position for the next three seasons.

Bobby Wade, a fifth-round pick (Chicago) in April's NFL draft, finished his career in Tucson with the career and single-season receiving records previously held by Wildcat All-American Dennis Northcut. Arizona's second-leading receiver last season, senior Andrae Thurman, will be asked to step into Wade's sizeable shoes on offense as well as on special teams. Thurman, who benefited from opponents' constant double-teaming of Wade last season (61 catches) will have a tough adjustment as the first option on most plays.

Senior Lance Relford and Thurman have field-stretching speed, which could open up the middle of the field for tight end Steve Fleming, another new starter. Fleming is a sizeable target (6-6, 250) and could be a dangerous weapon if he can get open.

Delivering the ball to this inexperienced corps of pass-catchers will be the task of Costa, who saw limited action as Johnson's backup last season. Costa played well in those brief opportunities as a redshirt freshman, but will have a hard time matching the production of Johnson, a two-year starter with a strong arm and an excellent grasp of now-departed offensive coordinator Rick Dyke's spread offense. New offense, new QB, new results. Better or worse will be seen come season.

QB Nic Costa

written by Collin Mickle

Five starters return to 2002's eighth-ranked total defense in the Pac-10. The most notable departure was that of middle linebacker Lance Briggs, the team's leading tackler, a first-team All-Conference selection, and a third-round choice (Chicago) in April's NFL draft.

Under new defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz, the Wildcats are switching to a 3-4 defense after playing a 4-3. The double-eagle flex is a thing of the past. Three down linemen and four linebackers will be installed instead of having a whip linebacker who revolved between a defensive end to a linebacker. All three projected starting defensive linemen saw action at DT. Junior Carlos Williams and sophomore Brad Brittain will enter fall practice as the starters at end, while 300-pound junior Vince Feula seems tailor-made to the challenging noseguard role.

Senior inside linebacker Joe Siofele is a main key to any improvement. Siofele managed 5.5 sacks playing end, and was third on the squad with 66 tackles. With the transition to a 3-4 look, Siofele will be playing in space more, putting his excellent speed to better use while sparing his 260-pound frame some of the pounding that he absorbed on the line.

On the outside, sophomores Copeland Bryant (team sack leader) and Marcus Smith earned starting nods with strong performances in the spring. Junior Pat Howard was the favorite to start at the other inside linebacker position before undergoing minor surgery on his right shoulder near the conclusion of spring practice. Howard is expected to miss most of fall preseason practice, but should be ready for the start of the season. If Howard's rehab is slow, scrappy junior Kirk Johnson could step into the lineup.

The defensive backfield, which helped the 'Cats finish in the top third of the Pac Ten in passing defense, must replace two starters. The newbies make the secondary more talented than the '02 model. Sophomore Darrell Brooks, who spent 2002 at cornerback, will begin the fall as the starter at free safety. A pair of seniors, Gary Love and Michael Jolivette, will start on the corners. Before injuring his knee last September, Jolivette was an All-Conference candidate who had started 24 consecutive games with 10 career interceptions and usually took on single coverage. Speedy sophomore Lamon Means will get a look at one of the safety spots, but could see corner time if weaknesses arise there.

Even with Briggs, and departed outside linebacker Ray Wells, the Wildcats finished last in the Pac-10 in rushing defense, allowing 161.8 yards per game. The key to improving that statistic - and improving on 'Zona's 4-8 finish - starts with the defensive line.

CB Michael Jolivette