Sunday, September 09, 2007

Post game stuff

We were one of the few who stuck it out for the entire UA/NAU game last night. Post-game traffic was sure light, thanks to those who exited starting at halftime. One guy puts it like this:
Props to those students who helped fill the entire Arizona Zoo prior to Saturday night’s kickoff against NAU. Despite last weekend’s setback to BYU and the fact that NAU is a Big Sky Conference member who plays in the Championship Sub-division (new name for the old Division I-AA), the students were not deterred. I was informed, however, that Arizona Stadium was nearly half empty with 12:25 to go in the fourth with the Wildcats leading 45-24. I don’t understand this. All UA fans have been doing is griping over and bemoaning their team for not winning games and yet when the ‘Cats finally do treat them to a scoreboard game you bail early on them. Nice. The one caveat is that the game did not end until almost 11 p.m. and many UA fans drive for hours from all parts of the state to attend the games. These fans are excused. Actually, so are the others who are trying to get to Dirtbags for a little nightlife after the game, or to the students who need to get to that party where their ‘new’ classmate – the one they’ve been eyeing in Statistics 275 – is supposed to be at. You’re all excused. Those who are not excused: Freshmen. You are required to sing Bear Down and All Hail, Arizona along with our cheer, spirit, and football teams after the game.

Did you hear the one about the UA student who got tasered (TWICE) because the UA oversold the student section? I really don't understand why they couldn't have put them in those empty seats on the East side, upper level. There were plenty more than enough seats to accomodate the 400-500 extra kids who showed up to root on their Cats. Bonus - chances are they would sober up taking all those ramps to the top.


Wilma and I noticed a few changes around the stadium last night. There are new flags spelling out WILDCATS that circle the track after each score. The nerdy Red Zone lights and sirens were missing, and no scoreboard warning either. The Red Zone section seemed smaller and much less vocal, but that could be due to the opponent. Speaking of the scoreboard - the "closed captions" were on all night, which obscured the top third of the image on the screen. We can't really comment on the new announcer - we can't hear him in the South endzone. Please, UA, give us some speakers down there. Another thing we didn't hear - the Pride of Arizona. Once again, the visitors' band was much louder and more energized. We noticed a dude on the UA Flag Line, also. At least he's a little trimmer than the one in there 2 years ago.




Saturday, September 01, 2007

Air Zona? More like Ground Turkey

All that talk about a new wide-open offense with multiple weapons was just that. Talk. It looked like the same old Wildcats out there running the ball, but the kicker was the defense, which played on its heels for the first half until getting into stride in the second. I had figured it would take a little time for Dykes' new offensive plan to work out the kinks, so I was expecting a slow start when we had the ball. This just in.....1 first down in the first half. The Cougar defense looked like they knew our playbook better than we did, so if you like seeing your team get stuffed, this was one is a keeper.
It could be much worse, though. I could be a Michigan fan tonight.

Game 1 2007(08?) Season

Last year’s season-opening tilt between the Arizona Wildcats and BYU Cougars at Arizona Stadium produced one of the most exciting wins of head coach Mike Stoops’ three-year tenure.
Nick Folk banged home a 48-yard field goal with one second remaining on the clock to give the Wildcats a surprising 16-13 win in front of one of the largest crowds in Arizona football history.
This year, the Cougars will be looking for revenge as the Wildcats travel to Provo, Utah on Saturday for the rematch.
We know the defense will show up strong, and we hope upon hope that the Cats will finally have an offense that works.
Bear Down.
  • Here's one oddsmaker that has seen the light. Take the Cats and the points +3 1/2
  • The Cougars think we kept them out of the BCS games last year so they're fired up today. Danger - mad Mormons.
  • BYU trots out what they hope is their next great QB. The fact that he's from the Valley of the Dead, dedshirted a year at Tempe Normal, and is the nephew of that "other" Danny White adds a little something extra to the game. Watch the UA defense key in on poor Max Hall....ouch.
  • Too bad that tonight's game between San Jose State and Tempe won't be on TV. I'd love to see the Tomey/Erickson matchup, the tenth time the coaches have met. I'm thinking Fiesta Bowl 2004, a 29-0 whuppin' Dick laid on Dennis.
  • Willie T has plenty of experience running the spread offense, according to his hometown paper. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in a
    50-45 victory over Nevada Union in the 2004 Sac-Joaquin Section
    Division I final. The more I hear, the more excited I get about the Cats' potential this year.
  • Here are some great football nicknames that aren't of your garden variety. No Banana Slugs or Artichokes, though.
  • Ex-Batcat Jordan Brown makes the Cleveland Indians stand up and take notice of him. MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in back to back seasons.