Wildcat defense bests opponents
Only a week after holding Stanford to three total points,
Arizona’s iron-clad defense limited then-No. 18 USC to a mere
10 yards rushing and added to the onslaught by forcing five
turnovers and recording five quarterback sacks. Arizona easily
leads the Pac-10 conference in scoring defense, with its front
seven being especially impressive in stopping the run. Through five
games, the Wildcats have held opponents to an average of 62.2
rushing yards per game, 1.8 yards per carry and a miniscule two
rushing touchdowns.
“We are attacking offenses,” said Arizona defensive
end Idris Haroon. “We just want to bury them, put them in the
dirt.”
As the only Pac-10 team besides Oregon to still be undefeated in
conference play, Arizona looks to continue its defensive dominance
Saturday against Washington State.
The nation’s best conference?
The Pac-10 is certainly making its case this season to be
regarded as the nation’s strongest conference. In recent AP
polls, seven Pac-10 teams ranked among the nation’s 30 top
teams, including five in the top 25 for the second consecutive
week. Off to an impressive start, Oregon leads the way with a No. 9
ranking, the fourth Pac-10 team this season to have broken the
top-10 barrier. Washington comes next with a No. 11 ranking,
followed by 13th-ranked UCLA. Rounding out the rest of the list
include No. 22 Arizona, No. 23 Oregon State, No. 28 Arizona State
and No. 29 USC.
Football players receive honors
Arizona cornerback Michael Jolivette was named Pac-10 Defensive
Player of the Week for his strong effort against then-No. 18 USC
over the weekend. Jolivette had two key interceptions in the second
half of the game to thwart Trojan drives, including a 34-yard
return that resulted in a touchdown. He also recorded six tackles,
all of them solo.
Also receiving recognition was Washington tailback Paul Arnold,
who was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week for his part in
the 33-30 Husky win over Oregon State. Arnold rushed for 102 yards
on 16 carries, as well as receiving for 65 yards.
Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week honors went to
Washington State place-kicker Anousith Wilkaikul.
Semi-finalists named for award
Cal defensive end Andre Carter and Stanford defensive tackle
Willie Howard were the two Pac-10 candidates out of a field of 12
named as semifinalists for the 2000 Rotary Lombardi Award. The
award, which honors the nation’s top outstanding college
lineman, is awarded at the end of the season.
Compiled by Josh Mason, Daily Bruin Contributor.