2014 season

[ANGCatFan]

Good article on the offensive line and their senior leaders at SB Nation.

Lots of love being given to Anu and Nick, but they were able to grow and lead the Wildcat offense because of our line. Plus it can't be mentioned enough that Baucus and Ebbele have started 99 games together as Wildcats and Mickey holds the school record with 50 consecutive starts and still counting.

[azpenguin]

The thing with Baucus and Ebbele to remember is that they started beginning with the start of the 2011 season - that year, the Cats began the season with a total of one start between all five starting linemen (Kyle Quinn started the 2010 Alamo Bowl and that was it.) Those guys have been through a lot of change and as rough as that 2011 campaign was, it did help lay some foundation for the future. I have faith in the coaches to keep the O-line going and it's been a heavy point of emphasis for them in recruiting. You just can't replace the kind of experience these guys have, though.

[azgreg]

this is pretty cool.

[PieceOfMeat]

might be a stupid question, but is there a way to get a higher resolution version of that?

[scumdevils86]

might be a stupid question, but is there a way to get a higher resolution version of that?

yeah I couldn't read any of it

[azgreg]

Can you do something with this?

[PieceOfMeat]

couldn't find the thread with the season poll, so just bumping this one.

much better season than I was anticipating. Yeah, some hard losses, but 10 wins was 2 more in the regular season than I had predicted.

Anyone think that whatever bowl game we go to might border on a "must win" to keep the good vibe of the season flowing into the offseason recruiting and next season?

[UAEebs86]

couldn't find the thread with the season poll, so just bumping this one.

much better season than I was anticipating. Yeah, some hard losses, but 10 wins was 2 more in the regular season than I had predicted.

Anyone think that whatever bowl game we go to might border on a "must win" to keep the good vibe of the season flowing into the offseason recruiting and next season?

Nah. 90+% of the recruiting for this season is done. Next year's recruiting class we will be able to tell we were PAC-12 South Champs. Not sure
the bowl game makes much difference at this point. If it does, shouldn't we be rooting for a crappy team to play then so we know it's a sure win
rather than a quality bowl?

[DaddyO'Cat]

couldn't find the thread with the season poll, so just bumping this one.

much better season than I was anticipating. Yeah, some hard losses, but 10 wins was 2 more in the regular season than I had predicted.

Anyone think that whatever bowl game we go to might border on a "must win" to keep the good vibe of the season flowing into the offseason recruiting and next season?

Nah. 90+% of the recruiting for this season is done. Next year's recruiting class we will be able to tell we were PAC-12 South Champs. Not sure
the bowl game makes much difference at this point. If it does, shouldn't we be rooting for a crappy team to play then so we know it's a sure win
rather than a quality bowl?

I see your point. I just stated the same concern as POM did in the EDT thread. (And praise for 10 wins)

[Chicat]

[ANGCatFan]

Tonight was the team's award banquet. Here is the story from the official site:

TUCSON, Ariz. – University of Arizona's football program celebrated its senior class and the 2014 season with its annual banquet on Sunday afternoon at the Westin La Paloma. Hosted by Arizona Athletics, the football players, coaches and staff, athletics staff, fans, family and friends of the department were in attendance.

In an event hosted by the Voice of the Wildcats, Brian Jeffries, the crowd heard from head coach Rich Rodriguez and Athletic Director Greg Byrne.

Sophomore linebacker and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Scooby Wright III was awarded Team MVP. Through 13 games, Wright has 153 total tackles, 28.0 tackles for a loss, 14.0 sacks and six forced fumbles, all team highs.

Redshirt senior safety Jared Tevis was honored with the Tedy Bruschi Award, given to the player who best demonstrates hard work, commitment, determination, leadership, selflessness and gives his all for the good of the team. Tevis has 119 total tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Seniors Dan Pettinato and Steven Gurrola were given awards for Lineman of the Year. Pettinato collected 4.5 sacks while forcing and recovering two fumbles. With Gurrola as the anchor of the offensive line, Arizona ranked in fourth in the conference in scoring (36.7 ppg), rushing (189.8 ypg) and total offense (481.2 ypg).

Also recognized were members of the All-Pac-12 Team, the Pac-12 All-Academic Team, the Pac-12 Players of the Week and the Arizona coaches' Players of the Week.

[azgreg]

CFN 2014 Season Rankings

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1492176.html

9. Arizona 10-3
2014 CFN Season Score: 17.98 2014 CFN Preseason Prediction: 7-5
Key Note: Arizona 31, Oregon 24. The October 2nd win in Eugene meant everything to the season rankings, and even with the blowout loss in the Pac-12 championship, it was still a shockingly great campaign. The Wildcats came up with a terrific five Quality Wins, beating Nevada, Washington, Utah and Arizona State, to go along with the victory over the Ducks. The point differential wasn’t that great for a top ten season, but wins made up for it.

[NorthCtyCat]

Jacob Alsadek was selected as USA Today Freshman All-American team

Few other from PAC-12

OL – Toa Lobendahn, USC

OL – Jacob Alsadek, Arizona

DL – Lowell Lotulelei, Utah

CB – Adoree' Jackson, USC

S – Budda Baker, Washington

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /20476325/

[ANGCatFan]

Athlon Sports lists the top PAC 12 games of 2014. Arizona was involved in 4 of the top 12 games which is just another reminder what a remarkable year of Wildcat football this was.

1. Arizona 31, (2) Oregon 24
Oct. 2, Eugene
The upset heard ‘round the world started the best weekend of action out West. Arizona stunned the Ducks by forcing turnovers, pressuring Marcus Mariota and running the ball. Scooby Wright III became a household name when he stripped Mariota and recovered the fumble to win the game in front of a shocked Autzen Stadium. (The Ducks would have their revenge, however.)


6. Arizona 49, Cal 45
Sept. 20, Tucson
It didn’t feature a ranked team at the time and no one realized how important it would become in the South Division race. Arizona’s successful Hail Mary on the game’s final play eventually would help propel the Wildcats into the Pac-12 title game and first put Anu Solomon on the nation’s radar. The Cats scored 36 points in the final quarter to cap the record-setting comeback.


9. USC 28, (10) Arizona 26
Oct. 11, Tucson
Arizona led after the first quarter and USC led after the second and third. In fact, the Trojans entered the final frame up 28-13 before Anu Solomon led another furious rally. A failed two-point conversion with 1:07 to play left the Cats down by two, but a successful onside kick gave Zona new life. Solomon then raced his offense into field goal range but a last second 36-yard attempt sailed wide right and USC escaped Tucson with a critical win.



10. (14) Arizona 27, Washington 26
Nov. 15, Tucson
The star of this wild game was a kicker. One week after missing a kick that cost Arizona a win over USC, Casey Skowron not only made the game-winning field goal as time expired but scored every point in the fourth quarter for either team and scored a touchdown on a fake field goal in the second quarter. Washington dominated the third quarter but RichRod’s bunch owned the final frame in this wild interdivisional game.


12. (11) Arizona 42, (13) Arizona St 35
Nov. 28, Tucson
Despite Rich Rodriguez’ best efforts, about midway through the game, both teams realized that The Territorial Cup had become the Pac-12 South championship game. Anu Solomon played solid football all game, as did the Cats defense, regardless of which Arizona State quarterback was in the game. The Sun Devils simply couldn’t close the touchdown gap that existed for most of the game. An early defensive TD was the difference.

- See more at: http://athlonsports.com/college-footbal ... Ds3pz.dpuf

[3goggles]

Athlon Sports lists the top PAC 12 games of 2014. Arizona was involved in 4 of the top 12 games which is just another reminder what a remarkable year of Wildcat football this was.

1. Arizona 31, (2) Oregon 24
Oct. 2, Eugene
The upset heard ‘round the world started the best weekend of action out West. Arizona stunned the Ducks by forcing turnovers, pressuring Marcus Mariota and running the ball. Scooby Wright III became a household name when he stripped Mariota and recovered the fumble to win the game in front of a shocked Autzen Stadium. (The Ducks would have their revenge, however.)


6. Arizona 49, Cal 45
Sept. 20, Tucson
It didn’t feature a ranked team at the time and no one realized how important it would become in the South Division race. Arizona’s successful Hail Mary on the game’s final play eventually would help propel the Wildcats into the Pac-12 title game and first put Anu Solomon on the nation’s radar. The Cats scored 36 points in the final quarter to cap the record-setting comeback.


9. USC 28, (10) Arizona 26
Oct. 11, Tucson
Arizona led after the first quarter and USC led after the second and third. In fact, the Trojans entered the final frame up 28-13 before Anu Solomon led another furious rally. A failed two-point conversion with 1:07 to play left the Cats down by two, but a successful onside kick gave Zona new life. Solomon then raced his offense into field goal range but a last second 36-yard attempt sailed wide right and USC escaped Tucson with a critical win.



10. (14) Arizona 27, Washington 26
Nov. 15, Tucson
The star of this wild game was a kicker. One week after missing a kick that cost Arizona a win over USC, Casey Skowron not only made the game-winning field goal as time expired but scored every point in the fourth quarter for either team and scored a touchdown on a fake field goal in the second quarter. Washington dominated the third quarter but RichRod’s bunch owned the final frame in this wild interdivisional game.


12. (11) Arizona 42, (13) Arizona St 35
Nov. 28, Tucson
Despite Rich Rodriguez’ best efforts, about midway through the game, both teams realized that The Territorial Cup had become the Pac-12 South championship game. Anu Solomon played solid football all game, as did the Cats defense, regardless of which Arizona State quarterback was in the game. The Sun Devils simply couldn’t close the touchdown gap that existed for most of the game. An early defensive TD was the difference.

- See more at: http://athlonsports.com/college-footbal ... Ds3pz.dpuf

One week after would've been the WAZZU game. Try like 5 weeks later!

[ANGCatFan]

ESPN blog's top 3 plays of the PAC 12 season. Number 1 is the Hill Mary.

[ANGCatFan]

From the official site a shout out to this year's team captains. We named senior captains for each game, but after the last practice before ASSu these 4 were named team captains for the year.

At the last regular season practice, four seniors were named team captains for the 2014 season: receiver Austin Hill, offensive lineman Steven Gurrola, defensive lineman Dan Pettinato and safety Jared Tevis.

Beating Arizona State in their final regular season game was the best way to finish their career in Arizona stadium, and winning the Fiesta Bowl would be icing on the cake.

“It’s the perfect way to go out,” Tevis said. “Beating ASU this year has been one of my greatest memories and it is an exciting opportunity for us to seal our legacy before we leave. We have a chance to go out as winners and champions.”

[ANGCatFan]

Good season wrap-up video at arizonawildcats.com. Not yet available for embedding.

[azgreg]

Very cool recap/highlight video.