Bear Down Wildcats

Chicat wrote:Now we riot.

Chicat wrote:Now we riot.

The NCAA stats show Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright tied for second nationally with 13 sacks and first in tackles for loss (2.3 per game, 20.5 total).

But not really.

Arizona announced Wednesday a statistical change from the Washington State game, when Wright forced three fumbles and was credited with three sacks, which also count, by definition, as a tackle for loss. Those stats all came on the three plays, as Wright swatted the ball from the hand of quarterback Connor Halliday -- forced fumble, sack, tackle for loss.

But one of those fumbles was recovered by an offensive lineman and returned for no gain. According to college statistical guidelines, because the fumble was returned to the line of scrimmage, there is no sack and tackle for loss.

"Interesting," Wright said after practice Wednesday, although he merely shrugged. "I really don't care."

Wright's new totals heading into the this weekend's Washington game -- 12 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss -- will be reflected when the NCAA releases new national stats Sunday.

Kevin Gemmell/@Kevin_Gemmell: Arizona LB Scooby Wright

Why can’t we talk about a defensive player for the Heisman? Arizona's Scooby Wright leads the Pac-12 in tackles per game, tackles for a loss per game and is second in the conference in total sacks. The first stat makes sense for a middle linebacker. But the other two don’t. Those premium stats behind the line of scrimmage are usually reserved for odd-front hybrids and even-front defensive ends.

In other words, Wright is transcending the traditional role of the middle linebacker. The Pac-12 blog is a huge fan of Eric Kendricks, who might be the best pure middle linebacker in the league. But he’s not wrecking it behind the line of scrimmage the way Wright is.

He’s first nationally in tackles per game among Power 5 conference players, tied for first in tackles for a loss (with Washington’s Hau'oli Kikaha) and second nationally to Kikaha in sacks per game.

I can hear the Shaq Thompson argument coming a mile away. And while the Washington running backer might be the best athlete in the country -- his two-way play has detracted from his defensive numbers in recent weeks. And that’s where he makes his bones.

Like many, I’m fed up sometimes that the Heisman has morphed into the dual-threat quarterback of the year award. But if anyone wants to have a serious conversation about a defensive player for the Heisman – then in 2014, it’s Wright.

Bruce Feldman of FOXSports.com was in Tucson this week for a round of interviews, including with Wright.

"He thought I was going to be a lot shorter. It kind of offended me a little bit, I'm not going to lie," Wright said, laughing. "He said, 'I thought you were going to be shorter than me.'"

Just to be clear: Scooby was under-recruited, is not under-sized.

"I think it does make me a little angry or a little pissed off when people say I'm undersized," he said. "I'm 6-1, 247 pounds, that's pretty solid size."

Wright said his father called Tuesday night after watching analyst Rick Neuheisel on the Pac-12 Networks.
"He said, 'Rick Neuheisel just said you're 5-foot-9,'" Scooby said. "That was just funny."

ANGCatFan wrote:Funny side note from Gimino's article at FSA

Bruce Feldman of FOXSports.com was in Tucson this week for a round of interviews, including with Wright.

"He thought I was going to be a lot shorter. It kind of offended me a little bit, I'm not going to lie," Wright said, laughing. "He said, 'I thought you were going to be shorter than me.'"

Just to be clear: Scooby was under-recruited, is not under-sized.

"I think it does make me a little angry or a little pissed off when people say I'm undersized," he said. "I'm 6-1, 247 pounds, that's pretty solid size."

Wright said his father called Tuesday night after watching analyst Rick Neuheisel on the Pac-12 Networks.
"He said, 'Rick Neuheisel just said you're 5-foot-9,'" Scooby said. "That was just funny."

Not sure how the "Scooby is too short" rumor got started, but maybe Feldman can help end it.

KillerKlown wrote:Didn't he also have a fumble recovery against UCLA?

azgreg wrote:

KillerKlown wrote:Didn't he also have a fumble recovery against UCLA?

No, the one fUCLA fumble was recovered by Jamar Allah.

Alieberman wrote: I'm not trying to make a Machina-like point here, but I couldn't help but think to myself, I wonder if there is any resentment from his teammates for the way he is treated?

Alieberman wrote:I think so too, and I only brought it up because I thought it was odd that the PA announcer made such a big deal out of every single play that occurred around Scooby. If anything I would think that Scooby might be a bit ticked or embarrassed at all the "over" attention.

Gimino wrote:http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/2744 ... f-schedule

UAEebs86 wrote: Idiots. Just like when they didn't have Ka'Deem on the Doak Walker the year he led the nation in rushing.

By season’s end, he’ll be the first Scooby to earn All-Pac-12 honors and perhaps other awards. Earlier this week, Wright was named a finalist for the Nagurski and Lombardi awards.

Wright ranks first nationally in tackles for a loss per game (2.2), third in sacks per game (1.2), fourth in tackles per game (11.8) and tied for first in forced fumbles (five).

With numbers like that, Wright may be on the verge of rare rise from recruiting obscurity to national prominence.

If Wright is a consensus All-American this season, he’ll be the sixth defensive freshman or sophomore since 2009 to earn that honor.

The others on the list are a who’s who of college and NFL stars: South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu, Georgia’s Jarvis Jones, Boston College’s Luke Kuechly and Texas’ Earl Thomas.

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

MrBug708 wrote:The three first team all pac12 LBers are all pretty much set in stone at this point.

the real dill wrote:

PieceOfMeat wrote:"And Scooby do what Scooby do"

lmfao

Merkin wrote:
“To do is to be”—Jean-Paul Sartre.

“Do be do be do”—Frank Sinatra.

2014 Chuck Bednarik Award Finalists
Vic Beasley - Clemson - Defensive End - Senior
Joey Bosa - Ohio State - Defensive End - Sophomore
Scooby Wright III - Arizona - Linebacker - Sophomore

Wright is the only FBS player to rank in the top-25 individually for each of these four categories (based on per game): tackles (117), tackles for loss (21.0), sacks (12.0) and forced fumbles (5). Wright has at least one tackle for loss in all 10 games this season and has had a sack in eight of the 10 contests. In Arizona’s 27-26 win over Washington on Saturday, Wright recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss of five yards. Through 10 games, he totals 117 tackles, 21.0 tackles for 78 yards lost, 12.0 sacks for 61 yards lost, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

UAEebs86 wrote:Finalist for best defensive player but not a finalist for best linebacker. SMH