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Offense dominates in UA football spring game
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Wildcat football

Offense dominates in UA football spring game

Fans get first taste what's to come under new head coach

  • The 2012 University of Arizona's spring football game started off with a full squad warmup and drills.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe 2012 University of Arizona's spring football game started off with a full squad warmup and drills.
  • Taimi Tutogi is stripped of the ball by Tra'Mayne Bondurant.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTaimi Tutogi is stripped of the ball by Tra'Mayne Bondurant.
  • Richard Morrison hands off the ball to Greg Nwoko.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRichard Morrison hands off the ball to Greg Nwoko.
  • Arizona's offense and defense lined up against each other for the annual spring game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comArizona's offense and defense lined up against each other for the annual spring game.
  • A crowd of nearly 5,000 fans braved the chill weather to get a glimpse of what new head coach Rich Rodriguez will bring to the Arizona football program.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comA crowd of nearly 5,000 fans braved the chill weather to get a glimpse of what new head coach Rich Rodriguez will bring to the Arizona football program.
  • Richard Morrison carries the ball in the 2012 edition of the Arizona Spring Game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRichard Morrison carries the ball in the 2012 edition of the Arizona Spring Game.
  • Dan Buckner is forced out of bounds by the Arizona defense.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comDan Buckner is forced out of bounds by the Arizona defense.
  • Quarterback Matt Scott threw for 315 yards in Saturday's exhibition.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comQuarterback Matt Scott threw for 315 yards in Saturday's exhibition.
  • Defensive end Reggie Gilbert was a bit rattled after an early tackle, but was able to continue later in the game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comDefensive end Reggie Gilbert was a bit rattled after an early tackle, but was able to continue later in the game.
  • Matt Scott showed that his ability to run the ball could give the Cats an added offensive dimension next season.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comMatt Scott showed that his ability to run the ball could give the Cats an added offensive dimension next season.
  • Offense dominated in Arizona football's annual spring game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comOffense dominated in Arizona football's annual spring game.
  • Tyler Slavin celebrates one of his three touchdown catches.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTyler Slavin celebrates one of his three touchdown catches.
  • Johnny Jackson looks to pick up yardage down the right side of the field.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comJohnny Jackson looks to pick up yardage down the right side of the field.
  • Richard Morrison darts between to defenders.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRichard Morrison darts between to defenders.
  • Quarterback Alex Cappellini rushes with the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comQuarterback Alex Cappellini rushes with the ball.
  • Wildcats quarterback Matt Scott threw completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts in the annual Arizona spring game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comWildcats quarterback Matt Scott threw completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts in the annual Arizona spring game.
  • Dan Buckner catches a pass in the endzone.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comDan Buckner catches a pass in the endzone.
  • Tyler Slavin forces his way across the line to score a touchdown late in the
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTyler Slavin forces his way across the line to score a touchdown late in the
  • New Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez speaks with his players after the game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez speaks with his players after the game.
  • Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez in the media scrum after the 2012 Spring Game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comWildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez in the media scrum after the 2012 Spring Game.

Arizona football fans found themselves in unfamiliar territory Saturday as a new era for the program kicked off at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.

A new head coach, new players and new tactics combined with a trip across town to make this one of the more unique games for the roughly 5,000 people who showed up.

Saturday's offense vs. defense scrimmage was the first chance that Wildcats fans have had to see what next season might look like under Rich Rodriguez.

Quarterback Matt Scott likely will be the most obvious change. Scott offers the team a different dimension because of his ability to run with the ball.

That running ability was not prominent in this game, though, as he was put out in a red jersey, indicating to the defense not to hit him, in an effort to avoid injury. Scott's passing was good, completing 22 of 35 for a total of 315 yards.

Sophomore receiver Tyler Slavin showed well with three touchdowns to his name. Junior Richard Morrison also showed his versatility by slotting in as quarterback for part of the game in addition to his more familiar role as wide receiver. Morrison ended the day with two touchdowns of his own. The Arizona offense ended up with 10 touchdowns and 597 yards total.

The fans also were pleased to see that attention is being paid to the Wildcats' kicking game. The team put eight of their nine field-goal attempts between the uprights.

Construction at Arizona Stadium meant  the county facility was the venue used for Rodriguez's public unveiling.

The baseball park has played host to collegiate football once already this year when the college all-star game was held at Kino this January. The park also converted into a soccer pitch for Major League Soccer preseason in February and March.

The Spring Football Game involved much less retrofitting than the other events, as the dirt infield remained intact, minus the pitcher's mound. A gridiron was painted over the infield and outfield, but otherwise, the park reflected the needs of current tenants, the Tucson Padres.

The Arizona spring football game offered only a glimpse of what is to come under the new regime of Rodriguez. Wildcats supporters will have to wait until September to get a full picture of how things have changed from the Mike Stoops era.

UA opens the 2012 season at home against Toledo on Sept. 1. One week later we'll see what the Cats are made of when the Oklahoma State Cowboys ride into town. The Cowboys' last trip to Arizona was in January. They left as Fiesta Bowl champions.

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