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The Arizona football team begins its 2013 season against Northern Arizona at Arizona Stadium on Aug. 30, which is 27 days away. From now until then, this Web site will count down the days with facts about the Wildcats, their players, coaching staff and opponents. This is not a ranking, only a list of 100 facts and observances related to the 2013 Arizona football team and coach Rich Rodriguez.
Arizona senior offensive lineman Eric Bender-Ramsay is the largest player on the team at 6-6 and 331 pounds
Arizona last played against Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl 231 days (33 weeks) ago on Dec. 15, 2012. The Wildcats prepare for the 2013 season starting tonight with the beginning of fall camp at 6:30.
As is the case every year, so much happens in between seasons. Here is a brief rundown of the current roster since the Wildcats’ thrilling 49-48 comeback win against the Wolf Pack and spring practice:
— Daniel Jenkins, a senior running back, flirted with the idea of transferring to Washington State, but returned reclaiming his No. 3 jersey. Jarrell Bennett, who would have been a freshman receiver but has left the program, wore the offensive No. 3 in spring practice. The defensive No. 3 belongs to sophomore linebacker Keoni Bush-Loo.
— Other scholarship players besides Bennett who were listed on the spring prospectus roster but are no longer with the Wildcats include seven players. Here is the entire list:
No. 3 Jarrell Bennett, freshman receiver
No. 4 Patrick Onwuasor, sophomore safety
No. 11 Tyler Slavin, junior receiver
No. 31 Rochon Taylor, freshman running back
No. 40 Alex Ragsdale, junior placekicker
No. 85 Dame Ndiaye, sophomore tight end
No. 87 Nolan Heyer, sophomore tight end
— The heaviest player on the roster is 6-foot-6 senior offensive lineman Eric Bender-Ramsay, who weighs in at 331 pounds. He is more than double the weight of Arizona’s lightest player, 5-10 sophomore placekicker Casey Skowron, who weighs 155 pounds.
— Three junior offensive lineman are the tallest on Arizona’s roster at 6-8 — Mickey Baucus, Fabbians Ebbele and Trent Spurgeon. Skowron is one of seven players listed at 5-10, the shortest height on the squad. One of the seven is junior running back Ka’Deem Carey. I dare you to call him short.
— Players who should not be wearing uniform numbers because those numbers should be considered sacred:
No. 6 Jonathan McKnight, junior cornerback. College Hall of Fame safety Chuck Cecil wore No. 6 for the Wildcats.
No. 11 William Parks, sophomore free safety. All-American cornerback Chris McAlister wore No. 11 like none other.
No. 18 Terrence Miller, senior receiver. This is more of a sentimental choice for me because I’ve followed UA football since the mid-1970s. The late “T” Bell’s No. 18 still runs vivid in my mind.
No. 25 Ka’Deem Carey, junior running back from CDO. What is it with Tucson’s great running backs wearing No. 25 for Arizona? Vance Johnson (Cholla) and David Eldridge (Pueblo) also wore that number. I always picture Johnson wearing it when I see a UA player with it on.
No. 27 Jamar Allah, sophomore free safety, and No. 27 Terris Jones, junior running back. Lance Briggs, the best UA player to wear No. 27, was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection as a linebacker.
No. 68 Mickey Baucus, junior offensive lineman. College Hall of Famer Tedy Bruschi, who shares the NCAA record with 55 sacks, should have that number retired for eternity.
No. 77 Lene Maiava, sophomore offensive lineman. Maiava has to work double-hard to give justice to that number after All-American defensive tackle Mike Dawson and All-Pac-10 offensive lineman Eben Britton graced that number with the Wildcats.
— Having double vision when watching the UA? Eight player combinations are wearing the same number in 2013. They are:
No. 2: Kylan Butler (senior running back) and Marquis Flowers (senior linebacker)
No. 3: Keoni Bush-Loo (sophomore linebacker) and Daniel Jenkins (senior running back)
No. 5: Trey Griffey (freshman receiver) and Shaquille Richardson (senior cornerback)
No. 9: Javelle Allen (redshirt freshman quarterback) and C.J. Dozier (sophomore linebacker)
No. 12: Wayne Capers Jr. (sophomore safety) and Nick Isham (sophomore quarterback)
No. 17: Josh Kern (redshirt freshman tight end) and Derrick Rainey (senior cornerback)
No. 27: Jamar Allah (sophomore safety) and Terris Jones (junior running back)
No. 29: Austin Hill (junior receiver) and Justin Samuels (senior cornerback)
The matching numbers stop there. None of the linemen or receivers/tight ends share the higher numbers. Those numbers must be too big for two people.
— Here is an interesting and odd note: Four players hail from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, one shy of the amount of players from Tucson on Arizona’s roster.
The Philadelphia-born players are senior placekicker Jake Smith and Parks. Those hailing from Pittsburgh are Capers and sophomore linebacker Dakota Conwell
Those from Tucson: Carey, sophomore offensive lineman Jacob Arzouman (Salpointe Catholic), redshirt freshman safety Clint Cochrane (CDO), sophomore punter Drew Riggleman (Sahuaro) and junior safety Jared Tevis (CDO).
Cochrane and Riggleman were listed as walk-ons in the spring, as was Smith. That means after the spring, the same number of scholarship players (three) from Pennsylvania and Tucson were on the UA roster.
Note: The following official roster information does not yet include information about incoming recruits, such as freshman quarterback Anu Solomon.
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Hometown (Prev School) |
| 1 | Scroggins, Jesse | QB | 6-3 | 210 | Jr. | Lakewood, Calif. |
| 2 | Butler, Kylan | RB | 5-7 | 183 | Sr. | Antioch, Calif. |
| 2 | Flowers, Marquis | LB | 6-3 | 229 | Sr. | Phoenix, Ariz. |
| 3 | Bush-Loo, Keoni | LB | 6-4 | 229 | So. | Ewa Beach, Hawaii |
| 3 | Jenkins, Daniel | RB | 5-9 | 195 | Sr. | Moreno Valley, Calif. |
| 5 | Griffey, Trey | R | 6-3 | 190 | RFr. | Orlando, Fla. |
| 5 | Richardson, Shaquille | CB | 6-1 | 186 | Sr. | Carson, Calif. |
| 6 | McKnight, Jonathan | CB | 5-11 | 167 | Jr. | River Ridge, La. |
| 7 | Denker, B.J. | QB | 6-3 | 173 | Sr. | Torrance, Calif. |
| 8 | Morrison, Richard | CB | 5-11 | 174 | Sr. | Royse City, Texas |
| 9 | Allen, Javelle | QB | 6-2 | 223 | RFr. | Prosper, Texas |
| 9 | Dozier, C.J. | LB | 6-2 | 205 | So. | Temecula, Calif. |
| 10 | Sanders, Yamen | S | 6-4 | 187 | RFr. | Inglewood, Calif. |
| 11 | Parks, William | FS | 6-1 | 190 | So. | Philadelphia, Pa. |
| 12 | Capers Jr., Wayne | S | 6-1 | 201 | So. | Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| 12 | Isham, Nick | QB | 6-0 | 190 | So. | Calabasas, Calif. |
| 16 | Wharton, Garic | R | 5-11 | 164 | Jr. | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| 17 | Kern, Josh | TE | 6-5 | 205 | RFr. | San Antonio, Texas |
| 17 | Rainey, Derrick | CB | 6-1 | 184 | Sr. | Houston, Texas |
| 18 | Miller, Terrence | R | 6-4 | 234 | Sr. | Moreno Valley, Calif. |
| 19 | Hobson, Hank | LB | 6-3 | 236 | Jr. | Bakersfield, Calif. |
| 20 | Ermisch, Trevor | R | 6-2 | 177 | Jr. | Phoenix, Ariz. |
| 21 | Bondurant, Tra’Mayne | S | 5-10 | 188 | Jr. | Vallejo, Calif. |
| 23 | Baker, Jared | RB | 5-8 | 191 | So. | Los Angeles, Calif. |
| 24 | Conwell, Dakota | LB | 6-2 | 217 | So. | Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| 25 | Carey, Ka’Deem | RB | 5-10 | 196 | Jr. | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 26 | Grandon, Jourdon | CB | 6-0 | 192 | Jr. | Avondale, Ariz. |
| 27 | Allah, Jamar | FS | 6-1 | 193 | So. | Phoenix, Ariz. |
| 27 | Jones, Terris | RB | 5-7 | 182 | Jr. | Long Beach, Calif. |
| 28 | Lopez, Anthony | S | 5-11 | 208 | So. | West Milford, N.J. |
| 29 | Hill, Austin | R | 6-3 | 210 | Jr. | Corona, Calif. |
| 29 | Samuels, Justin | CB | 5-10 | 170 | Sr. | Camas, Wash. |
| 30 | Jackson, Johnny | R | 5-10 | 176 | So. | San Diego, Calif. |
| 33 | Fischer, Jake | LB | 6-0 | 222 | Sr. | Oro Valley, Ariz. |
| 35 | Cochrane, Clint | S | 6-0 | 186 | RFr. | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 36 | Redmon, David | CB | 5-11 | 156 | Jr. | San Ramon, Calif. (De La Salle HS) |
| 38 | Tevis, Jared | S | 5-10 | 197 | Jr. | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 39 | Riggleman, Drew | P | 6-2 | 209 | So. | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 40 | Murphy, Brendan | CB | 5-11 | 181 | Sr. | New Hartford, N.Y. |
| 41 | Skowron, Casey | K | 5-10 | 155 | So. | Phoenix, Ariz. |
| 42 | Wilson, Shane | CB | 5-10 | 172 | RFr. | Woodland Hills, Calif. |
| 43 | Washington, Justin | DL | 6-2 | 268 | Sr. | Cypress, Texas |
| 46 | Brady, Blake | S | 5-11 | 195 | Jr. | Orange, Calif. |
| 50 | Gorham, Chase | LS | 6-3 | 259 | Jr. | Scottsdale, Ariz. |
| 53 | Jackson, Sir Thomas | LB | 6-0 | 205 | So. | Seattle, Wash. |
| 55 | Brinkman, Vaughn | LB | 6-0 | 213 | RFr. | Post Falls, Wash. |
| 57 | Ippolito, Cody | LB | 6-2 | 230 | So. | Paradise Valley, Ariz. |
| 59 | Boyster, Beau | OL | 6-4 | 264 | RFr. | Temecula, Calif. |
| 61 | Bundage, Cayman | OL | 6-2 | 261 | So. | Oklahoma City, Okla. |
| 62 | Putton, Chris | OL | 6-4 | 280 | Sr. | Glendale, Ariz. |
| 63 | Chacon, Brian | LS | 6-3 | 246 | Sr. | Cypress, Calif. |
| 64 | Faafoi, Faitele | OL | 6-4 | 321 | So. | Tustin, Calif. |
| 65 | Hemmila, Zach | OL | 6-3 | 318 | RFr. | Chandler, Ariz. |
| 66 | Wood, Carter | OL | 6-2 | 274 | So. | Scottsdale, Ariz. |
| 68 | Baucus, Mickey | OL | 6-8 | 305 | Jr. | Mundelein, Ill. |
| 69 | Bender-Ramsay, Eric | OL | 6-6 | 331 | Sr. | Carson, Calif. |
| 70 | Gross, T.D. | OL | 6-6 | 277 | RFr. | San Diego, Calf. |
| 73 | Ebbele, Fabbians | OL | 6-8 | 309 | Jr. | Chicago, Ill. |
| 74 | Arzouman, Jacob | OL | 6-5 | 271 | So. | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 75 | Taula, Kirifi | DL | 6-4 | 282 | Jr. | Garden Grove, Calif. |
| 77 | Maiava, Lene | OL | 6-5 | 281 | So. | Tafuna, American Samoa |
| 79 | Spurgeon, Trent | OL | 6-8 | 324 | Jr. | Owasso, Okla. |
| 80 | Richards, David | R | 6-4 | 203 | So. | Palmdale, Calif. |
| 81 | Georges, Clive | R | 6-1 | 168 | RFr. | Key West, Fla. |
| 83 | Cooper, Michael | TE | 6-5 | 246 | Jr. | The Woodlands, Texas |
| 84 | Gilbert, Reggie | DL | 6-4 | 264 | Jr. | Laveen, Ariz. |
| 86 | Smith, Jake | K | 6-2 | 200 | Sr. | Philadelphia, Pa. |
| 88 | Streuling, Zach | S | 5-11 | 175 | RFr. | Austin, Texas |
| 90 | Pettinato, Dan | DL | 6-4 | 265 | Jr. | Grass Valley, Calif. |
| 91 | Tuihalamaka, Sione | DL | 6-2 | 271 | Sr. | Inglewood, Calif. |
| 97 | Melvin, Dwight | DL | 6-1 | 273 | RFr. | Laveen, Ariz. |
| 98 | Hood, Tevin | DL | 6-0 | 293 | Sr. | Chandler, Ariz. |
| 99 | Kelley, Kyle | DL | 6-3 | 250 | RSo. | Irvine, Calif. |
* * * * *
The best Arizona player to wear No. 27, according to TucsonCitizen.com’s Anthony Gimino, is linebacker Lance Briggs (1999-2002): Three-time first-team all-conference selection still helps lead the Chicago Bears defense. He is a 12-year NFL veteran.
* * * * *
Last year, this site and TucsonCitizen.com ran a Top 50 Games in the history of Arizona football series. I will relive that list here with less than 50 days to kickoff and add one game to it: Arizona’s improbable 49-48 win over Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl last December, which landed as No. 38 on the list. Note, after clicking on the link, you will notice last year’s ranking. The list on this page is the current ranking.
No. 27: Trung Canidate rushes for record 288 yards and three long TDs in ’98 shootout against ASU
No. 28: UA dominates No. 3 SMU, highest ranked non-conference foe to lose to Cats
No. 29: Arizona stuns second-ranked Oregon in most significant victory in Mike Stoops era
No. 30: Arizona’s win on last-second FG over ASU ends Frank Kush’s dominance in the series
No. 31: Arizona reaches its zenith under Mike Stoops with victory over Brigham Young in Las Vegas Bowl
No. 32: Arizona owed Cal a couple, knock Bears out of BCS title, Rose Bowl run
No. 33: Arizona’s 10-9 loss at Oregon in 1994, derailing its Rose Bowl hopes, still hurts
No. 34: ASU ripe for picking in banana uniforms for “The Streak” to reach eight
No. 35: Arizona tries risky fake PAT to beat California but loses in epic 4 overtime game
No. 36: Veal to Hill “Hail Mary” pass highlights “The Streak” reaching seven games against ASU
No. 37: USC outlasts Arizona 48-41 in one of most wild games played in Tucson
No. 38: Arizona Wildcats’ comeback against Nevada No. 38 in Top 50 games list
No. 39: Arizona shows signs of life under Mike Stoops with rout over No. 7 UCLA
No. 40: Art Luppino “The Cactus Comet” rockets toward 38 yards per carry and five touchdowns
No. 41: Fumblerooski enables Arizona to sweep USC, UCLA in L.A. for first time
No. 42: Sun Devil nemesis Dan White quarterbacks Arizona into Fiesta Bowl with win over ASU
No. 43: Struggling UA gets improbable win against ’83 Pac-10 champ UCLA
No. 44: Closing chapter of “The Streak” includes Arizona’s dramatic fourth-quarter heroics
No. 45: Arizona overcomes rival Texas Tech with unfathomable late-game rally
No. 46: Dick Tomey, the Desert Fox, does a number on UCLA by changing offense in midseason
No. 47: “The Streak” reaches three games, UA achieves best Pac-10 finish
No. 48: Arizona’s first game at Arizona Stadium in 1929, a 35-0 win over Cal Tech
No. 49: Underdog Arizona’s 2011 thriller over arch-rival Arizona State
No. 50: Arizona’s first win over arch-rival Arizona State, then known as Territorial Normal
Dropped out: Arizona’s first win in program’s history: 22-5 over Tucson Indians
* * * * *
WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes blogs for Lindy’s College Sports, TucsonCitizen.com and Sports Illustrated-sponsored site ZonaZealots.com.
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