RELATED:
— Arizona vs. Texas-San Antonio: A “Did You Know?” session
— Anthony Gimino of TucsonCitizen.com writes that Arizona’s offensive production is similar to Rich Rodriguez’s successful teams at West Virginia
— Steve Rivera of FoxSportsArizona.com breaks down the UTSA-Arizona matchup
Depth-chart graphics in this blog from University of Arizona’s media-relations department pre-game press release
OFFENSE
Arizona true freshman receiver Samajie Grant made his first career start last week at UNLV
Changes in starters from UNLV game: Ka’Deem Carey was listed as a starter heading into last week’s game in Las Vegas but did not play until late in the first quarter. He again is listed as a starter ahead of senior Daniel Jenkins. Because it’s another non-conference game against a low-profile opponent, UA coach Rich Rodriguez can afford to spread the wealth between Carey and Jenkins when it comes to rushes.
Also, junior Garic Wharton, from Las Vegas, did not start in his return to his hometown last week at Sam Boyd Stadium but is listed as a starter at wide receiver. He started the season opener against NAU at the slot receiver position. Redshirt freshman Clive Georges (who has started both games) should start at the other wide receiver spot but will be challened by Samajie Grant, a true freshman who started ahead of Wharton against UNLV at the slot.
Finally, senior Terrence Miller, who has started twice as a wideout, is listed as a starting slot receiver against the Roadrunners.
Class breakdown of definite starters:
— Three seniors (Miller, right guard Chris Putton and quarterback B.J. Denker).
— Five juniors (Carey, Wharton, left tackle Mickey Baucus, center Steven Gurrola and right tackle Fabbians Ebbele).
— One sophomore (left guard Cayman Bundage).
— No freshmen.
Class breakdown of definite backups:
— One senior (Jenkins).
— Two juniors (slot Terris Jones-Grigsby and left guard Trent Spurgeon).
— Three sophomores (left tackle Lene Maiava, center Carter Wood and right guard Faitele Faafoi).
— Three freshmen (quarterback Javelle Allen, right tackle T.D. Gross and Grant or Georges at a wideout position).
Game-time starter decisions: At the slot receiver position it will be either sophomore Johnny Jackson or freshman Nate Phillips. Jackson has started both of Arizona’s games and caught has three catches for 15 yards. It will be Georges or Grant at one wideout spot. Georges has started twice but has still not caught a pass.
DEFENSE
UA senior nose tackle Tevin Hood is slated to match the number of starts he had all of last year (three) tonight
Arizona media-relations graphic
Changes in starters from UNLV game: Arizona has managed to stay injury free on defense which means the Wildcats are improving by each game. The Wildcats have not undergone a change in starters in the first two games and the same starters are listed against Texas-San Antonio. Tevin Hood, a senior nose tackle who drew praise from UNLV coach Bobby Hauck last week, will match his number of starts last year (three) with a start tonight.
Class breakdown of definite starters:
— Five seniors (Hood, end Sione Tuihalamaka, middle linebacker Jake Fischer, weak-side linebacker Marquis Flowers, and either Shaquille Richardson or Derrick Rainey at right cornerback).
— Five juniors (end Reggie Gilbert, spur safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant, bandit safety Jared Tevis, left cornerback Jonathan McKnight and free safety Jourdon Grandon).
— No sophomores.
— No freshmen.
Class breakdown of definite backups:
— One senior (Richardson or Rainey at right cornerback).
— One junior (middle linebacker Hank Hobson).
— Three sophomores (spur safety Anthony Lopez, bandit safety William Parks and free safety Jamar Allah).
— Two freshmen (either DeAndre’ Miller or Jake Matthews at weak-side linebacker and left cornerback Devin Holiday).
Game-time starter decisions: The UA continues to list true freshman Scooby Wright vying for a starter spot at the strong-side linebacker with sophomore Keoni Bush-Loo. Also, Rainey and Richardson are shown competing for the right cornerback position. Wright (team-leading 13 tackles) and Richardson (two tackles for lost yardage) have started against NAU and UNLV and there’s no reason to believe they won’t against Texas-San Antonio.
Overall class breakdown of definite starters: Eight seniors. Ten juniors. One sophomore. No freshmen.
Overall class breakdown of definite backups: Two seniors. Three juniors. Six sophomores. Five freshmen.
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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