Arizona Wildcats helmet-sticker update: Will UA continue to win turnover battle in Pac-12?

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The important constant for Arizona, other than winning again, from Week One to Week Two, was the turnover battle.

The Wildcats are plus-2 in that category with two interceptions, including a game-clincher by safety Jared Tevis with 1:20 left in Arizona’s 26-23 win over Texas-San Antonio in the Alamodome Thursday night. Arizona did not turn the ball over against UNLV and UTSA, which is a similar efficient start as last season.

Arizona had only two turnovers (both fumbles) through the first three games against NAU, UNLV and UTSA last season. The Wildcats were at a plus-6 in turnovers against the three questionable non-conference opponents, who amassed eight.

The Wildcats then had 14 turnovers in their nine Pac-12 games (an average of 1.55 a game) compared to 12 for conference opponents.

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HELMET STICKER RESULTS
HS: Helmet stickers
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Arizona is now 11-0 under Rich Rodriguez when it wins the turnover battle.

— Cody James Martin (@CodyJamesMartin) September 5, 2014

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Final turnover ratio tally: Non-conference games against NAU, UNLV, UTSA and Boston College — Plus-6 (10-4). Conference games — Minus-2 (12-14). Translation: Playing against Pac-12 teams is much more of a challenge than Arizona’s non-conference slate. If the Wildcats maintain a turnover margin in Pac-12 games, they should crack the top three of the Pac-12 South.

Stat of the week: Arizona is 11-0 under Rich Rodriguez when it wins the turnover battle. They are 7-10 under him when they do not.

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Arizona’s helmet-sticker production in Week Two decreased from 10 to 9, although the Wildcats claimed a couple cat claws against UTSA because they won the turnover battle with their turnover-free performance.

Other sticker production notes:

— After having 20 plays of at least 12 yards last week against UNLV, Arizona barely managed to achieve a sticker with 10 such plays against the Roadrunners. The Wildcats had 15 by halftime against UNLV.

— The Wildcats also barely achieved a sticker with four drives of at least eight plays. They had only two field goals in the second half with their last four possessions resulting in three punts and a turnover on downs.

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— Defensively, Arizona had another positive constant from Week One — achieving at least five three-and-outs against the opposing offense. The defense has experienced breakdowns — UTSA’s successful fourth-down conversion midway through the fourth quarter comes to mind — but it has proven to be resilient. UTSA’s final three drives mounted to only 21 yards on nine plays.

— Arizona also produced three sacks (one each by Scooby Wright III, Tellas Jones and Reggie Gilbert) after having only one against UNLV. The Wildcats averaged less than two a game last season.

— Special teams was a positive for Rodriguez with Casey Skowron making four field goals. The kickoff coverage team also did well, including stopping the returner once before he reached the 20-yard line in the first quarter.

HELMET STICKER CRITERIA

The Wildcats earn cat claws for the Arizona helmet if they achieve these following marks. This helmet will be updated weekly as the Wildcats attempt to fill the helmet with the cat claws:

FIRST SIX GAMES

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LAST SIX GAMES

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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.