Arizona Football

Arizona Wildcats Football Countdown (14 Days Until Kickoff): What Are You Looking Forward to the Most?


Want inspiration for Arizona’s upcoming season? Look no further for a good idea about what to look forward to the most than this, from a former Wildcat about an Arizona legend:

Seeing Tedy Bruschi lead the team out waving the Arizona flag. Praying for my friend. — Julius Holt

Bruschi suffered his second stroke on July 4 and was immediately treated and is reportedly now fine. His first public comment came four days after the stroke when he acknowledged it on social media and posted the signs of a stroke such as sight changes, loss of balance, face drooping, arm weakening and slurred speech.

Almost two weeks after his stroke, Bruschi posted on Twitter that he is excited about working with Randy Moss again on ESPN’s NFL Countdown.

Arizona did a good job of including its legends last year, taking part in the coin toss before the games. Ricky Hunley took part in that, as did Brandon Sanders.

Embed from Getty Images

With the passing of Dick Tomey during the offseason, it would be touching to have some of his former players acknowledge his legacy with their presence during the games at Arizona Stadium. If they could talk to the team before the game about Tomey’s messages when they prepared, it would be a positive influence.

Tedy Bruschi running out of the tunnel waving the Arizona flag ahead of the Wildcats would be something to behold. That would be national news material, a highlight on ESPN. Great idea, Mr. Holt.

Quotable

“He puts in the most mileage every day. He’s a hard worker.” — Arizona offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone on the work ethic of fourth-year junior running back J.J. Taylor.

By the numbers

4,000 yards

Something to watch this season: Taylor is 1,458 yards from reaching 4,000 rushing yards in his career, which puts him well within target of reaching Ka’Deem Carey’s record of 4,239 yards from 2011-13. If Taylor returns for his fifth year next season, he could far surpass that mark. Carey is the lone Arizona running back to eclipse 4,000 yards on the ground. Taylor is 458 yards from reaching 3,000 career rushing yards, joining the likes of Carey, Trung Canidate, Ontiwaun Carter, Art Luppino, Mike Bell, Hubie Oliver and Nick Wilson.

Arizona running back J.J. Taylor (Mike Christy/Arizona Athletics)

ARIZONA’S CAREER RUSHING LEADERS

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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.

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