Wildcats giving thanks for possible bowl bid

Arizona football fans had a lot on their minds a month ago.

After a discouraging home loss to Stanford on Oct. 20, the Wildcats stood at 2-6 and appeared in danger of suffering through yet another season near the bottom of the Pac-10 standings.

What a difference a month makes.

With three straight wins, including the monumental upset over No. 2 Oregon on Nov. 15, the Wildcats (5-6, 4-4 Pac-10) have played themselves into position for a possible bowl berth—a spot few imagined would be possible after the first eight games of the season.

“We’re starting to play a lot better,” said head coach Mike Stoops. “Our playmakers have really stepped up and we’re making progress on both sides of the ball.”

Represenatives from the Las Vegas Bowl and the Armed Forces Bowl will be in Tempe on Dec. 1. Should the Wildcats pull off the upset over No. 6 Arizona State, the squad could see its first postseason action since 1998.

Six wins would also give the squad a second-straight .500 finish after two 3-9 seasons to start Stoops’ tenure.

Last season’s Wildcats’ squad pulled the same routine, stumbling through an October losing skid before turning on the jets in November and taking down top-10 teams in the process.

These dominant stretches of football surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday have left Wildcats with one unanswered question: What is going on with this team in September and October?

“We weren’t a complete team early in the season,” Stoops said. “Now, we’re starting to get there.”

Prior to the season, Stoops hired Texas Tech offensive guru Sonny Dykes, who installed his spread offense to help give a boost to what had been an anemic offensive unit.

Despite some early-season hiccups, the offense has started to click over the past three games, where it has averages more than 38 points per contest.

Junior quarterback Willie Tuitama has spent most of 2007 rewriting Arizona’s record books. Tuitama has compiled 3,411 yards on 63 percent passing, with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“Willie is much more confident with the offense and making a lot of good decisions with the football,” Stoops said.

Mike Thomas has also been reaping the benefits of Dykes’ spread offense. His 73 catches and 11 touchdowns rank first among Pac-10 wideouts, and his 929 receiving yards places him second behind Washington State’s Brandon Gibson.

Despite these gaudy numbers, Stoops still insists that the offense has a long way to go before reaching its potential.

“We’re still in the infant stages with the spread,” Stoops said. “We’ll have another year and another spring under our belts, plus a lot of fantastic returning players on offense next year.”

With all of this attention on Arizona’s offense, it would take a special defensive player to steal the lion’s share of the limelight.

Cornerback Antoine Cason is that type of player.

Cason saved his best performance of the season for the biggest stage, when his punt return and interception return for touchdowns allowed the Wildcats to take down the high-powered Ducks—who lost their superstar, Dennis Dixon, early on to a torn knee ligament.

“Antoine is in a groove, like a hitter or a pitcher in baseball,” Stoops said. “Everything is coming really easy to him right now and he’s making all the right moves.”

Oregon kept attacking Cason, but the Jim Thorpe award finalist kept making plays, which is why many expect to see Cason suiting up in the NFL next season.

Cason and the rest of the Wildcats will spend this extended holiday weekend relaxing while preparing for their regular-season finale against Arizona State in Tempe.

A unique scheduling quirk has given Arizona a bye week before and after its Oregon showdown, which should give Stoops’ squad some much-needed rest before the crucial contest agains the Sun Devils.

However, the week off might derail Arizona’s positive November momentum.

“I don’t think a bye week is ever a bad thing,” Stoops said. “It gives us extra time to concentrate on our game plan and get our strength back.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., with either ESPN or ESPN2 carrying the telecast.

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