Tuitama sets sights on career year

Sonny Dykes was brought to Arizona for one reason: put points on the board.

The year before the former Texas Tech assistant coach came to Tucson, the Wildcats cobbled together a 6-6 record despite averaging a paltry 16.5 points per game.

If one were to look beyond the face value of that number, one would see that a good chunk of those points came as a result of an opportunistic defense creating turnovers to bail out Arizona’s offense.

In 2007, Dykes installed his quick-hitting spread offense, hoping to make those struggles a thing of the past.

Like with any new system, it took some time to iron out the kinks, but Wildcat fans saw a drastic improvement in this offense’s ability to move the football in the second half of the season.

During a late three-game winning streak that nearly propelled the Wildcats into bowl contention, the offense scored at least 34 points a game — an unheard-of accomplishment during the four-year Mike Stoops era.

Going into year five, this squad knows its bowl hopes will be pinned on this offense’s ability to produce.

Of course, any fancy playbook is only as good as its signal-caller. Stoops and Dykes believe Willie Tuitama is among the best in the Pac-10 this season.

Prior to the start of this week’s fall practice, Stoops said Tuitama looks as comfortable as he’s ever been behind center at Arizona.

“It took Willie some time to figure out the language and the formations, but he came into camp this spring in control as the leader of this offense,” Stoops said.

Tuitama flourished in the spread offense last season, setting school records in passing yards (3,683), touchdowns (28), completions (327), attempts (524).

He enjoyed his coming-out party during Arizona’s 48-41 win at Washington, where he compiled 510 passing yards (another school record).

Tuitama came into his first week of fall practice looking to prove that those outbursts weren’t a fluke.

At this point in the season, the defense still appears slightly ahead of the offense, but Tuitama took command of the offense in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, hitting his receivers with quick, accurate passes and showing improved touch on his deep ball.

At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and NFL-level arm strength, Tuitama is one of the most physically gifted athletes to call the shots in Dykes’ offense, but he still has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long, which will get him into trouble.

Tuitama suffered serious concussions throughout his sophomore season, sidelining the quarterback for a handful of the team’s games. In order for Tuitama to steer clear of the injury concerns that derailed his sophomore campaign, it will be key for him to find one of his big-play receivers as quickly as possible.

As long as Tuitama stays on the field like he did last season (he started all 12 games as a junior), he should be in the mix to claim the title of “top Pac-10 quarterback.” Arizona State’s Rudy Carpenter comes into 2008 in the pole position, but Tuitama isn’t far behind.

“As long as his decision-making stays sharp, there’s no telling what Willie can do in this system,” Stoops said.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747

By the numbers

Willie Tuitama arrived on campus just before the 2005 as one of the most heralded quarterback prospects in Arizona history. It’s been an up-and-down ride for Tuitama, but many expect him to surpass these statistics in his senior season.

Year G-GS Att.-Comp.-Int. Yards TD Pct. Rating

2005 5-4 142-82-5 1105 9 57.7 136.99

2006 10-9 211-118-6 1335 7 55.9 114.33

2007 12-12 524-327-12 3683 28 62.4 134.50