Wildcats Notebook: Wildcats head into bye week on a roll

Three down, three to go.

As that decade-long bowl drought continues to hang over the Arizona Wildcats’ players, coaches and fans, the sights are set squarely on bowl eligibility.

The six-win plateau should get Arizona into a bowl game, but the Wildcats obviously don’t want to stop there. In 2006, Arizona captured six wins for the first time in six seasons, but still wasn’t rewarded with postseason play.

With the squad off to its best start in the Mike Stoops era, the Wildcats hope to turn that momentum not only into bowl contention, but perhaps a finish near the top of the Pac-10 standings.

“We’re where we should be,” Stoops said. “We didn’t play as well as we needed to play at New Mexico, but we learned from those mistakes and I feel good with where we’re at.”

Those mistakes included five turnovers and a number of bone-headed mistakes that typified the Wildcats’ 2007 campaign.

Early in Arizona’s trip to Pasadena, Calif., to battle the UCLA Bruins, it seemed as if those mistakes might have followed them. First came Nic Grigsby’s fumble near his own goal line — a turnover that immediately resulted in a UCLA touchdown.

Next came the inability to pick up a first down on fourth-and-short when the Wildcats were well within field-goal range — a play that shifted the momentum heading into halftime.

However, unlike previous Mike Stoops teams, this squad kept its cool and stuck to its game plan, resulting in a surprisingly comfortable 31-10 road win.

“I was glad to see our guys fight back and gain control,” Stoops said. “That’s something we’ve struggled with in the past.”

No-fly zone

While it’s always a good sign to open conference play with a victory, UCLA has yet to find a consistent offensive playmaker.

For the second consecutive game, the Bruins’ offense didn’t find the end zone. Arizona held Kevin Craft and the UCLA passing game to a meager 81 yards passing. Junior defensive back Corey Hall snagged Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors, thanks to a career-high seven tackles, including four solo stops in his role as a nickel back. Hall also recorded his first sack of 2008 and matched his career high by breaking up two passes.

Arizona ranks second nationally in pass defense, allowing only 103.25 yards per outing.

Of course, it must be mentioned that Idaho, Toledo, New Mexico and UCLA aren’t going to throw for a lot of yards against anybody.

The Wildcats might not have the name recognition they enjoyed last year, with Antoine Cason, Spencer Larsen and Wilrey Fontenot wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. But this year’s “no-name” defensive unit has stepped up its effort.

Stoops singled out linebacker Sterling Lewis, defensive tackle Earl Mitchell and cornerbacks Devin Ross and Marquis Hundley for their strong play to start the season.

“Sterling is a very instinctual player and has stepped into Spencer Larsen’s shoes nicely,” Stoops said. “Our defense isn’t very flashy, but they’re playing hard. I always tell our kids that attitude and effort is a big part of playing defense.”

For all the success the Wildcats have had stopping the pass, they have struggled to limit the run.

New Mexico’s Rodney Ferguson bullied his way to 158 yards on 26 carries two weeks ago. And in last week’s UCLA win, Chane Moline still managed to gain 72 yards on 11 carries.

To put that in perspective, UCLA was held to 29 yards on the ground against Tennessee and nine yards — yes, only nine — at BYU.

“UCLA was very physical at the point of attack, but we’re happy we kept their offense out of the end zone,” Stoops said.

The offense rebounded from the New Mexico loss in fine form, welcoming back one of the team’s most dangerous downfield weapons.

Rob Gronkowski returned from his three-week battle with strep throat to snag two touchdown passes and create match-up problems throughout UCLA’s defensive secondary.

Mike Thomas enjoyed yet another spectacular game, tallying 115 receiving yards and earning Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week honors, thanks to his 107 yards in punt returns.

“Between Mike and Rob, that creates a lot of pressure on an opposing defense,” Stoops said. “One is big and physical, the other is fast and elusive.”

But for this offense to fire on all cylinders, the rushing game needs to serve as a balance for Arizona’s aerial attack.

While Grigsby torched Idaho and Toledo, he struggled to find any running room against UCLA, averaging less than three yards per carry.

Those yards might be even tougher to come by, with starting center Blake Kerley likely out for the season after suffering an ACL injury to his left knee.

Colin Baxter will move over from his customary guard position and take over the snapping duties.

“We feel like we can make adjustments to our offensive line and still get the job done,” Stoops said.

The Wildcats will have an extra week to make these adjustments, with the bye week coming at a time when the Wildcats need it most.

The time off will allow Baxter to establish a comfort level with Willie Tuitama and for Gronkowski to continue regaining his strength.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff will begin to prepare for the Washington Huskies, who come to Tucson on Oct. 4 for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

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