Wildcat Notebook: Wildcats so close, yet so far

Close may count in horseshoes and hand grenades, but it sure as heck doesn’t matter in college football.

If it did, the Arizona Wildcats might have a shot to play for the national championship.

As it stands, the Wildcats sit at 6-5 overall, with a 4-4 record in the Pac-10 conference — a solid record (especially after suffering through a decade-long bowl drought), but a bit underwhelming under closer examination.

In Arizona’s six wins (versus Idaho, Toledo, Washington, California, at UCLA and Washington State), the Wildcats have out-scored their opponents 291-95. This would be a wildly impressive number, if three of those blowouts didn’t come against the dreadful triumvirate of Idaho, Washington and Washington State — three of the weakest teams in the nation.

The only quality win in the bunch came against Cal — a squad ranked No. 25 when it came to Tucson on Oct. 18.

The Golden Bears led through much of the first half and held an advantage into the third quarter. But the Wildcats slammed the door behind a Keola Antolin touchdown plunge, a Devin Ross interception return for a touchdown and a Rob Gronkowski touchdown reception in the third quarter.

It was, without question, the most impressive performance Arizona submitted this season.

Those earlier blowout victories helped to hide Arizona’s major weakness. Simply put, this is a squad that hasn’t shown the ability to win the close game.

Each of the team’s five losses (versus USC, Oregon State, at New Mexico, Stanford, Oregon) came down to one or two possessions where the Wildcats needed a clutch play, but didn’t get it. It’s been a disturbing trend throughout the season.

Close losses

For example:

At New Mexico on Sept. 13, the Wildcats turned the ball over five times and made Lobos’ tailback Rodney Ferguson look like a vintage Larry Csonka. Many of these turnovers were of the unforced variety. Take care of the ball and make a few key tackles, and the Wildcats escape Albuquerque with a win. Instead, it turned into a 36-28 loss.

At Stanford on Oct. 11, the Cardinal were down to their third-string quarterback, but still put together a game-winning touchdown drive — most of which took place on the ground. The Wildcats ended up losing 24-23.

Versus USC on Oct. 25, the Wildcats had multiple chances to take the lead against the traditional Goliath of the Pac-10, but Willie Tuitama and the Wildcat offense couldn’t get anything going the entire second half. Granted, the Trojans might have the most formidable defense in the nation, but the fact remains that one score separated Arizona from its biggest homecoming win. The Wildcats lost 17-10.

At Oregon on Nov. 15, the Wildcats fell into a deep hole, trailing 45-17 after halftime. Instead of going through the motions, Arizona valiantly fought back with a remarkable scoring barrage in the fourth quarter. Down by only a field goal with four minutes to play, the Wildcats took a risk, going for it on fourth-and-three on its own 45. With the game resting on this play call, Sonny Dykes catches Oregon off guard, flashing Antolin out into the flat. With nothing but green turf in front of him, Antolin short-arms Tuitama’s swing pass. The ball falls to the turf.

Two plays later, Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount rushes for a 40-yard touchdown, putting the finishing touches on a 55-45 win.

Versus Oregon State this past Saturday, the Beavers were without starting quarterback Lyle Moevao and lost dynamic tailback Jacquizz Rodgers to a separated shoulder midway through the first quarter. In addition, kicker Justin Kahut missed a game-tying extra point with four minutes remaining.

Needing only a couple first downs to seal the win, Arizona’s offense stalled, forcing a late punt. Sean Canfield led his team through the fatigued Arizona defense, setting up Kahut’s 24-yard game-winning field goal.

The total score from these five losses: 151-123 — an average differential of 5.6 points per game.

Could a lot of these plays be chalked up to bad luck? Sure, but as every coach and player will tell you, a good team makes its own luck.

Had a couple of these plays gone the other direction, Arizona could feasibly be in Oregon State’s position, fighting for a Rose Bowl berth. As it stands, Arizona will likely set its sights on a lesser bowl.

But it might be too early to start thinking about that, especially with the arch-rival on the horizon.

“Winning against Arizona State is all we’re focused on,” Mike Stoops said. “We know the significance this year. We’re trying to erase five years of pain. I think our players will be very inspired.”

After so many years as one of the Pac-10’s resident doormats, it’s a victory in itself just to be in the bowl conversation.

But the 2008 season was so close to being so much more.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747