Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Wendler's return lifts UA's 'big backs'

Scott Andrew Taras Arizona Summer Wildcat Senior fullback Jim Wendler walks off the field during Thursday night's scrimmage at Arizona Stadium. Wendler won his bid for an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA and looks to be a big part of the UA's backfield.

Amid all the injuries and struggles at Camp Cochise this season, the UA football team did receive a big boost with the return of senior fullback Jim Wendler.

Wendler earned another season on his third appeal to the NCAA this month, joining his teammates for the last six days of Cochise.

"Third time's a charm," he said. "I'm shooting 33 percent against the NCAA."

Wendler missed time while at the Air Force Academy due to Graves' Disease, a thyroid condition which caused him to lose his appetite and kept him up for nights with insomnia.

Wendler transferred to Arizona and joined the football team in 1996. After doctors diagnosed his condition and began giving him medication to treat it, he resumed playing in 1997 as a scout team player.

Last year he earned a scholarship from head coach Dick Tomey while at Cochise, and during the season, he scored touchdowns against San Diego State and Arizona State while also playing a key role on special teams.

Wendler petitioned the NCAA for another year in the spring, but was turned down. He kept at it though, and finally earned a reprieve on Aug. 11.

"My first thought was 'when do I leave (for Cochise)?'" Wendler said. "It hit me still later that night. I was sitting around the house and I'd been waiting so long for this, so I kind of stepped back for a different perspective. Honestly so far I've never driven so hard in practice. I'm happy, so happy to be out there, it's been a real Godsend."

Wendler's return was crucial to the Wildcats as he was the only blocking back the UA had with real game experience. The other players trying out for the fullback and H-back positions were converted linebacker Dolphin Tillman, defensive end Eli Wnek and sophomore William Blocker, who redshirted last year.

"Well I think it was really important for us because he has experience as a fullback, some experience as an H-back," UA running backs coach Jeff Woodruff said. "His game experience was invaluable."

Even with Wendler back, he said the coaches haven't formally decided what role each of the four backs will take with the team.

"They haven't really designated anything yet, to tell you the truth," Wendler said. "As the season goes down we're going to find out different things about different guys. All I can do is bust my butt in practice right now and make it hard for the coaches not to pick me. I really, really want to play."

Woodruff said he hopes to have the roles set going into Penn State with three practices remaining.

"I think right now we're starting to narrow some of those things down," Woodruff said. "You can't get four guys ready to play a position and find out what their strengths and weaknesses are in the time we've had. We've still got a couple days in pads before the game to narrow it down."

Wendler said the ultimate test will come when the players start seeing actual playing time.

"At Cochise I was only there for six days, but I think we really came together well as a unit," he said. "I don't really think we're going to know how we are until we go out through the first few weeks and they're hitting us. It was like last year in the UCLA game, after that we were 10 times better."

The coaches have been working the quartet hard, to learn the offensive system in time for Saturday's opener at Penn State.

"The learning curve is obviously difficult," Woodruff said. "We've got a whole playbook in. They're just swimming right now. We're starting to dwindle our playbook down. They're all doing a good job, but Dolphin was a little hampered by illness at Cochise."

Woodruff said having Wendler back for a road opener is important.

"He's been there in these situations before," Woodruff said. "Having the first game on the road you feel more confident with him back there."

Wendler said he's ready to face the Nittany Lions' vaunted corps of linebackers.

"We always prepare well no matter who we play," he said. "We played Oregon State last year and we drove and drove, that was probably the hardest game I've played in. I understand these guys are going to be good."

Being a senior, Wendler said he's ready to accept a leadership role in the eyes of some of his teammates.

"I hope some of the younger guys do," he said. "I hope they understand it's not all easy coming here. Nothing's going to be handed to you right away.

"If they take anything away from what I've done I hope it's my work ethic, my perseverance."