By
Maxx Wolfson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Defense responds to Mac Duff's challenge, gets after QBs
Football coach John Mackovic had a message to deliver to his offense Saturday, and it wasn't one of praise or approval.
It was more like a message of complete frustration.
"My disappointments are on offense - after we have been at it this long, we should not be doing the things we are doing," Mackovic said. "I don't think we competed the way that we need to compete to be an effective offense at this level, and that is disappointing."
Mackovic, who was clearly irritated by the offense during and after practice, ran a few extra plays to give the Wildcats more work. UA ran a total of 128 plays.
At the end of practice, though, the offense was still struggling to score a touchdown on a defense that dominated the entire practice.
"I told them don't ever let up," Mackovic said. "We like what we're seeing from the defense, and I have told them to continue to intercept those passes, knock those balls loose - don't ever let up."
After nearly a half-hour of defensive stops, the offense finally scored a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback sneak by sophomore Cliff Watkins. The score ended the practice.
"We ran a few extra plays today because I just felt our offense needed the work," Mackovic said. "I didn't want to go to 128 plays, but there comes a time when we just have to get the work done."
UA's offensive inconsistencies stemmed from committing eight turnovers - four interceptions and four fumbles - and allowing 12 quarterback sacks.
Redshirt freshman Fata Avegalio led the charge, recording three sacks, knocking down two passes, forcing a fumble and making a goal line tackle on junior running back Larry Croom to prevent a touchdown.
The longhaired defensive end from Pago Pago, American Samoa, clenched his fist in excitement after the tackle on Croom.
Despite his effort, Avegalio said there is still plenty of work to be done.
"We're all making mistakes, and we all just need to work harder toward the season," he said. "Just because we are having fun doesn't mean we are satisfied with the way we performed today. We still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do."
Junior linebacker Lance Briggs, who led the Pacific 10 Conference in tackles in 2000, led all defensive players Saturday with five.
Briggs said that new UA defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff has challenged the defense.
"The system is basically the same as it was," Briggs said. "Coach Mac Duff has added an aggressiveness to the defense. He's emotional, and the team responds to that."
The offense was not the only unit that was sputtering during Saturday's scrimmage. The special teams also looked sloppy.
Sophomore cornerback Michael Jolivette - playing on special teams -blocked a 45-yard field goal by junior Sean Keel.
Keel was inconsistent all morning, missing a point-after attempt early in the scrimmage, but connected on two field goals from 38 and 45 yards.
"I think our special teams play was very sloppy," Mackovic said. "We were sloppy with our snaps, our get-off times, our protection, and our kickers missed a couple kicks when (the snap) was clean. That's nothing that I would accept after four weeks of practice."
Extra Points ...
When the Wildcats conclude spring practice Saturday at 1 p.m. during the Spring Game in Arizona Stadium, the availability of some top players will still be in question. Junior wideout Bobby Wade and sophomore running back Clarence Farmer both will not play, according to Mackovic. Wade has been unable to compete in contact drills the entire spring because of shoulder surgery in January. The availability of other players will be announced later in the week, Mackovic said ... Junior quarterback Jason Johnson, currently the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart, shared most of the snaps in the practice with redshirt freshman John Rattay. Johnson completed 13-of-21 passes for 121 yards and a three-yard touchdown to senior tight end Peter Hansen. Rattay orchestrated an 85-yard drive that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Justin Levasseur. Rattay completed 4-of-8 passes for 72 yards ... Sophomore quarterback Cliff Watkins, battling for the backup roll, had a tough time keeping the ball out of the defense's hands. Watkins was 4-for-11 for 33 yards and threw three interceptions.
