By
Maxx Wolfson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Pri Arguably the strongest part of the offense struggling early in or to the start of the 2000 season, the UA football team had questions that needed to be answered on the offensive side of the football.
One such problem had to do with who would replace departed wide receiver Dennis Northcutt, quarterback Keith Smith and running back Trung Canidate.
The one position the Wildcats didn't figure to worry about was supposed to be the offensive line. The guys up front were supposed to dominate football games and lead an inexperienced running game and receiving corps.
Last season, the Wildcat offensive line deserved some of the credit for the 5,663 yards of total offense, tops in the Pacific 10 Conference.
Entering 2000, the line was expected to be the team's strong point, losing just one starter - Manua Savea - who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in April.
Good things were expected up front this year from left tackle Makoa Freitas, left guard Steven Grace, center Bruce Wiggins, right guard Kevin Barry and right tackle Marques McFadden. However, the team's supposed strong point has turned into a small nightmare so far.
UA quarterback Ortege Jenkins was constantly harassed Saturday en route to a 27-17 loss. Sacked eight times and hurried on most passing plays, the senior finished just 11-for-23 for 137 yards.
"We got to protect better," head coach Dick Tomey said. "Protection is our greatest concern at this point in time. We got to try to shore those things up."
Jenkins appeared frustrated during most of the game Saturday night, trying to avoid the attacking Buckeye defense.
"I'd be frustrated too if I was getting sacked every play," senior center Bruce Wiggins said. "I can't blame him - there were silver helmets in every direction."
Jenkins has completed just 14 passes in the first two games of the season and is averaging 74 passing yards per game.
"I don't have an exact number on how many times that he got hit, but it was a bunch," Tomey said. "He was a champ, and his competitiveness down the stretch was extraordinary. He gives the rest of the football players confidence."
The Wildcats seemed to be unprepared for the Ohio State blitz, which came on nearly every down.
UA knew coming into the game that they would have to counter the strength of the large Ohio State defensive line - at the game's final gun, the team still failed to have an answer.
With the Wildcats driving late in the fourth quarter, and trailing by 10 points, the offensive line let up on a key third down and three play on the Ohio State 37 yard line.
Jenkins dropped back to pass and - before he had a chance to even survey the field for an open receiver - OSU middle linebacker Matt Wilhelm sacked the senior for a six yard loss.
The sack put UA out of field goal range and forced junior Chris Palic to punt with just 6:23 remaining in the game.
According to Tomey, the offensive line's ineptitude was due in part to injuries to key players.
Grace, who injured his left shoulder with 9:52 left in the second quarter, will likely miss next week's game against San Diego State.
According to Tomey, Arizona will be fortunate to have him back to take on Stanford on Sept. 30 in Palo Alto, Calif.
McFadden was playing on a surgically-repaired ankle and became visibly fatigued in the game's final quarter.
Hampered by injuries, the offensive line seemed unprepared and, at times, lost while trying to protect their quarterback.
"The offensive line and myself has got to do better," Wiggins said. "It feels like it usually does when you get your butt kicked."
