By
Connor Doyle
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Legacy is a term most commonly used when referring to football programs like Penn State, Notre Dame and Alabama. For an obscure desert school like Arizona - at team that doesn't even play day games, much less nationally-televised contests - a legacy might be hard to find.
For now, the closest thing Arizona has to a legacy is the double-eagle flex defense that began under former head coach Dick Tomey and used to frustrate opponents for years through constant pressure and an attacking style.
The revolutionary scheme gained notoriety in 1992 when the Wildcats led the nation in scoring defense. The next season, the unit set a Pacific 10 Conference record by allowing just 30.1 yards per game rushing, best in the country.
Through all the accolades, Tomey was unable to lead the program to the Pac-10's holy grail - the Rose Bowl. Part of it was bad luck - UA finished 12-1 in 1998, but UCLA matched their record and beat them in the regular season, giving them the Pacific 10 title and a home game on New Year's day - but many often cited a slow, uninventive offense that relied too much on running and didn't go to the air often enough.
If John Mackovic, hired in December as Tomey's replacement, has anything to say about it, the UA should have an explosive offense to compliment its stifling defense. More importantly, Mackovic said the Wildcats should net a Pac-10 title and victory in the vaunted bowl game.
"The next step for the Arizona football program is to go and win the Rose Bowl," Mackovic said just moments after he was hired.
On Aug. 30, the new UA offense will get its first real test when the Wildcats travel to Qualcomm Stadium to face San Diego State. Mackovic said UA fans should expect a complex, aggressive attack.
"I would say that our offense will look to throw the ball to a lot of different players, with our running backs carrying the ball as well," he said. "On defense, we'll have lots of attacking players - players who are making tackles near or behind the line of scrimmage."
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Arizona Daily Wildcat file photo
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Mackovic can speak confidently about his defense in part because he was able to solve a major problem early in his tenure.
Duane Akina, slated to be the defensive coordinator this upcoming season, was one of the few men in the nation capable of running the double-eagle flex defense. He left the team in late February to take over as defensive backs coach at Texas, leaving Mackovic with little time to find a replacement to run the defense.
Luckily for Mackovic, Larry MacDuff - the originator of Arizona's "Desert Swarm" defense - became available after three seasons as the special teams coach for the NFL's New York Giants.
Mackovic said the players' familiarity with the scheme should ensure a quick start.
"Our defense better start off pretty well because we have so many players back and they have a system they know and have played in," he said.
MacDuff said that while he will tinker a little with the defense, both he and the players expect to continue excelling on the defensive side of the ball.
"There will be some changes (to the defense), but it will be basically the same package that we've had for the last nine to 10 years," he said. "I expect us to be a good defense. That's what our players believe going into the season. We're going in with high expectations. We've got some good players coming back."
The defense will return numerous starters, most notably junior linebacker Lance Briggs, who has been named a preseason second-team All-America by Football News. Briggs, the conference's leading returning tackler, will likely be the field general for the defense despite the presence of sophomore cornerback Michael Jolivette and senior tackle Keoni Frasier, both preseason honorable mention All-Americans.
"(Briggs) is one of the premier defensive players in the country," Mackovic said. "He could start for any team in the country, and would. He's an outstanding player. He gives the defense mobility. He's a sure tackler and he understands what we're doing."
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Arizona Daily Wildcat file photo
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MacDuff also raved about Briggs' play in the spring practices.
"My first impression is that Lance has an opportunity to have a great year and be a great player for us," he said. "I don't see any limitations to his ability - he runs well, he's strong, instinctive, very athletic, and he's a good tackler. He understands the game - he's one player that stands out.
"Michael (Jolivette) is in the same category. He's got a lot of tools that allow him to be in a special category. He's got excellent quickness, good speed, he's instinctive and aggressive. He has a sense about him. My first impression about both those guys is that they'll be outstanding."
Mackovic, who will be calling most of the plays on offense, believes that he has found his starting quarterback - junior Jason Johnson. Johnson outplayed six other quarterbacks during spring drills, including highly-touted freshman John Rattay and sophomore Cliff Watkins.
The picture may not be so clear at running back, however. While sophomore Clarence Farmer emerged last season as the go-to guy running the ball, both junior Leo Mills and freshman Mike Bell are considered to be talented enough to compete for touches.
"It's going to be interesting," Mackovic said. "Leo Mills will be back, Clarence (Farmer) will be back and we'll have Michael Bell, who's a talented player. We have room for two players in the backfield at the same time. We'll also role-play offensive backs in certain situations."
Mackovic had one message to Arizona fans - come early and often.
"I hope our fans will get out early in the season," he said. "Four straight home games (starting September 8 against Idaho) are great chances to come see the team. We hope to create excitement and enthusiasm for the team that we can build upon."
