By
Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Balance is the key to a new season
When senior center Bruce Wiggins talks, people listen.
The 6-foot-3 offensive lineman from Houston, currently entering his fourth season as a Wildcat, is one of the few players on the 2000 UA team that has seemingly seen it all.
It's interesting, then, to hear what the senior has to say about Arizona's chances despite losing arguably four of the best players in program history.
Wiggins is among a number of Wildcats who believe that the 2000 UA team is better than last year's highly-touted squad.
"I've been on three UA teams," Wiggins said following Friday's blue-white scrimmage at Arizona Stadium. "Nineteen-ninety seven was a good team, 1998 was a great team and 1999 was an average team. I have a good feeling about this season. Had I said that last year, I would have been lying."
According to Wiggins, the 1999 team was doomed from the beginning.
Internal problems and behind-the-scenes disputes splintered the highly-touted Wildcats and UA finished a disappointing 6-6. One such incident took place last Oct. 23 against Oregon. After missing a kick that would have tied the game, senior kicker Mark McDonald was accosted by junior defensive lineman Idris Haroon as he was walking off the field in defeat. Haroon reportedly told the star-crossed kicker, "You suck."
"This year, we're using different chemistry and dynamics," he said. "Last year, there were a lot of internal things and lots of problems. This year, our focus is to be more of a team."
The biggest challenge for the 2000 Wildcats will be replacing five departed seniors - Keith Smith, Trung Canidate, Marcus Bell, DaShon Polk and Dennis Northcutt - each of whom hold a place in UA history.
Canidate and Nortcutt, both taken in the top 35 picks of the NFL Draft, hold the all-time Arizona records for rushing and receiving, respectively. Smith, who platooned with senior quarterback Ortege Jenkins, helped to lead the 1998 team to the Holiday Bowl and a victory against Nebraska. Linebackers Bell and Polk also guided the 1998 team to one of the best defensive seasons in UA history.
According to Wiggins, the team's lack of a true superstar entering the season will help bring the Wildcats closer together.
"With Dennis and Trung here, they carried a lot of responsibility," Wiggins said. "This year, the whole team carries the burden. (Playing without them) is a good thing, it forces us to come together."
Wiggins isn't the only Wildcat player with a good feeling about the upcoming season.
Jenkins believes Arizona has the capability to surprise the college football community. After platooning with departed senior Keith Smith for the past two seasons, Jenkins seems to have finally come into his own as a player.
As the team's field general, the senior is excited about his team's chances.
"(Arizona's) got lots of hungry guys - redshirts or (junior college) transfers," he said. "The bottom line is that we're going to be the shocker."
Freshman safety Clay Hardt agreed.
"Anytime you get talked down upon, people doubt you and negativity surrounds the team," Hardt said. "If you're going to go out and support the team at the end of the year, don't doubt us now."
Running back Clarence Farmer, who ran for 37 yards on eight carries during Friday's scrimmage, believes that the team's unity can help the UA to prevail in a conference that features such schools as Southern California and Washington. Both schools are predicted to finish in the top-25 nationally.
"It's all about growing and working hard with intensity," he said. "We're not five fingers - we're a fist."
