By
Chris Martin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wow, what a weekend!
The Olympics started, UA volleyball dominated two ranked opponents and the football team found its running back of the future - Clarence Farmer.
In what turned out to be a defensive struggle, this young, sleek freshman from Texas proved to be the team's offensive spark, slashing through the San Diego State defensive line, routinely finding himself in the secondary.
With sophomores Leo Mills and Larry Croom slated as the primary running backs to start the season, Farmer remained an unknown to UA football fans.
Not anymore.
It was refreshing to see this running back moving the ball and a defense actually respecting the Arizona run.
It is no coincidence that, with the ground game finally clicking, O.J. had his best game of the season.
With the emergence of Farmer, teams will have to respect the run and no longer will O.J. look like a gazelle running from a cheetah on the Discovery channel.
With time in the pocket, "the Juice" proved he is a capable passer connecting with a variety of receivers.
Even more impressive is the fact that Jenkins was 19- for-29 without his top two receiving threats - Bobby Wade and Brad Brennan.
Still, the success can be contributed to the running game. It makes you realize how valuable Trung Canidate was to the Wildcats the last couple years.
Though Mills and Croom averaged better than five yards per carry, it was Farmer who brought the electricity to the field.
Every time he touches the ball he has a chance of going the distance. It is his rare combination of speed and power that makes him what football coaches call a 'home run hitter.'
All you had to do was notice the 13-yard explosion for a touchdown in the fourth quarter by Farmer to see his potential.
Too bad the play was called back on a holding penalty - it was a thing of beauty.
So let's hope the running back controversy is over and this quality freshman gets the nod in two weeks against Stanford.
Seniority shouldn't take precedence in NCAA football - talent wins games and Farmer clearly has the talent.
Not only has Farmer become the answer to the running back question for Arizona, this is a kid who all UA fans can route for.
Anyone who witnessed Farmer at the end of the game - crying in joy while embracing his mother - had to feel good about Wildcat football.
Especially with the rousing chants of "Clarence,Clarence" from the student section.
