By
Maxx Wolfson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The Oregon State winless all-time at Arizona Stadium
Arizona football team seeks to take on a different role tomorrow against Oregon State - the role of the spoiler.
The No. 10 Beavers need a victory against the Wildcats to force a showdown with the Oregon Ducks for a potential Rose Bowl bid Nov. 18 at the "Civil War" in Corvallis, Ore.
"We would definitely love to spoil the Beavers from getting in the Rose Bowl," sophomore wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "Finally getting a win in the position that we are in would just be a big deal to us. Hopefully we can spoil some hearts and make some teams say, 'I can't believe the Wildcats beat Oregon State'."
OSU (8-1 overall, 5-1 Pacific 10 conference) has not appeared in the Rose Bowl since 1965.
With hopes of Arizona (5-4, 3-3) playing in its first-ever Rose Bowl gone, the Wildcats are at least hoping a bowl game is in their future.
With only two games remaining - against Oregon State and Arizona State Nov. 25 - the Wildcats need at least one win to become bowl eligible.
"I think we still have a chance to play in some good bowls especially if we can win out," Wade said. "I think our main focus is to have a good feeling about ourselves and our Wildcat team."
Sophomore linebacker Lance Briggs feels that, with a few lucky breaks here and there, it could be Arizona who is playing for a Rose Bowl berth.
"I know we are a better team than what our record shows." Briggs said. "One thing that I believe since the Ohio State game is that I personally don't think we should have a loss on our schedule and that is a personal thing. This year was maybe not just the year and that always leaves it open in our future to shine."
One good note for UA is that history is on its side - Oregon State has never defeated the Wildcats in Tucson in its 10 games at Arizona Stadium.
"They very well may be the best team that we have played against, and I think there is a lot of evidence to support that," UA head coach Dick Tomey said.
For the Wildcats to continue its home dominance against OSU, they will need to stop Beaver running back Ken Simonton.
Simonton, who ranks No. 7 all-time in the Pac-10 in career rushing yards with 3,802, is the leading rusher in the conference this season averaging 143.1 yards per game.
"Ken is really the heart and soul of the offense of our football team," OSU head coach Dennis Erickson said. "He is tough and is an outstanding runner and he makes plays for us and has really done it all for us.
"He opens up other avenues for us offensively as far as play-action pass. He has just had a great year."
Arizona, which ranks No. 2 in the conference in rushing defense, feels confident that they can stop the run. The Wildcats are holding opposing running backs to only to 2.1 yards per carry, but has a big test stopping the Oregon State rushing attack that averages a conference-best 4.4 yards per carry.
While the Arizona defense ranks No. 2 in the Pac-10, the Beavers boast the conference's best total defense.
"They have the quickest defense that we will have played against, and the have the best defensive ends we have played," Tomey said.
The game will be a test for an Arizona team that has been inconsistent all season - especially in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats have lost three straight games in the closing minutes.
"I cannot pinpoint the problem in the fourth quarter because offensively and defensively we still play hard," Briggs said. "Assignments may have been broken but like I said the team is playing well and when we are fighting in the fourth quarter, anything can happen."
On offense, the Wildcats will turn to both freshman Clarence Farmer and sophomore Leo Mills in the backfield.
Mills, who started his first game of his career at tailback last Saturday against Washington, set career highs in both yards (185) and carries (29).
"Both of them have demonstrated that they have a lot of capabilities," Tomey said. "I hope that we can keep them healthy. Both of them are excellent receivers, too. I am thrilled to see Leo have the success that he is having."
As the career of Arizona quarterback Ortege Jenkins is winding down, he is trying to end his four-year career on a high note.
After a nightmare game against UCLA two weeks ago, where he threw four interceptions, Jenkins bounced back and threw for 206 yards against Washington last Saturday.
"Jenkins creates a lot of problems for you," Erickson said. "He throws it, he runs, he is a tremendous athlete and last week he physically played well."
