Associated Press

Arizona linebacker Lance Briggs drills San Diego State tight end Gary McNeill, knocking the ball loose after a 9-yard reception during the second quarter last night.

Friday August 31, 2001

SAN DIEGO - First year UA head coach John Mackovic brought in defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff to Arizona for one reason - to keep UA's trademark double-eagle flex defense, better known as "Desert Storm," intact.

Mac Duff's unit did nothing to disappoint in the Wildcats' season opener last night as Arizona defeated San Diego State 23-10 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

After allowing 10 points in the first quarter, the Wildcats' defense shutout the Aztecs for the remainder of the game.

"I don't think the 'D' was worried because we were down," junior linebacker

Lance Briggs said. "We knew what they had. We made quite a statement tonight.

"Coach Mac Duff made some great calls tonight. He let our defense play."

Story of the Game

Play of the Game: With 2:56 left in the second quarter, senior safety Brandon Nash retuned a Larry Ned fumble 56 yards for a touchdown, giving Arizona a 16-10 lead, one that they never relinquish. Player of the Game: Junior linebacker Lance Briggs, who had 7 1/2 tackles in the win. Stat of the game: Junior quarterback Jason Johnson completed 21 of 32 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown in the win and delivered passes to eight different UA receivers - Malosi Leonard, Bobby Wade. Andrae Thurman, Brandon Marshall, Anthony Fulcher, Lance Relford, James Hugo and Clarence Farmer - en route to the victory

Mac Duff said after the victory that he accomplished his goals that he set for the opening game of the season.

"Going into the game, we had three goals," Mac Duff said. "One was to stop the run, which I think we did a decent job of. The other was to take the ball away, which I think we ended up with three of those. The third was not to allow any big plays because they have really good receivers and a good quarterback."

UA junior quarterback Jason Johnson said he was proud of his squad and how they handled themselves early in the first half.

"We got down early, but we fought back," Johnson said. "We showed a lot of poise and a lot of leadership on this team."

The Wildcats' strong defense was led by Briggs and sophomore cornerback

Michael Jolivette, who finished the game with a combined 15.5 tackles and a sack. Arizona held San Diego State to 70 yards rushing thanks to its nickel defense.

"The defense played very well," Mackovic said. "We controlled their run, which allowed us to play nickel defense."

Aztec senior running back Larry Ned, who rushed for over a hundred yards in his last meeting against Arizona, finished the game with 43 yards and a touchdown.

Aztec head coach Ted Tollner said the tailback's last of success could have been due to Mac Duff's double-eagle flex defense.

"They did a good job disguising things and we had trouble picking it up sometimes," Tollner said. "They have a good front and brought pressure from the secondary."

Associated Press

Arizona running back Clarence Farmer leaves San Diego State's Dylan Robles on the ground as he races for a 12-yard touchdown during the second quarter of their game Thursday. UA won a sloppy first showing 23-10.

The stellar performance by the defense allowed the Wildcats' offense, which finished the game with a total 156 yards, to come together.

"They played a heck of a game," said sophomore halfback Clarence Farmer, who finished the game with 68 yards and a touchdown. "We rallied a lot off of that. We can't expect anything better than that."

Mackovic lived up to his promise by showing Arizona fans a new, high-powered passing offense.

Johnson went 21-for-32 passing, finishing the game with 176 yards, including a 41-yard pass to senior wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

"I just felt real comfortable with the game plan," Johnson said. "We just had great team chemistry tonight."

In what turned into being one of the most important plays of the game, UA sophomore wide receiver Andrae Thurman blocked a San Diego State punt early in the second quarter, cutting UA's deficit to 10-2.

The Wildcats then rallied off 21 consecutive points to win their opening game of the season.

"That was a big play," Mackovic said. "It was like, 'Okay, we're off'."

Despite the new head coach, one Wildcat tradition remained intact. Following the game, the Wildcats sang the Arizona fight song, "Bear Down, Arizona," in the locker room for the first time since last Oct. 14.

"The guys were like, 'It's been a long time since we could sing Bear Down'," Mackovic said