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Former UA defensive end Joe Tafoya goes after UCLA running back DeShaun Foster in a game against the Bruins last season at Arizona Stadium. Tafoya was one of six former UA players to be released by an NFL team over the weekend.

Tuesday September 4, 2001

Banks back in action - sort of

Six former UA football players failed to make it through one of professional football's toughest weekends.

Center Bruce Wiggins, defensive end Van Tuinei, fullback Paul Shields, defensive end Joe Tafoya, offensive tackle Marques McFadden and wide receiver Rodney Williams were all released or waived by National Football League teams over the weekend, just one week before the start of the NFL season.

However, some may be kept when teams finalize their practice squads by tomorrow.

The biggest surprise in the cuts may be the release of Tafoya, a seventh-round draft pick who signed a three-year contract with the Buccaneers July 19. Tafoya - considered small for an NFL defensive lineman - would have had to compete with former All-Pros Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice.

Tafoya was released after reaching an injury settlement.

Tampa Bay also cut beleaguered quarterback Ryan Leaf, a former No. 2 overall pick first released by San Diego in the spring.

Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (St. Louis Rams) and linebacker Antonio Pierce (Washington Redskins) were the only two former Wildcat rookies to make an NFL roster.

The news on freshman defensive end Fata Avegalio seems to be worse than expected.

Avegalio dislocated his left elbow in Thursday's game against San Diego State and will be kept out of action for at least six weeks, Mackovic said.

"The guy held him on that play," Mackovic said. "He grabbed his arm and it was a weird thing. He was going to make the play and the guy grabbed him.

"He'll be able to practice some on a limited basis after the swelling and discomfort go down."

The loss of Avegalio, a native of Pago Pago, American Somoa, is a major blow to a position that has been plagued by injury for the last month.

The news is better for senior defensive lineman Austin Uku.

Uku, who missed the game with a sprained knee ligament, will be back to practice this week.

Senior defensive end Eli Wnek, who suffered a stress fracture in his foot during summer practices, should also be back by the start of Pacific 10 Conference play Sept. 29 against Washington State.

Senior cornerback Anthony Banks has rejoined the UA team this week, although his availability will be questionable for at least two weeks.

Banks, who played in all 11 games last season, will be suspended for two games and will return in time to take on the Cougars at Arizona Stadium.

"He is now going to work out and serve a two-game suspension for putting the team and himself in that position," Mackovic said. "He will be able to practice but will not be able to play for the next two games."

Banks, who was academically ineligible for the past two weeks, got his summer school grades posted late last week and became eligible to play.

"Tony Banks got his grade finally posted," Mackovic said. "He finished his class, he got it done and then got the grade posted. "

UA sophomore running back Clarence Farmer got the best of SDSU senior running back Larry Ned in the Wildcats' 23-10 victory of the Aztecs.

Both players are preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back.

Farmer ran for 90 yards on 21 carries, 47 more yards than Ned gained.

"Clarence Farmer really ran hard," Mackovic said. "I'd describe his running as like a raging bull because that's really the way he is when he gets the ball. He just goes."

Farmer's biggest run of the game came in the third quarter when he took a counter play to the SDSU 5-yard line for a 27-yard run.

The tailback's run set up the Wildcats' final touchdown.