AMY WINKLER/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA freshman quarterback Nic Costa drops back to pass Saturday during the football team's intrasquad spring game. The blue team defeated the red team, 21-6, in the culmination of spring practice.

In his second spring game since taking over as head coach of the Wildcats, John Mackovic says he saw many signs that his team has improved.

In the game, there was a glimpse into the future, solid play by veterans and the resurgence of a defense that gave up the most points in school history in 2001.

"We are a better team than we were at this time last year," Mackovic said. "I feel much stronger about being able to say that we are going to be an improved team."

The Blue team, led by senior starting quarterback Jason Johnson, defeated the Red team in a two-hour scrimmage by a score of 21-6 in front of 5,000 people.

Johnson completed 15 of 24 passes for 141 yards including a 21-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Bobby Wade.

"Bobby was joking around with me after the first half 'cause I hadn't really thrown him the ball yet," said Johnson, who hit Wade on a corner fade pass. "I saw him coming out of the huddle (in the fourth quarter) and we had one-on-one coverage and Bobby ran a great route."

Freshman Nic Costa, who played primarily for the Red team until the final two drives in the fourth quarter when he took over for Johnson on the Blue team, was 7-of-17 for 65 yards.

"I really enjoy playing against the No. 1 defense," said Costa, who played with the second string offense for three quarters. "I like the speed of the game when I play against the one. I feel like it makes me better. It was fun."

But the story on offense was the play of freshmen tailbacks Mike Bell and Gainus Scott, who showed they can be capable rushers behind returning Pacific 10 Conference rushing champion junior Clarence Farmer this season and in the future.

Bell and Scott played for both the Red and Blue teams, switching jerseys on every change of possession.

"That was really irritating me," said Bell, who finished with 12 carries for 53 yards. "I didn't like that. It made me angry."

Scott, the younger brother of former Wildcat offensive lineman Yusef Scott, rushed for a game-high 71 yards on 21 tries, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the first half that capped off an impressive 12-play, 82-yard drive by the Blue team.

"It was very nice to get into the end zone," Scott said. "I wish it was a real game though."

While the offense was inconsistent at times Saturday, turning the ball over four times, the defense was solid throughout.

Junior cornerback Michael Jolivette intercepted two passes on the day and took the first one, a Nic Costa-thrown pass which sailed over the head of receiver Juan Valentine, into the end zone for a Blue team touchdown.

"Michael had a real good day," Mackovic said. "I think he's had a terrific spring. We know he is a real good player, but last year he played satisfactorily. However, I think he's playing now closer to the level we were counting on him playing last year. He's ahead of where he was last year."

All Pac-10 player Lance Briggs, who led the Wildcats in tackles with five, said the defense people will see this season will not be similar to last year.

"Last season was unacceptable," Briggs said. "We have gotten better every day in every way this spring. We're playing with more attitude. What happened last year will never happen again, not in my time here."

The defense tallied six sacks on the day, with freshman Brad Brittain leading both teams with two.

Brittain, who moved to defensive tackle this spring, was also one of the recipients of a Bear Down Award announced at halftime by Mackovic.

"Brad Brittain showed that he can be a significant player in the middle of our defensive line," Mackovic said.

Brittain was joined by tight end Justin Levasseur, offensive lineman John Vorsheck and KAT linebacker Anthony Fulcher as the most improved Wildcats. Defensive back Darrell Brooks, Bell, Scott and defensive lineman Andre Torrey each received the Newcomers' Award.

Overall, Mackovic said he is pleased with the progress his team made this spring.

"We have work to do like anyone does," he said. "Defensively we have made the kinds of strides this spring that we need to make. Are we there yet? No. Are we on the right track? Absolutely."

The first play of the second half was scripted by Paul Arnaud, who was given the chance to write the play as a part of a promotion by the athletic department.

In the past, the play has rarely worked and has even included 12 offensive players on the field at the same time.

However, this year was different - the play actually turned into positive yardage to the surprise of Mackovic, who said he didn't think it would work.

The play was a "hook and lateral" thrown by Costa to Juan Valentine, who pitched the ball to Scott down the left sideline. The play resulted in a 38-yard gain for the Red team which helped lead to a 22-yard Bobby Gill field goal.