KEVIN KLAUS

UA head football coach John Mackovic sits down with the media yesterday in McKale Center during his weekly press conference. Mackovic's first game as the helm of the football team will be this Thursday against San Diego State in San Diego, Calif.

Tuesday August 28, 2001 |

A common theme emerged yesterday among the Arizona players when talking about Thursday's opener against San Diego State - how important it will be to come out and make a statement.

"I think the biggest sense of urgency for this game is that it's the opener," said junior linebacker Lance Briggs. "That's part of our goal to win the opener and make a statement."

Sophomore tight end Justin Levasseur agreed.

"This game is really important (for us) to make a statement," he said. "We need to win this one big."

UA head coach John Mackovic said he is not expecting his players to be uptight.

"I think everyone will be nervous," Mackovic said. "There is a difference between being nervous and being uptight. I think everyone has nerves, but I don't think everyone gets uptight."

Mackovic said he has no concern about his starting quarterback - junior Jason Johnson - being nervous.

"He is anxious and doesn't have anything built up," Mackovic said. "The nice thing about him is that he is like one of those blank slates. He is writing his own story."

Johnson, who will be starting in his first career game Thursday, said he is excited about the opportunity he is getting.

"I don't think I will be feeling uptight in the game," Johnson said. "I'm not really feeling nervous."

Even Mackovic, who has been out of coaching for the last three years, said he can't wait to get back on the field.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Mackovic said. "I'm going to enjoy walking out on that field. If more coaches and more players could leave it for a while and come back to it, they would go about it so differently.

"We take it for granted while we are in it. It just becomes a routine. But after you are away from it and you have a chance to go back and do it again, you really look forward to the excitement of being part of the game. That's what I enjoy the most."

Johnson said he is not worried about Mackovic changing his attitude when UA plays SDSU.

"I think sometimes the true colors don't come out until the ball is in play," Johnson said. "I think we all have a good feeling for each other. We have a lot of respect for the coaches. I think we will all get along just fine."

Is Mackovic going deep on the first play?

He still doesn't know.

"I have been thinking about it for a week," Mackovic said. "How am I going to say hello to the fans?"

Johnson said he would love to air it out on the first play.

"Lets go long," Johnson said. "No·it will be whatever coach Mackovic decides. I don't know we're going to do. We could do a couple different things."

The Wildcats will enter their first game relatively healthy.

Mackovic listed only four injuries, with only one of them - senior defensive end Eli Wnek - being serious.

Wnek, who injured his ankle a month ago, will be out of action against SDSU but said last week he would like to return by the end of Arizona's non-conference schedule.

Senior defensive lineman Austin Uku is listed as "doubtful to out." Junior offensive lineman Darren Safranek is listed as "questionable."

Briggs, however, isn't worried about his injured teammates.

"You need to take (injuries) how they come," Briggs said. "I'm sorry for the guys that are down, but if they can't make the game, we still have to play. Guys are going to get banged up. If they do get hurt, somebody is going to have to step up and do the job."

The other injured player is freshman tight end Steve Fleming, who Mackovic said is around 85 percent healthy.

"Once he is ready, we are definitely going to work him into the mix," Mackovic said.

Sophomore wide receiver Gary Love is hoping he can make the best out of his increased role this season.

Love, who primarily played on special teams as a freshman, will get the opportunity to play wide receiver.

"Playing wide receiver is natural to me, so hopefully I can go out there and prove myself as a receiver and a special teams player," Love said.

Love won Pac-10 Player of the Week honors last season for his work in the Wildcats' 53-47 overtime win over Washington State on Oct. 14. In the game, Love notched 126 yards on six returns while logging two tackles on kick coverage.

The 5-foot-10 sophomore said he is excited that he will get to showcase his talents in front of his family and friends, whom he has not seen in over a year.

"I'm looking forward to it," Love said. "I'm back home, I'm back in Southern California. It should be really exciting for me."

Love, who prepped at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, said he will not be nervous playing in front of his family.

"No, I will not be nervous because family is family, and they will love me whether I perform well or not," Love said. "Hopefully, I will perform well"