file photo/Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA junior quarterback Jason Johnson eludes a UNLV lineman early this season at Arizona Stadium.

Coming into the 2001 Arizona football season, one of the biggest question marks was at the quarterback position. The Wildcats faced uncertainty at the position for the first time in 10 years. To make matters worse, new head coach John Mackovic promised to make the passing game the focal point of the team's offense.

However, after only one week of spring camp, Mackovic felt confident enough in the talents of junior Jason Johnson - who had thrown only 11 passes in his UA career coming into the season - to give him the majority of snaps in practice. Little was known about the Pullayup, Wash., native, but UA football fans would soon come to know him as "J.J."

After starting the season strong with wins against San Diego State, Idaho and UNLV, Johnson was on pace for a record-setting season under center for the Wildcats. However, the Pacific 10 Conference schedule proved to be daunting and Johnson - along with the rest of the team - hit a wall. The Wildcats lost their first five conference games, failing to pull off a Pac-10 victory until they beat California, which finished last in the conference, and followed up three weeks later with a dramatic win over in-state rival Arizona State.

For Johnson, the season was as educational as it was long. As a senior next season, expectations will be high for both his and Mackovic's offense, even though the job is not yet officially his.

Johnson sat down with the Arizona Daily Wildcat last week and shared some of his thoughts and memories on one of the toughest seasons in Arizona history and his performance.

Q: What was your best memory of the season?

A: It had to be beating ASU. It was the feeling you get when you put it all together and lay it all on the line, and you're proud of what you did. To finally have it all together at the end of the season: That's the best memory you can have.

Q: What was your worst memory of the season?

A: It's probably a toss-up. Obviously, the USC game was a heartbreaker, throwing that interception. We were down 31-10 - and to come all the way back and have a chance to tie it - and we were going in to kick the game-winning field goal - to just lose the game like that. I felt like it was all on my shoulders.

I understand it's a team game, but I just felt terrible about that. As far as team standpoint, I think the Oregon State game was kind of the down point of the season. We started off so good, then we had that slide, and I think it all culminated (in) going up there and losing that game and sitting in the locker room - and we were all just, "where do we go from here?" We all just said "we're not going to quit on this season."

Q: Coach Mackovic always says the difference between a good quarterback and a great quarterback is protecting the football. Is that one thing you learned from this season?

A: Definitely. I think the turnovers were a tough thing for the whole team this year. It's something we really need to focus on. Personally, I threw 13 interceptions, and seven of them were on tipped balls. Against USC, I had four picks and three of them were tipped. It's like, "Gosh. To have them go the other way · " I think I have really learned that. This whole year has been a learning experience for me. It has only made me stronger.

Q: It was a pretty big leap jumping into the starting quarterback position. Was it something you were ready for?

A: I really wasn't surprised by it too much. A lot of people had questions about whether I could come in and lead the team and whether I can take a hit.

I think I have shown that I could take a hit. I really wasn't surprised because this is what I have trained to do. When I came in, I knew that Keith (Smith) and O.J (Ortege Jenkins) were here and that I was going to do my best. If I got a shot when they were here, I would give it my best. But I understood that a lot of college quarterbacks don't get in until their sophomore, junior or senior year. So I was going to try to do everything I could to get ready. I think I was ready when the season started. You learn the little things as you go on, such as it is OK to tuck the ball and take a sack instead of trying to make one more play.

Q: Were you able to assume a leadership role from the start despite your lack of experience?

A: Definitely. The quarterback is naturally thrust into a leadership position. I felt like as the year went on, I assumed more of a leadership role, but at the same time I knew I was only a junior and there were other senior leaders on the team. So I think now that this will be my senior year coming up, I will assume a more assertive role.

Q: How did you deal with being Jason Johnson , the first-year starter, and Jason Johnson, the guy who has to carry the torch for John Mackovic's offense?

A: It was difficult at times. I think the most pressure is put on by myself to perform. I have never needed anyone else to motivate me. There was that added pressure (in) dealing with a whole new offense. People don't understand how tough that is. Not just the fact that one guy is stepping in, but a whole team. As the year went on, it was so much easier for us in games to make adjustments. One of the biggest disadvantages was that we did not know the offense the entire off-season last year. We learned it in spring (practice), but by the time the first game rolled around, we were doing new things.

Q: What senior are you going to miss the most?

A: (Senior defensive end) Eli Wnek has been my roommate and one of my best friends my whole life. I'm going to really miss having him around because he is almost like an older brother to me. He has spiritually guided me and just been a great friend to talk to. I'm going to miss (senior wide receiver) Malosi (Leonard). He always has such a great attitude and always has a smile on his face the whole time.

Q: What is your outlook on next season? Do you think you should be the starter?

A: Where I am right now is not good enough. Not only do I need to be a better quarterback, but I need to lead the team to the places we want to go. I look at this off-season as a chance to improve more than anytime in my entire life. There are also some other guys, John (Rattay), Cliff (Watkins) and Nic (Costa) and whoever else. There is going to be some competition and I always welcome that.