Saturday November 10, 2001

UA loses homecoming game, 51-37, to Stanford

Associated Press

Stanford's Brian Allen (34) is dragged down by Arizona's Brandon Nash (19) and Jarvie Worcester (47) in the first quarter at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday.

So much for a bowl game.

For the third-straight season, the Arizona football team will not play in a bowl game after getting embarrassed for three quarters at home against No. 16 Stanford, 51-37, Saturday night.

"Hell no, we haven't played entire 60 minutes all season," UA junior wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "I don't remember a game where we have. Putting 60 minutes together for this Wildcat football team has almost been impossible all year. It's probably our No. 1 problem."

The Wildcats (4-6 overall, 1-6 Pacific 10 Conference) were unable to protect the ball, committing five turnovers, four on fumbles. Stanford (6-2 overall, 5-2 Pac-10) would score 20 points off those turnovers, providing them with the margin of victory they would need.

A late comeback made the game interesting for the remaining fans from the 40,632 that showed up, but it was the first three quarters that put UA in such a deep hole.

Even when the Wildcats - who have now lost seven straight Pac-10 games in Arizona Stadium - moved the ball against one of the conferences best defensive teams, it seemed the series would end with a turnover.

The biggest blunder came in the third quarter while the Wildcats were going in for a score from the Stanford five-yard line trying to cut into the 33-16 deficit.

As UA junior quarterback Jason Johnson dropped back to pass, he was sacked by senior safety Tank Williams and fumbled the football. The ball was picked up by senior linebacker Coy Wire and took the ball 89 yards for the touchdown.

"We did some good things defensively," Stanford head coach Tyrone Willingham said.

It was just a sign of things to come as the Cardinal poured it on in the second and third quarters.

In the third frame, Stanford tailback Kenneth Tolon appeared to be tackled for a loss, but managed to break free and take the ball 71 yards for the touchdown.

The Cardinal run defense, the No. 1 unit in the Pac-10, held the Wildcats to only 44 rushing yards through three quarters.

Conversely, Stanford gained 211 on the ground over the same span.

Both senior Brian Allen and Tolon set new career highs with 143 and 100 yards rushing, respectively.

"Tolon did some great things," Willingham said. "We're continually seeking opportunities to keep him growing."

Those weren't the only two Cardinal players who hurt UA. Sophomore wide receiver Teyo Johnson set career highs in catches with eight for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

The 6-foot-7 receiver, who also plays for the Stanford basketball team, outsized the tallest cornerback in the UA defensive secondary by eight inches.

Johnson caught two touchdown passes, one of which was a fade pass that went over the head of sophomore cornerback Michael Jolivette for a 3-yard touchdown.

"Michael played that play great," UA head coach John Mackovic said. "It was just a perfect pass."

Stanford sophomore quarterback Chris Lewis, who has replaced the injured Randy Fasani the past three weeks, showed he has improved greatly from the last time he played the Wildcats. In his first career start last season, the Cardinal lost 17-3 to UA.

"Last year was last year," Lewis said. "I had a lot of good quality time. It made me feel more relaxed on the field. It's fun out there."

UA jumped out to an early 10-3 lead after Johnson connected with sophomore tailback Clarence Farmer for a 43-yard touchdown catch. It was Farmer's first touchdown reception in his career and also his longest career reception.

That touchdown would be the only time the Wildcats would see the endzone during the next two quarters.

With Arizona down 48-16 at the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats put together 21 unanswered points to make the final score closer.

Farmer scored on a 21-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, putting him over 1,000 yards rushing on the season.

"Tonight showed that we don't quit," Farmer said. "This team never gave up."

Johnson was pulled in the middle of the third quarter after going 14 of 28 fro 260 yards and one interception, and was replaced by freshman John Rattay, who played mostly against the Cardinal second team defense.

Rattay finished the night completing 11 of 22 for 155 yards and a touchdown to senior wide receiver Malosi Leonard late in he fourth quarter.

"This is not how I wanted to end my career here," said Leonard, who also blocked a punt in the fourth quarter. "It's hard not coming out with the win."