Associated Press

Arizona's Bobby Wade (1) outruns a tackle attempt by a unidentified Washington State player on a punt return during the first quarter Saturday.

After 28 uncontested points in the first seven minutes, WSU routs Arizona

Saturday September 29, 2001

The first seven minutes of the game couldn't have gone any worse for the Wildcats Saturday night against visiting Washington State.

After running only nine plays on offense, UA found itself down by a score of 28 to 0.

The Wildcats narrowed the deficit to only seven points early in the second quarter at 28-21, but were unable to get any closer, losing 48-21.

"Washington State had a great game plan early," UA wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "I don't think we were overconfident. We just came out a little flat."

The Cougars (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference) got on the scoreboard early.

UA junior quarterback Jason Johnson was intercepted on the third play of the game by WSU senior free safety Lamont Thompson, who returned it for a 36-yard touchdown. The pick was the first of three on the night thrown by Johnson.

"I've got to take the blame for the slow start because I'm the quarterback," Johnson said. "It was a tough loss and we've got to hand it to them."

The Wildcats defense was unable to stop the Cougars after that, as WSU scored on their first three possessions.

WSU junior quarterback Jason Gesser controlled the tempo throughout the opening frame.

Gesser threw touchdown passes of 29 yards and six yards, and senior tailback Dave Minnich scored on an eight-yard run to put the Cougars up by 28 points.

"I don't think our team has ever had a quarter like that," WSU head coach Mike Price said. "I can't remember ever scoring 28 points in a quarter before."

Gesser finished the night completing 17 of 31 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

"Gesser is a really good quarterback, but he is not better than (Johnson)," Wade said. "He threw the ball deep really well to his big receivers. He made it tough on our cornerbacks."

Johnson struggled for the first time in his career during the first quarter. The Puyallup, Wash. native threw all three of his interceptions in the first quarter. In his three previous starts Johnson had only one interception.

Johnson finished the night completing 13 of 25 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown.

UA head coach John Mackovic said his quarterback played well despite some poor choices.

"I think he handled himself well, but he just made some throws that were off," an exhausted Mackovic said.

The Wildcats had to nearly abandon the running game as they were playing catch-up for the entire contest. Sophomore running back Clarence Farmer had only 16 carries for the game, and only four after halftime.

"I really wanted to get back in the game," Farmer said. "We really screwed up in the first quarter."

It looked as if Arizona was going to be able to come back in the first quarter, when Farmer scored on a 31-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing possession by Washington State, Gesser was sacked by senior defense end Johnny Jackson, forcing a fumble that senior defensive lineman Austin Uku recovered and ran in for a touchdown to pull the Wildcats to within 14.

The Wildcats then were able to cut the score to 28-21 on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to junior wide receiver Bobby Wade.

"We started clicking and we really started to calm down and relax," Wade said.

But it wasn't enough.

The Cougars were in control after that. The Wildcats would not score for the rest of the game.

On one drive in the second quarter, the Cougars had an 18-play drive that lasted for eight minutes that resulted in a six-yard touchdown run by Minnich. He would finish the night rushing for 121 yards on 30 carries for three touchdowns.

On that drive, WSU converted on five third down tries.

"When you are playing a team that has been together for so long," UA head coach John Mackovic said about WSU. "Nobody should be surprised when they play well.

"Is it going to get harder? I think so."