KEVIN KLAUS/ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT Gainus Scott does what he's here to do at Thursday's scrimmage.

Mackovic will not suspend players arrested for fighting over summer break

UA wide receiver Bobby Wade can breathe a sign of relief after talking with UA head coach John Mackovic on Sunday about his status for the upcoming season.

Mackovic said yesterday he will not suspend Wade or Andre Torrey and Javier Martinez who were all arrested over the summer but they will be made to volunteer to help build a home for the Habitat for Humanity on Sept. 11.

"I think it's an opportunity for them to be in the community and show that we do in fact have good, young people on our team," Mackovic said. "Secondly, it reinforces our commitment to our community. Third, it reinforces to our team that if we put a side forward that is not as complimentary as we would like, we have to work hard to earn that back within the community."

Wade was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct in an early-morning fight June 23 in the parking lot of Polly Esther's, a Scottsdale nightclub.

Torrey, a junior defensive end, and Martinez, a junior tight end and former player Danny Perry were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting with other bar patrons in front of Che's Lounge, 346 N. Fourth Ave., on July 28.

"In both cases, someone else was involved and they became involved because someone else was involved," Mackovic said. "I tried to look at what I feel is the right thing to do. I have not talked to any attorneys, but basically, I am in a position where I have to be both judge and jury, so to speak."

Bumps and Bruises

After wrapping up 14 days and 22 practices of fall camp the Wildcats weren't able to escape with a clean slate on the injury report.

The biggest loss might have come just two days before the end of camp when senior offensive guard Makoa Freitas injured his right hand in practice.

The Manoa, Hawaii native underwent surgery Saturday on the wrist and is expected to be out a couple of weeks. The short-term goal is for Freitas to be ready for the Sept. 21 game at Wisconsin.

"Makoa is not only a great player but he is a great leader," UA senior quarterback Jason Johnson said. "He works so hard. He really anchors the front of that line. I know that he is going to step up and I know he will be back before no time."

The 6-foot-4 inch, 295-pounder moved from tackle to guard in the fall due to injuries to several players. Senior Aaron Higginbotham is expected to start in place of Freitas.

Freshman wide receiver Mike Jefferson also had surgery over the weekend to repair cartilage damage in his knee. He is expected to miss several weeks. Other players with injuries that are expected to keep them out of the season opener against Northern Arizona University are offensive tackle Darren Safranek (knee) who is doubtful, linebacker Pat Howard (knee) is questionable. OL John Vorsheck (concussion) is questionable.

Examining the depth chart

Maybe the biggest surprise of fall camp was by a player named Joey Willrodt. A former walk-on defensive end during spring camp was not only awarded a scholarship by Mackovic but was named the starter at fullback.

Willrodt, a senior, won the top job from redshirt freshmen Sean Jones and Antoine Singfield. The 6-foot-1 inch, 240-pound Willrodt transferred to UA from Moorpark (Calif.) Junior College.

Another new face on the Wildcats roster is UA basketball player Mike Schwertley. He is a 6-foot-5 inch, 235-pound walk-on, who began working out with the team in the middle of fall camp. He originally began practicing with the tight ends but switched to defensive end. He played end for Phoenix Brophy Prep. He is not listed on the depth chart for the season opener.

Close race on special teams

Some of the most closely fought battles have come on special teams.

Mackovic said yesterday that he expects senior Sean Keel to handle all the PAT/field goal work, but sophomore Bobby Gill has been closer to him in practice than he was last year.

"I'm not against giving him (Gill) the opportunity to kick as well if the opportunity presents itself," Mackovic said. "We are not necessarily having a competition for the sake of competition."

The battle at punter might be even closer than at kicker. Sophomore Ramey Peru and freshman Danny Baugher have been neck to neck all fall and Mackovic said he is still not ready to name the starter.

Mackovic said that Wade will handle kickoffs and punts this year like he did last year but might not be on the field for all kickoffs.

"I want (freshmen) Gainus Scott and Mike Bell to be back there on the kick returns because I think both players can be explosive return men, and we are looking for more big plays from a year ago in those return units," he said. "(Junior) Gary Love is likely to start there first, but gradually, I want to move Gainus and Mike in there to get more opportunities."