KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore running back Clarence Farmer breaks a tackle by an Idaho defender during last season's game against the Vandals. Farmer and the Wildcats play host to NAU tomorrow night in the team's season opener.

Second year of the Mackovic era set to kick off tomorrow night

Decorum dictates that a coach never admit that any game is a guaranteed win. But UA's match-up tomorrow night with Northern Arizona University is as close to that as the Wildcats will see this season.

When UA (0-0) kicks off against Divison I-AA NAU (0-0) tomorrow, the biggest challenge will be to not lose any key players to injury and establish confidence heading into the Wildcats' next game against Utah two weeks later.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the match-up is the similar schemes used by both teams. The NAU coaching staff came down to Tucson a couple of years ago to study the Wildcats' complex double-eagle flex defense, and employ it in what UA head coach John Mackovic calls "it's purest form."

"They are making the same kinds of transitions (on defense) that we have been talking about making," Mackovic said.

The UA coaching staff considered scrapping the double-eagle flex defense altogether after the 2001 season because the Wildcat defense gave up more than 34 points per game. But Mackovic and defensive coordinator Larry MacDuff both said they feel they have been able to tweak the defense enough to keep using it.

Both coaches should have a good idea how the new scheme will match-up against the Lumberjacks' multiple-set offense, similar to the one Mackovic has installed at UA. It should result in the teams looking fairly similar on the field, leaving the result up to position talent.

"They will have a good idea about what to do and how to attack us, but I think that we will have a good idea as well," Mackovic said.

The game will provide an opportunity for the coaching staff to see how far the players have come in grasping the changes made on both sides of the ball, in terms of personnel and schemes. Mackovic said earlier this week he feels progress has been made, but he's continuing to push his players to improve their play.

"We are far more comfortable about what to expect this year," Mackovic said. "The players will have their noses to the grindstone all week, and I'll be grinding the wheel."

One main issue of concern for the coaching staff has been in the punting game. Returning junior punter Ramey Peru finished last in the conference last season with an average of 37.9 yards per kick. This season, true freshman Danny Baugher has come in and provided competition for the starting spot, and Mackovic said he doesn't plan on naming a starter until game time.

Also causing concern on special teams is the status of kickoff specialist Ryan Slack, who is going to be unavailable tomorrow night due to severe swelling in his knee. Mackovic said he has not yet decided who will handle the kickoff duties in his place, and said he might use both Sean Keel, who handles field goal and extra point duties, and backup Bobby Gill in the game, depending on their performance.

The game will also provide an opportunity for fans to see how this season's younger defensive line will perform coming off a terrible year for the unit. Mackovic said he was confident that the line's personnel is up to the challenge, and raved about the progress of one of his younger linemen.

"Those guys have really come along. This is the most depth and the most size we've had up front. (Sophomore defensive end) Carlos Williams is the guy who can do the most things of anybody," Mackovic said.