If the Arizona football team's success hinges on how well its quarterback does, Saturday's Spring Game did not bode well. It was much of the same for starting quarterback Kris Heavner: glimpses of greatness coupled with miscues.
In his first extensive action since being named starting quarterback, Heavner threw for 101 yards on 12-for-25 passing, but had two interceptions in the offense's 26-20 loss.
"I was not pleased," Heavner said.
Last year, Heavner threw for 1,501 yards and completed 121 passes on 237 attempts - all UA freshman records - but threw 15
interceptions. The sophomore-to-be started the Wildcats' last eight games in 2003.
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Canales said Saturday's game was an aberration and Heavner has done well so far.
"Every live scrimmage situation, he really hasn't thrown any picks," Canales said. "I think he was pressing. He just needs to relax."
Canales said the staff will sit down with Heavner to resolve the problem.
"I think the thing we've got to do is isolate it and find out what he is struggling with and look at it really closely," Canales said.
Head coach Mike Stoops said he is happy with Heavner's progress, along with that of sophomore running back Mike Bell and junior tight end Steve Fleming.
"Kris Heavner continues to get better, and he is much more comfortable with what we are trying to do," Stoops said. "We also have to find ways to get the ball into Steve Fleming's hands and Mike Bell's hands."
The interceptions were costly - literally - at four points apiece, while the defense earned points by forcing three-and-outs and what would have been punts. The offense tallied 338 yards passing and 107 yards on the ground in 86 plays.
The Wildcats, however, were missing three likely starters on the offensive line.
"I am very pleased that we finally put the ball in the end zone. I thought they were going to keep a lid on that baby," Canales said with a laugh. "Turnovers just drive me nuts, so we have to get that corrected. It's the same story."
In the first two scrimmages of the spring, the offense scored one touchdown. But the quarterbacks spread the wealth, hitting 11 different receivers during the 90-minute exhibition.
"We started moving the ball a little more because we're understanding the offense more," Heavner said. "This fall, it's going to be a smooth transition."
"You can see from the first string to the second string, we've come so far," freshman quarterback Ryan O'Hara said. "The defense will be ahead of the offense any time you put in a new offense, but I think we've done well."
Sophomore quarterback Nic Costa said he was pleased with his performance.
"I think I did OK; my reads were OK," Costa said.
Costa had only one carry - a 14-yard run - but was third on the team in rushing, one yard behind sophomore running back Gilbert Harris' 15 yards on five carries.
Costa said he was open to playing other positions, saying he just wants to get the ball in his hands, but still desires the quarterback job.
"If for some reason it doesn't work out, I want to get on the field and they want to use me in different ways to get me on the field, whether that it's at back or at slot," Costa said.
Canales said the staff could decide Costa's fate after the one-month recruiting session ends.
"We've got to feature him on the field somewhere if he is not in that mix," Canales said. "Maybe he can help us at quarterback and receiver and running back."