FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Wildcat running back Mike Bell dodges a UTEP defender in the UA's season opener. Bell became the team's featured back after Clarence Farmer wsa cut.

With thoughts of the departure of senior tailback Clarence Farmer still fresh at practice on Wednesday, the person left most in the dust was his heir apparent, Mike Bell.

After coming off the best game of his career, the redshirt sophomore from Phoenix knows that the workload will rest mainly on his shoulders for the conclusion of Arizona's tumultuous season.

"I have to focus (now)," Bell said. "I've got to remember that this is just going to be me and (redshirt sophomore tailback) Gainus (Scott), so I know I'll be taking most of the load, so I'll have to stay in the game and keep my composure and just stay calm."

Bell finished last week's loss to California with 182 yards on just 19 carries, an eyelash shy of 10 yards a carry.

This Saturday, Arizona faces an Oregon State team ranked 11th nationally in run defense - something Bell says is just another hurdle to jump over in such a controversial year.

"Any team is susceptible, so I'm more confident (that) the coaches come up with great schemes," Bell said. "I believe we can do anything against (Oregon State)."

Tuesday's announcement that Farmer was suspended is a blow for the Wildcats on and off the field.

Farmer was known for being a vocal senior leader on the team and seemed to have a new lease on his Wildcat life after the firing of John Mackovic in September.

"Clarence's loss is going to be big, but we have to move on and we have to get better," Bell said. "(We lost his) experience, his excitement, (and) leadership."

Bell believes that even with the loss of Farmer, the running game has improved tremendously and will only continue to do so Saturday against the Beavers.

"They have been emphasizing running down field and I've been taking that to heart because I know that's a necessity these days," Bell said of practice this week. "You can't be dancing in the backfield so (I'll) try to hit the holes as hard as possible."

Though Farmer is out of the equation, Bell was sympathetic and wished the best for the former All-American pick.

"He was a good player," Bell said. "I'm kind of upset (because) he had a good career ahead of him, and I hate to see him gone."