Arizona Daily Wildcat Online
sections
Front Page
News
Opinions
· Columnists
Sports
· Men's Hoops
Go Wild
Live Culture
Police Beat
Datebook
Comics
Crossword
Special Sections
Photo Spreads
Classifieds
The Wildcat
Letter to the Editor
Wildcat Staff
Search
Archives
Job Openings
Advertising Info
Student Media
Arizona Student Media Info
UATV -
Student TV
 
KAMP -
Student Radio
The Desert Yearbook
Daily Wildcat Staff Alumni

Spring Football Notes: Health a priority for football


Photo
KEVIN B. KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Junior quarterback Adam Austin takes aim during a practice scrimmage April 16 at Arizona Stadium. Head coach Mike Stoops said he was pleased with the progress made by the Wildcats this spring.
By Kyle Kensing
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Print this

The Arizona football team moves into its next phase of preparing for the 2005 season, as team workouts ended Saturday with the annual Spring Game at Arizona Stadium.

Stoops said the 15-practice spring schedule allowed by the NCAA was important for setting a solid foundation and outlining the squad's strengths and weaknesses before it returns to the field in June.

"It was good work. We still need to be more physical at the point of attack in some areas. That's what we'll concentrate on in the summer," he said.

Stoops said Arizona's top priority was maintaining its collective health, and that, for the most part, the goal was met.

"Overall, we got out of the spring uninjured," he said.

The Wildcats did not come away completely unscathed, however.

Linebacker Spencer Larsen suffered a knee injury that required surgery and is expected to miss six months. He could return in September.

Safety Darrell Brooks, Arizona's top tackler in 2004, sat out the spring schedule because of shoulder pains, while back surgery sidelined quarterback Richard Kovalcheck.

Their injuries allowed other Wildcats to step into new roles.

Former walk-on Adam Austin manned the huddle in Kovalcheck's absence and earned the coaching staff's praise.

Stoops said Austin is the first quarterback he has seen who took every snap over a period as long as the team's spring workout schedule.

A group of newcomers, including redshirt freshmen

linebackers Ronnie Palmer and Brandon Lopez, used the practices as a springboard into contributing roles.

Junior college transfer B.J. Vickers turned heads as a wide receiver. Cornerback Wilrey Fontenot said Vickers' presence not only improved the receiving corps, but also forced the defensive secondary to elevate its performance.

Overall, Stoops said, the offense and defense showed balance over the four-week season.

"Our kids competed well throughout the spring. They went back and forth," he said.

"We have to pick up our strength on a daily basis to compete," he said. "We have to play at a certain speed. We're not quite there yet. But we're learning to play faster as a team."



Write a Letter to the Editor
articles
Vaulters fly into Pac-10s
divider
Commentary: NBA draft limit a good idea
divider
Spring Football Notes: Health a priority for football
divider
Men's golf team sixth at Pac-10s
divider
Restaurant and Bar Guide
Housing Guide
Search for:
advanced search Archives

NEWS | SPORTS | OPINIONS | GO WILD
CLASSIFIEDS | ARCHIVES | CONTACT US | SEARCH



Webmaster - webmaster@wildcat.arizona.edu
© Copyright 2005 - The Arizona Daily Wildcat - Arizona Student Media