By Craig Degel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Richard Dice is back Ÿ almost.
The Arizona wide receiver will probably be medically cleared this week for Saturday's game against Oregon, but due to an NCAA violation, Dice will be suspended for the game.
"We are going to have some of the doctors check him out in practice and he should be cleared," UA head coach Dick Tomey said.
After an investigation, the NCAA found Dice violated rules by accepting a telephone debit card from a "runner" for California agent Robert Caron. Dice was suspended for one game by the NCAA, to be served the game after he had recovered from a knee injury, which he suffered during practice Oct. 10.
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At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Tomey said he was not happy with the coverage of the Wildcats' 14-9 victory over Oregon State.
"We're not going to apologize for anything," Tomey said after the media blasted the team for the degree to which it celebrated its win over the Beavers.
In its last 10 Pacific 10 Conference home games, Oregon State has lost eight, but the largest margin of victory in those games was 10 points.
The Beavers beat Arizona State and then-No. 15 Washington State during the stretch.
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With three more sacks, Tedy Bruschi can become the most prolific pass rusher in NCAA history. He is half a sack behind Derrick Thomas, who had 52 while playing for Alabama from 1985-88. Also, for the second consecutive year, Bruschi is a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy. His nomination marked the first time in history that one school has had a nominee for three straight years. All-American Rob Waldrop was a Lombardi finalist in '93.
"Whether or not he gets it is not going to change my opinion of him," Tomey said.
Should Bruschi get the award it will be the third year in a row that a UA player would be honored as the best at his position. Waldrop, a defensive lineman, was the Outland Trophy winner in '93 and kicker Steve McLaughlin was the Lou Groza Award winner in '94.
About his experience with Waldrop in '93, Tomey said, "I've been down there and believe me, winning it is great, but just being nominated and being there and going through all of the ceremonies with the other athletes is the best part of it."
UCLA offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, Ohio State offensive lineman Orlando Pace and Illinois linebacker Simeon Rice are the other finalists.
"Just to be included with those four guys is reward enough," Tomey said.
The award ceremony is Dec. 7 in Houston.
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Punt-team specialist Armon Williams, out for four weeks with a virus, may be cleared to play against Oregon on Saturday.
"We are going to get him some work in practice," Tomey said. "He's one of the best in college football at what he does."