Arizona's three interception returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter of its game against Illinois on Saturday was the most in Arizona history. The previous high was two, set in 1955 against Idaho. The national record was set by Houston when it swiped four from Texas in 1987. The Cougars had three returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter as well.

The Wildcats have seven interceptions this season - two by Chris McAlister, two by freshman Dennis Northcutt and one each by Mikal Smith, David Fipp and Chester Burnett. Arizona intercepted just six balls all of last season. McAlister is also tied with defensive end Mike Szlauko for the lead in sacks with two.

"At every position we are learning and we're getting better," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "I think our cornerbacks have done some really good things. But their biggest test is going to be in the conference because we haven't played against a good passing team yet."

The Wildcats lead the Pacific 10 Conference in pass efficiency defense, ranking 13th in the nation. Arizona finished first in the Pac-10 and 14th nationally in pass efficiency defense last season.

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Arizona's pass protection may be the reason the passing game hasn't quite clicked yet. The Wildcats were without Frank Middleton at left guard last week, but he should return. Arizona will also see a little shifting this week as 6-foot-2, 365-pound redshirt freshman Yusef Scott takes over the right guard position for David Watson.

"We had a couple of plays that it looked like we had guys open, but we were flushed out of the pocket and couldn't get them," Tomey said. "Those were due to breakdowns in protection. But I think we're getting better in that area and will continue to."

The Wildcats' blocking, however, certainly gave the UA's ground game a shot in the arm. Both tailback Gary Taylor and quarterback Keith Smith ran for 143 yards against Illinois, the first time two Wildcat players have hit the century mark in the same game since Ontiwaun Carter (101) and Billy Johnson (126) did it against Arizona State in 1993.

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The Wildcats have converted only 24 percent of their third downs this season, but have converted four of six fourth downs.

"The third-down conversion rate is a concern," Tomey said. "We still have a lot of room to improve. But I like the fact that we are improving."

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UA wide receiver Richard Dice underwent knee surgery after missing five games with a banged up knee last season, but is still the Wildcats' leading receiver despite limited time this year.

Tomey said the Wildcats have been working to get Dice back into shape, but the injury has slowed him so far.

"He's not in the kind of football shape everyone else is in," Tomey said. "We are trying to get him involved, but we are also trying to get him rest."

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