By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 1, 1997

Jenkins takes over at QB

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Redshirt freshmen Ortege Jenkins (16) hands off to freshman running back Jay Hinton (23) during the Wildcats' practice yesterday. Should quarterback Keith Smith be unable to play in Saturday's game as a result of a shoulder injury, Jenkins will fill in against San Diego State.

With a strong possibility that Keith Smith's shoulder will not be ready for Saturday's game against San Diego State, redshirt freshman Ortege Jenkins has been moved up over the course of four games from third on the depth chart to starting quarterback.

Despite his inexperience, UA head coach Dick Tomey is not concerned.

"I think O.J. will be fine," Tomey said. "Sunday night (practice) I was really impressed with what he did on the field and I was really impressed Saturday (against UCLA) what he did on the field."

To help the 6-foot-2, 218 pound Jenkins along in his progress, Tomey has trimmed some of the plays from this weekend's play book.

"We just try to do the things that he seems to have the most confidence in," Tomey said.

Offensive coordinator Homer Smith was upbeat after last night's practice.

"O.J. ran more plays tonight than he has in his life," he said. "He took every rep at quarterback and improved markedly."

Senior captain Rodney Williams, making the move from wide receiver, is Jenkins backup. Smith said that Jenkins is the No. 1 guy and was quarterback all day in yesterday's practice, while Williams will get most of the attention today.

Keith Smith didn't practice at all yesterday and watched in shorts and a cut-off T-shirt. Smith's progress is day-to-day, but the feeling from the coaches is that he won't play.

"He can raise he arm above his head today," Tomey said. "We are just going to have to assume that O.J. will play. I really have no idea, this is not something they can predict. If he plays at all then it would be spot duty at best."

Throughout the hoopla surrounding Smith's injury, Jenkins has remained positive, despite the fact that he is stepping in with no real experience.

"I am comfortable with the offense and coach Smith is only getting me more familiar," Jenkins said.

Nick Fluery, a 6-2, 190-pound freshman from San Rafael, Calif. is third on the depth chart. Fluery is expected to redshirt this season unless he is thrust into the lineup from a string of injuries.

Keith Smith has never missed a game due to injury in his career, even dating back to junior high. However, at this point it is apparent that he won't play Saturday.

"O.J. is our quarterback, that is how I am treating practice," Homer Smith said. "Keith is getting better and it really is not my place to comment on his condition, but at this point we have to prepare with O.J. like he is the man."

Tomey doesn't think heat is on him

Faced with the question that some of the focus has come down on him and not the team in light of the 1-3 start, Tomey said that it was not even an issue.

"To me, the focus is always on the team," Tomey said. "The focus is on the team and the performance of the team."

Tomey said his troops feel the same way.

"For the players, their focus is on the team. It's on us improving, on us growing, its on our performance. All of us."

Tomey further suggested that the focus be placed somewhere else.

"Hopefully, the focus is on seeing what this team can do," he said. "So far, we know what we have done, and that's not good enough. Let's just see what we can do."

McAlister's position still in limbo

After starting the first three games at cornerback, Arizona coaches had Chris McAlister start at the free safety position last week against UCLA. Tomey is not sure if McAlister will go back to the cornerback spot or if he will remain at free safety.

"We are taking a look at that," Tomey said. "We are going to leave the option open to do either. There are some compelling reasons to keep him at free safety and there are compelling reasons to have him at the corner."

McAlister's versatility will help Arizona in the secondary.

"If he plays corner, he can be a backup free safety because we really don't have a backup free safety," Tomey said.

The junior currently paces the Wildcats with three interceptions and is tied for fourth on the team in tackles.

Injury Update

Senior linebacker Jimmy Sprotte suffered a hip pointer against UCLA and is questionable for Saturday. Tomey said that DaShon Polk or Bradford Glover could see some playing time should Sprotte not be ready.

Missing action for the second straight week will be senior defensive end Mike Szlauko, who did not play against UCLA because of a torn calf muscle.

Senior back-up quarterback Brady Batten is said to still be four or five weeks away from recovering from a fractured left collarbone.