By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 22, 1997

Tomey sleeps easier with Eafon in the game

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Running Back Kevin Eafon(38) gains yardage in Saturday's football game against Washington. Eafon rushed for 140 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns against the Husky defense.

Although Washington's 58-28 victory over Arizona last weekend was nothing short of a nightmare, players like Kelvin Eafon are helping UA head coach Dick Tomey get a good night's rest.

"He is someone that helps you sleep better at night," Tomey said.

Filling in for the injured Trung Canidate, Eafon rushed for 140 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns against a stingy Husky defense.

In Tomey's eyes, Eafon would still have been a contributor even if he had never carried the ball.

"He is not a prima donna," Tomey said. "He blocks when asked to block and is just as happy to see others carry the ball than him. He is a great example."

With the promise he has shown, it's easy to wonder how much better he would have been if he had not played basketball for the Wildcats his first two years.

"He would be considerably ahead," Tomey said. "But, he wouldn't be any different of a competitor and leader. He leads by performance."

Tomey said he was impressed with how well Eafon has returned to the game after his two-year break.

"After not having played, it is amazing how tough he is," Tomey said.

Canidate, a sophomore tailback and the Wildcat's leading rusher, is listed as probable for the Washington State game. But Tomey continues to be careful with his star running back. He will not insert Canidate into the lineup until he is 100 percent healthy.

"A guy with an ankle injury can go half speed, but he will remain at half speed all year," Tomey said.

Tomey probable for Saturday

The circle drill that the Wildcats' installed before the game and at halftime may be a way to fire up the team, but it might have done a number on Tomey's back.

Tomey, who likes to get into the middle of the action, strained his back Saturday and believes that it might have been from the circle drill.

"I got bounced around," Tomey said. "I was probably hitting one of those big guys and my back moved and I didn't."

Tomey is expected to be on the sidelines in Pullman, and although Arizona will continue to do the circle drill, Tomey may be a little more careful before he enters the ring.