By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 5, 1997

Football injuries require changes in defense

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat The offensive and defensive lines lunge towards each other as the ball is snapped during last night's practice. Two defensive starters, Mike Szlauko and Jimmy Sprotte, are doubtful for Saturday's Homecoming game against Oregon State.

With seniors Mike Szlauko and Jimmy Sprotte doubtful for Saturday's game against Oregon State, UA head coach Dick Tomey is going to make a few changes in order to compensate for the loss of two cornerstones of the Wildcat defense.

"DaShon Polk will play the 'flex' linebacker because we are not sure about Jimmy Sprotte's availability," Tomey said. "We are hoping that he will be available, but we are not sure."

Sprotte injured his knee in the first half of the 35-34 overtime loss to Washington State and did not return to action. Sprotte, who started as inside linebacker last season, has 31 tackles on the year, 10 of which are for losses.

Polk, who has played most of the season as an outside linebacker, will play the 'flex' linebacker position - UA's unique linebacker spot that lines up on the line of scrimmage at times and moves according to the offensive set.

Also seeing more significant time is freshman Joe Tafoya.

"Tafoya is going to play defensive end," Tomey said. "He will start with the first group at defensive end."

Tafoya has recorded only 11 tackles this year, but three of those have been sacks for a loss of 18 yards. At last night's practice, Polk and Tafoya were taking most of the snaps with the first team defense, with Idris Haroon also seeing time at defensive end.

Quickness

When it comes to sophomore Stadford Glover's move up the depth chart, there seems to be a recurring theme why.

"Quickness," Tomey said. "He has great quickness. He has more of the kind of quickness that it takes to play that position than anyone else we have."

Glover plays the "stud" position on defense, a place that has featured former Wildcat Tedy Bruschi, and senior Mike Szlauko before his injury.

"Stadford just has more quickness coming off the edge than anybody we have," Tomey said. "He is not as big as Mike, but he is very, very quick."

Smith to see more action

Sophomore quarterback/receiver Keith Smith is expected to play a major role in Saturday's contest after fully recovering from the shoulder sprain he suffered against UCLA and the ankle injury sustained against Washington.

"Keith Smith is finally ready to go," Tomey said. "He has not been really ready to go much at all, but he feels real good."

As far as where in the offense Smith will be, that could be a surprise.

"Keith is taking repetitions at receiver and will continue to get snaps at quarterback," Tomey said. "We will try to use Keith a little bit at quarterback. If he is ready physically, he will play a major role in this game."

Tomey said that he may put Smith in for redshirt freshman Ortege Jenkins when Jenkins needs a break.

"We will see how it goes," Tomey said. "If O.J. hits a home run every time up, we won't do that. Sometimes a guy just needs to take a look at the game from the sidelines to see what is going on."

Of the limited snaps Smith took last night, most consisted of running the option or quarterback draw, while Jenkins took care of the passing plays.

Although Smith lost his starting spot to Jenkins, Tomey is still willing to give Smith the ball in critical situations.

"He is someone I have a lot of confidence in," Tomey said.

Szlauko Update

As for Szlauko, his chances of playing against the Beavers look slim.

"I am just concerned about Mike now," Tomey said. "I talked to Mike this morning and he still has pain when he sits down, still has pain when he walks around."

A return will not be rushed for Szlauko, who injured his back against Washington and did not make the Washington State trip.

"We are just trying to get him pain-free," Tomey said. "He has been to six different doctors. He is just getting different opinions."

Although hampered by injuries all year, Szlauko leads all Wildcats with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss and is among the conference leaders in both categories.