By Scottie Bricker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 13, 1997

Smith, Jenkins want wins, not controversy

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat UA quarterbacks Keith Smith, left, and Ortege Jenkins (16) joke around after practice last night. Smith will continue to backup Jenkins and will find time at wide receiver, a situation that both players are handling well.

The recent emergence of redshirt freshman Ortege Jenkins as the starting quarterback has left some wondering as to where sophomore quarterback Keith Smith fits into the picture.

Arizona head coach Dick Tomey maintains that Smith's role as a jack-of-all-trades will not change.

"We want to give Keith a chance to impact the game as much as he can," Tomey said.

Smith said he just wants to do whatever he can to contribute to the team.

"More than anything we need to keep winning games," Smith said. "Whatever O.J. and I can do to help this team win is most important."

A big smile appeared on Jenkins face when asked about he and Smith playing together.

"I just want to touch the ball," Jenkins said. "I'll throw it, he'll catch it, I'll run, whatever. We just do whatever is best for the team."

Smith's impact thus far has been limited, in part due to the difficulty in switching from quarterback to wide receiver/running back.

"I think that he is finding out that it is more difficult than he thought it was," Tomey said. "He understands the concepts because he has been on the other side, but he needs to learn the concepts."

Smith admits that he is bit unsure of some of the routes he is given but maintains that he will do whatever it takes to help the team out.

"I really feel like I can help this team out in so many different ways," Smith said. "I don't want to look ahead, but just do what I can right now."

Smith is especially anxious for the rematch against the Golden Bears after last year's 56-55 quadruple-overtime loss in Berkeley, Calif. In that game, Smith set a school and NCAA-freshman record with 502 yards in total offense, including 418 yards and five touchdowns through the air.

"This Cal game is make or break for us. It is such a big game," Smith said. "We should've won last year and we've got to get them back."

Injuries, injuries, injuries

The recovery room may be inhabited by fewer occupants this week as the Wildcats hope to have the majority of their wounded back in battle.

Wildcat head coach Dick Tomey said his team's health is improving, especially that of running back Trung Canidate, who practiced yesterday, but he is not 100 percent sure whether all of his injured players will be back in action.

"We hope to have most of them back," Tomey said. "I think that (Canidate) will have a chance this week. We will have to wait and see how he handles practice, but we are more optimistic with him than we were a week ago."

The Wildcats have suffered through injuries to key players since the beginning of the season. Wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel chose to redshirt this season to nurse a hamstring injury, defensive end Mike Szlauko is out for the season with a back injury that may have ended his UA career, and punter Ryan Springston returned last week from a knee injury only to suffer a separated shoulder in Saturday's win over Oregon State. He is out for this week's game. Snapper Dale Whitmore is also gone for the season with a knee injury.

Quarterbacks Keith Smith and Brady Batten have recently returned from shoulder and collarbone injuries, respectively, and tackle Ryan Turley has been out the last three games with ankle injuries. Defensive tackle Jimmy Sprotte also missed the OSU game with a knee injury . His status for Saturday is unknown.

Freshman to get true test

Freshman long snapper Nate Campbell will get thrust into the spotlight this weekend, starting for the injured Dale Whitmore. Campbell handled one snap in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game after Makai Freitas muffed two snaps, one on an extra point and another on a field goal attempt.

Tomey said Campbell is nervous but is handling it fine for now.

"He is doing okay, but he will be wetting his pants Saturday night," Tomey said. "The only person who will know how excited he is will be him and the laundry man."