Questions still linger with two days to go

Arizona head coach Dick Tomey showed mixed feelings yesterday in his first weekly press conference of the season. Though he did mention repeatedly both the players' and the coaches' excitement to start the 1997 campaign, Tomey did not downplay the need to be prepared.

"You think you're ready for the first game of the season and then, whoops, you're not," Tomey said. "There's always pressure to win the first game; if it is a league game, there is more. But pressure is part of football."

When the Wildcats travel to Eugene, Ore. to take on the Oregon Ducks this Thursday night, it will mark the first time Arizona has opened its season against a conference opponent on the road since 1988, when it defeated Oregon State 24-13.

"We haven't considered any other game. We're just focusing on this one," Tomey said. "We've gotten ahead in every game (against Oregon) and they've come back to beat us."

Last season's 49-31 loss in Eugene marked the Wildcats third loss to the Ducks in as many years. The game was highlighted by Oregon's Saladin McCullough rushing for 223 yards in 25 carries and five touchdowns. McCullough returns this year at starting tailback, but Tomey was quick to point out that errors in last year's game are easily correctable.

"Against him we missed a lot of tackles," Tomey said. "He did some great slipping and sliding. He is very deceptive. He doesn't look like he is running that fast, but he is."

While the Ducks have the running game secure, their quarterback situation is up in the air. Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said that even he does not know who will start yet. Bellotti will either go with 6-foot-3, 200 pound junior Jason Maas or Akili Smith, a 6-3, 226 junior college transfer. Neither has taken a snap in a Duck uniform.

"I won't know until we decide during pre-game warm-ups," Bellotti said. "The fans, the Arizona team, and our own team won't find out until we send them out to take the first snap."

Tomey said he won't alter his game plan to cater to the style of either quarterback,

"We haven't been on the field with either of them (Oregon's quarterbacks)," Tomey said.

"(Akili) is a good player. He is an outstanding thrower and runner.

"He is not unlike someone like a (former Oregon quarterback Tony) Graziani or an Ortege Jenkins."

Arizona has some questions of its own, starting with the lineup, which should see six sophomores in a starting role. The offensive line will receive strong contributions from eight different players as Arizona tries a develop a running game that has been largely ineffective in recent times.

Defensively, Marcus Bell and DaShon Polk have established themselves as every down players. Bell saw limited action at inside linebacker last season as well as special teams. Polk redshirted and should start at outside linebacker.

"Polk is one of the 11 best defenders on this team," Tomey said. "He really benefited from his redshirt year."

While many predictions and evaluations have been made about Thursday's game, Tomey said certain aspects cannot be analyzed.

"Adrenaline takes over the day of the game, and guys do things you didn't think they could do," Tomey said. "Both teams, both coaches, are going to be surprised with some of the things they find out about themselves."