Quarterbacks OK with whoever starts against ASU

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Quarterback Keith Smith (12) lets one fly as the Cal defense approaches rapidly. Smith replaced starting QB Ortege Jenkins after he had a slow start Saturday to throw for three touchdowns. For now Jenkins is keeping his starting job, according to Smith.

Smith was quick to put all talk to rest following the game, however, saying his job is still to backup redshirt freshman Ortege Jenkins.

"O.J is the guy right now," said Smith, who started all but two games last season. "I'm a receiver. I took reps at receiver all last week."

This does not mean that Smith will spend all his time as a wideout.

"If they do need me, though, hopefully I can come in and do the same type of job," he said.

Smith, who came in for Jenkins after he got off to a slow start, completed 17 of 27 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, equaling his season total in touchdown passes. He also showed that he is still deadly running the ball, rushing 11 times for 62 yards, second only to tailback Trung Canidate's 98 yards in the game.

UA head coach Dick Tomey is not about to leak any word as to who will start against the Sun Devils.

"It's not productive for us to say that," Tomey said. "It is in our best interests not to disclose that. We have two good quarterbacks and I am sure both will play. Whoever plays first is not an issue."

Regardless of who takes the first snap on Nov. 28 in Tempe, Tomey said that he has just been pleased to watch Jenkins and Smith work together.

"The great thing is to watch those two support each other," Tomey said. "They root for each other and get excited about their good plays, and that is excellent."

No more trash talking

Although the Cal-Arizona game was similar to last year's contest, Tomey is doing everything possible to make sure that there isn't any deja vu with Arizona State.

"I thought last year's game was embarrassing for both schools, both teams, the fans, and how it finished," Tomey said.

"I think that it was as close to a riot that I have ever seen and would have been the most embarrassing thing in the history of the state of Arizona sports."

Last year's contest, which the Sun Devils won 56-14 at Arizona Stadium, was full of fights, on and off the field, and a lot of trash talking, before the game in newspapers and during the contest. One player from each team was ejected late in the game for unsportsmanlike behavior and ASU fans tried to bring down the goal posts at the conclusion.

Tomey has closed practice for the rest of the year, not allowing his players to talk to the media in hopes that the trash talk will cease.

"I think we need to restore the respect for each other and understand that we can compete at the highest level, compete intensely, do all the things that we want to do without all the trash talk before and extracurricular activity in and out of the stands," he said.

Tomey acknowledges how big this game is, with Rose Bowl hopes on the line for ASU and feelings still hurt from last year's blowout.

"There is no one that we would like to beat more than them," Tomey said. "There is no win that feels as good as a win against them, but we have great respect for what they have accomplished this past year."