Defensive line looking to erase demons of 97

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat UA defensive lineman Keoni Fraser (56) follows up on linebacker DaShon Polk's (31) sack of Iowa quarterback Kyle McCann (4) during Arizona's 35-11 victory Sept. 19. As of yesterday, UA football was ranked No. 10 in the nation by the Associated Press.

Guys such as Rob Waldrop and Tedy Bruschi have led this history of great defensive linemen.

For this season, the task has fallen into the hands of two freshmen, Eli Wnek and Keoni Fraser, plus sophomore Joe Tafoya and senior Daniel Greer. Also in the mix are sophomore Anthony Thomas and junior James Lewis.

"That's pretty young right there," said Marty Long, UA's defensive line coach. "They are steadily getting better but we always tell them youth is no excuse and we expect them to continue the Arizona tradition at this position."

Last week, the defensive line took a big step in reaching that standard by handling and eventually injuring Washington junior quarterback Brock Huard.

This week the job is even tougher as they face UCLA senior Heisman candidate quarterback Cade McNown.

"I think he has only been sacked once this year," Long said. "We'll just play our reckless stuff up front. Our goal is to try and get to him and sack him, but if we can't, we want to hit him as many times as we can."

Through the first five weeks, Greer and Wnek lead the defensive line in tackles with 18 apiece. Greer has also added two sacks.

"Daniel is the senior-most player of the guys but I am not sure he is the leader of the group. DaShon Polk controls all of the front." Long said. "Eli is a guy that is right a lot of the time and a good football player knows that, in order for him to stay on the field, he has to be right."

Last year, in UCLA's 40-27 victory over Arizona in Pasadena, the Wildcat defense could not control McNown and former Bruin running back Skip Hicks.

Hicks rushed for 118 yards and all four Bruin touchdowns on 28 carries. McNown threw for 265 yards on 18 of 24 passing.

Part of the reason Hicks and McNown were so successful in that game was because of their offensive line.

This year will be no different as UCLA has three third year starters that will all be dressed, ready to hit and primed to protect their quarterback Saturday night.

"Last year is last year, but the running back is not going to make plays without those guys making holes," McNown said.

Wnek, who did not play in last year's loss to the Bruins, said in order to stop McNown, the Wildcats will have to win the game in the trenches.

"It is a war and you just have to keep going, going and going. Hopefully sometimes you can sneak up and hit the guy," Wnek said. "It is going to be a big challenge and we are going to have to get pressure on him."

Long and Wnek both feel that the group has not yet met the standards that past Arizona defensive lines have set, but with a 5-0 record, one doesn't hear much complaining.

"It's a challenge every game, it is one of those things that humbles you," Wnek said. "We just have to strive to get better."

Dan Rosen can be reached via e-mail at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.