Canidate rushes ahead of the pack

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior running back Trung Canidate (30) breaks an Oregon tackle last Saturday at Arizona Stadium. Canidate was named Pac-10 Offensive player of the week for his 180 yards against Oregon.

He rushed for 180 yards and had a 71-yard touchdown run on 17 carries for the No. 10-ranked Wildcats (8-1 overall, 4-1 Pac-10) in their 38-3 home victory last weekend against the No. 21 Oregon Ducks (7-2, 3-2), making him the perfect candidate to be the first UA running back honored with the weekly award.

With numbers like that, one would think Canidate has hit his prime on the field, but he said there is still more time for him to truly explode.

"Oh yeah, there is a whole bunch of room for improvement," he said. "It was a good game, a great game, but there are still items of the game to be capitalized on."

Canidate joined the Wildcats in 1995, redshirting as a tailback on the scout team, after graduating from Central High School in Phoenix. In high school, he earned three letters in football, two in basketball and four in track. He was listed the 96th best prospect in the Far West by Super Prep magazine. Canidate was also a Coaches Magazine All-American selection.

While Canidate's family thinks he is more of a "clown," his coaches have commented that there is a very mature side to him, Canidate said.

"I look at a lot of the issues involved in the game or situation," he said. "I ask 'why,' but also 'why not.'"

Canidate's eagerness to know and do all is evident in the way he reads each play before it develops.

"I try to read the linemen with each play," he said. "Then I react on them, I use my instinct to know when to turn on the acceleration and to know when I have room."

It was this split-second instinct that helped him recover a punt block for a touchdown in 1996 against the Cougars. After having to sit out the Washington State game last year due to a foot injury, Canidate is ready for the showdown Saturday.

"They're (WSU) 0-5 in the Pac-10 and looking to cause an upset," Canidate said. "They're going to be hungry for the win. So we got to come out and play Wildcat ball, we're hungry, too."

Canidate also seems to be hungry for a little bowl action.

"Well, like every athlete you look at the whole picture and what's ahead of you," he said. "But there are the little steps to be taken along the way. So right now looking at what's in front of me, (it's) Washington State."

Canidate is ready to walk onto the field and assume his position of leadership, and guide the team to its ninth victory.

"I know a lot of guys look up to me," he said. "So I have to go out there and do the best job that I can. I will keep trying to improve day-by-day. And I'm keeping my head focused."

Kate Longworth can be reached via e-mail at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.