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Jenkins excited about team's new look

The "new look" UA football team will showcase includes not only new starters but a new uniform style. The Arizona equipment department have ushered in a new, "bat-wing" design for the 2000 season.

The uniforms will feature the school's block A logo on the sleeve and sleek jersey tailoring.

According to head coach Dick Tomey, the changes were a long time coming.

"I love them," he said. "They're tremendous looking. Some fans won't recognize the difference, but the players love them."

Senior quarterback Ortege Jenkins welcomes the change.

"I like the new jerseys," he said. "It's a nice look."

One change that Jenkins is glad to see end is his stint as a wide receiver.

Will Wildcat faithful see Jenkins as a wide receiver in the year 2000? Not if Jenkins has his way.

"Anyone who saw me play receiver and quarterback knows which position I'm supposed to play," he said. "I did what it took to become a quarterback in this league - I've established myself."

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In an interview a week ago, head coach Dick Tomey talked about the positive and negative effects of hype, specifically the type that is given a team prior to a season.

"If hype is earned, it's okay with me," he said. "We were overrated last year."

Jenkins agreed with Tomey's statements.

"I look at the season (with) two things (in mind)," he said. "(First), the hype can come back and bite you in the butt. (Secondly,) It's another year. I'm excited about the season."

Last season, the team was ranked as high as fourth in the country prior to the season. The team, admittedly overrated, finished the season with a disappointing 6-6 record and failed to make a bowl game.

This season, Tomey will have to endure a different type of publicity - the hype associated with the play of his senior quarterback.

"Publicity is like poison," Tomey said. "It doesn't hurt you unless you swallow it. As long as O.J. doesn't start buying into it, he'll be fine."

Jenkins admitted that following in the footsteps of Keith Smith, Marcus Bell, Trung Canidate and Dennis Northcutt won't be easy.

"Look at last year," he said. "We had the best linebacking combination, running back and wide receiver in school history. Some say we even had the best two quarterbacks in school history."

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Jenkins admitted that he has been pleasantly surprised with the play of his offensive line this spring.

"The offensive line has been playing really well this spring," he said. "The key to any winning team is its o-line."

Despite injuries to center Bruce Wiggins and tackle Marques McFadden late in the session, Tomey believes that the play of the line has been a major boon to the Wildcat team this spring.

"They've done some good things," he said. "We lost three guys the other day, the guys have really responded."

Tomey notes the high level of intensity in the spring practices as the reason for the injuries.

"Spring is a lot of hard work," he said. "There's more hitting than there is in early fall."

Both Jenkins and Tomey agree on the importance of the play of the line for a successful team.

"Nobody's good enough to be able to get along without a great offensive line," Tomey said.