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SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat
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UA senior defensive back Gary Love makes a tackle against UTEP on Saturday. The Wildcats finished nearly injury-free against the Miners.
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By Charles Renning
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday September 3, 2003
Very little of the Wildcats' 42-7 win over Texas - El Paso Saturday resembled the 2002 season, and injuries were no exception. Arizona was hit hard by the injury bug last year, but the team started off the 2003 season with no major injuries after the first contest.
Senior running back Clarence Farmer, who was sidelined with knee problems for most of 2002, was helped off the field with a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for this Saturday against Louisiana State, as are senior cornerback Gary Love and freshman running back Chris Henry.
Junior guard Tom Robinson was also hurt but is listed as probable with a minor shoulder injury.
Some good news on the injury front was the upgrade of junior linebacker Kirk Johnson, who was sidelined with a knee injury in fall camp. Johnson has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday.
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UP NEXT
Who: Arizona vs. LSU
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Arizona Stadium
Cost: $7 or free with Zona Zoo pass
TV: TBS Superstation
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Head coach John Mackovic said he doesn't expect Johnson to play this week, but didn't rule out the possibility.
"We're going to see if he can work out and do a couple things," Mackovic said. "I think he can be ready next week, but there is a chance he can be ready this week."
All three running backs that took the majority of the Wildcats' carries last week were helped off the field. Because of a possible shortage of talent at the position, Mackovic said the team would "cross-train" sophomore fullbacks Gilbert Harris and Sean Jones.
Arizona will also be aided in the backfield by the return of sophomore running back Beau Carr. Carr was eligible to play in the first game but did not dress, as Mackovic chose to hold him out of the game. He missed the team's entire fall camp while taking care of some academic issues.
The quarterback position isn't the only one that is being filled by two players. Much like last season, senior James Molina and sophomore Danny Baugher split punting duties against UTEP.
Mackovic said they would continue to punt by the "bullpen" and use different punters in different situations.
Each punter had three punts in the Wildcats' win. Molina averaged 43 yards a kick, including a 52-yard blast. Baugher averaged 35 yards per punt.
"Those guys just must enjoy each other's company," Mackovic said. "It's all right as long as we get the job done."
