By Patrick Klein
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Ontiwaun Carter is the last of the late summer movie hits.
Unable to participate in Camp Cochise or the scrimmages that preceded Arizona's opener against Georgia Tech because of a shoulder injury, the UA senior running back had no game film of himself to study in order to see what areas of his game needed improvement.
Not until after the Tech game, in which Carter fumbled three times while rushing for 151 yards, was he able to finally see himself on the big screen.
That premiere made a world of difference, said Carter, who moved into third place on Arizona's all-time leading rusher list with 2,594 yards after his 16-carry, 149-yard, two-touchdown performance against New Mexico State Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.
"Looking at the film, I was doing a lot of things that were careless last week," Carter said. "If I would of had that scrimmage time at Cochise or maybe the scrimmages in the stadium, that would have helped me.
After his "scrimmage" against Tech, Carter felt more at ease on the field Saturday.
"I feel that last week's game against Georgia Tech was like a scrimmage game for me," he said. "Once I watched the plays we ran, I felt a whole lot better because I knew exactly where the plays were going to be. I took my time and let my talent take me from there."
After his three fumbles last week, Carter was motivated to prove that he was not fumble prone.
"A few people think that great runners just can't fumble," Carter said. "It's been done, and I can bounce back from that, and I proved that today."
Carter was the featured back on Arizona's first two scoring drives Saturday, carrying the ball 10 times for 48 yards. In the first half, he amassed 131 yards on 16 carries and scored both touchdowns.
"Basically that was to get me into my role and to let me know that the coaches are behind me one-hundred percent, and feel that I'm still the man," Carter said about his first-half opportunities. "As long as we can have that communication and they have that trust in me, I'll go out there and perform well."
Carter, who has rushed for 300 yards in two games, has the complete confidence of coach Dick Tomey.
"I think Carter's an outstanding running back," Tomey said. "He's been unappreciated the last two years. As soon as he has an uncharacteristic game, people are quick to point the finger at him. I think we need to believe what we are seeing."
His biggest burst Saturday came on a 45-yard explosion in the second quarter. Starting to his left, he crossed the line of scrimmage, cut back sharply to his right and streaked up the sideline. When his defender finally got an angle on him, Carter dropped his shoulder and drove into him.
"It was just something I saw," Carter explained. "Just instinct. ... The guy had a great angle, but I want to get to them before they get to me. I almost shed him. Maybe next time it will be one of those things where I bounce off and keep going."