The Arizona Wildcats' offense combined for 597 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in today's spring game, held in front of 4,800 fans at Kino Stadium.
But a handful of costly turnovers marred what should have been a breakthrough performance. Taimi Tutogi and Ka'Deem Carey fumbled on the Wildcats' first two drives, and safety Marquis Flowers intercepted Richard Morrison's pass and returned it for about 40 yards. The Wildcats' offense was also penalized seven times for 50 yards.
First-year coach Rich Rodriguez said he was "really disappointed in the early part of the scrimmage."
"Early, it was not very good," he said. "The turnovers, the presnap penalties … we’re not going to be good enough to beat ourselves. Those are things that are correctable."
Quarterback Matt Scott looked capable in his first spring game as Arizona's expected starter, completing 22 of 35 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Walk-on Johnny Jackson led the Wildcats with five catches for 90 yards. Morrison, doubling as a wide receiver, had five grabs for 75 yards and two scores. Tyler Slavin (5 catches, 51 yards) had a team-best three touchdowns.
Arizona's running backs combined to post 152 yards on 43 carries. Tutogi led the way, gaining 41 yards on two carries. Daniel Jenkins, who was not expected to play because of a hamstring injury, gained 25 yards on five carries and scored a touchdown. Carey, Kylan Butler and Jared Baker all scored touchdowns.
Defensively, Arizona was led by a trio of tacklers: Tra'Mayne Bondurant, Jake Fischer and Jared Tevis registered five tackles apiece.
Read more in Sunday's Arizona's Daily Star.
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