For those of you who weren’t aware this weekend is family weekend. For many of you that means cancelling your party weekend (the horror), hiding all the goodies and merchandise you bursared to your account (yes mom my math book was THAT expensive and don’t worry about where that iPad came from), or cleaning up your dorm for the first time since school started (seriously, how does a space so small get so dirty so quickly?) For my parents, myself, and over 40,000 of our closest friends, family weekend also means football. Its tradition for U of A to schedule family weekend the same weekend as a home football game.
This year the tradition lives on and the cats will be going head to head in Arizona Stadium with fellow Pac-12 team, the Oregon Ducks. Almost a year ago the cats suffered a 29-48 loss to Oregon and circumstances point out that this next meeting may be no more satisfactory. Oregon possesses two of the fastest guys in the game in the form of LaMichael James and De’Anthony Thomas.
James, a junior running back, was a top 3 Heisman Trophy finalist for the 2010 season as a sophomore and ran for 204 yards, including a 90 yard dash last week against Missouri State. James splits the Oregon running game with freshman teammate De’Anthony Thomas. 18-year-old Thomas is considered to be the next Reggie Bush (since Oregon lost the real one to USC). In Oregon’s match up against Missouri State Thomas ran for 100 yards in the first quarter alone.
The Cats will also be coming off of an embarrassing 0-2 losing streak to both Oklahoma State and Stanford. Last weekend the Cats took to the home field and were crushed by the cardinals with a score of 10-37. I would like to take this time to say something. And I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say this. Just one game this year I would like to see someone actually kick a successful field goal. Seriously I forgot what a made field goal looks like can someone please remind me? New, junior college recruit, Jaime Salazaar, missed one field goal as the second quarter dwindled away leaving the cats trailing at halftime 16-10. At the opening of the second half, wildcat’s offense put in work and again put Salazaar in scoring position but the new kicker couldn’t capitalize. With two missed back-to-back kicks the cats missed out on an opportunity to tie the game and revv up some momentum. The game continued in dismal fashion that I’m not going to recap because I would hate to pour salt on the wounds. However, the cats will be welcoming back to the field senior kicker, Alex Zendejas.
Every aspect of the cat’s game, including toe-game, is going to have to be on point to compete against number 10 Oregon. Despite QB Fole’s lackluster game last Saturday Juron Criner came back from his appendectomy with 6 snags for 48 yards and (the) one touchdown. We can all breathe a little easier with the reappearance of the senior receiver. (Not to mention he’s so pretty to look at). Though Fole’s didn’t play bad last weekend we all know has so much more to offer and there is no time like the present for him to prove us right. As for the many youngsters on the team, let’s hope the last two games against top ten teams toughened them up a little bit. (Or a lot-a-bit)
Everyone grab your family and get to the game Saturday. With all the parents here I’m sure there will be an array of fanny packs and umbrella hats that you’re not going to want to miss (or is that just my parents?). Regardless, lets show some spirit and cheer on the cats. And please ZonaZoo, cheer loudly, I’ve got a ten-dollar bet for an Arizona upset, but I absolutely don’t have ten dollars.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Arizona chapter.