Football
Well, the team is clearly far from perfect and a loss was bound to come. The fashion was a bit surprising considering it was the defense that looked poised and it was the offense that issues executing.
A big question now is: How will the Wildcats respond after their world has been nothing but positive for the last three weeks leading up to Saturday's loss?
* GOAZCATS.com stopped by practice Sunday night and the mood was considerably different. It wasn't a bunch of guys with their heads down and scowls on their faces, but it was a somber vibe with no music.
The defense was the only unit on the practice field early and the coaches like Jeff Casteel, Tony Gibson and the rest of the defensive staff trickled in soon after.
The next to appear was head coach Rich Rodriguez, who was not any different than any other week as he entered the gates. But still missing was the rest of the team and coaches.
Finally, about 10 minutes later than everyone else, Matt Scott, the rest of the offense and the special teams unit made their way over. Offensive coordinators Rod Smith and Calvin Magee followed right behind with receivers coach Tony Dews, all three talking the whole way. No bad vibes were visible from the walk-and-talk, just a staff that clearly knows there is work to be done.
Sifting through the postgame quotes from Saturday night, Rodriguez said the offense's struggles on finishing drives was as much on himself and the coaching staff as it was the players. Personally, I think he was just being generous and wanted to take some heat off his team. There is only so much a coaching staff can do before it ultimately falls on the players to punch it in the end zone or through the uprights, especially with six chances to do so.
But instead of joining together as a team for the routine pre-practice stretching to the music of the sound system, the defense split up into individual position groups and went through a light walkthrough as the team usually does on Sunday nights.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez had his receivers lined up and instructed them through the proper way to run routes, demonstrating how to make a hard stop when turning back for the ball to create some space between themselves and the opposing secondary. It was clear that was in issue Saturday, as the Ducks were seemingly in their jerseys and deflecting passes, making big hits or stepping in for interceptions all night. The routes were a bit too passive and lacked conviction for Rodriguez's liking.
And that's literally how the first few periods of practice went until our time was up and we headed back out the gates.
If anything, it's what this team needed after a game like that. It was a chance to revisit some basics and regroup.
* Appearance note: For the first time this season, the Wildcats reported to the practice field in just shorts, cleats and a sleeveless compression shirt with no jersey tops or helmets. The team never uses pads on Sundays, for those wondering.
It's not a huge deal or anything, but it was different and made for an interesting observation from the moment they started to head in for practice. The team basically took a physical toll on top of a late flight back, so everything was scaled back a bit including the attire.
If there was one thing noticeable because of what they were wearing, it really gave you an idea of who was in shape without a baggy jersey on. For example, a guy like Cayman Bundage is in really good physical condition.
* The general mood of the program right now is still fairly optimistic. Yes, the result was far from what they had in mind and they know the opportunities were there to make a competitive game out of it heading into the fourth quarter. That part still bugs them quite a bit.
But a 3-1 start to the season is still the type of progress they generally like, all things considered from where the team was entering fall camp. On top of it, the loss was to a team in Oregon that is now No. 2 in the nation and it came on the road. Present them with that scenario at the start of the season and the program would take it in an instant. The Ducks game basically is looked at like a free spin without much consequence.
This program has a good grasp on realistic expectations, even despite the 3-0 start and win over a top-25 opponent. As a bonus of sorts, now the Wildcats get the opportunity to bounce back in a big way, at least on paper. Nobody had Oregon State pegged for such a quick start to the season, and definitely not a No. 18 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Arizona will be back at home with an opportunity to add another win over a ranked program, and it does not matter to the team that the Beavers may not carry the same weight as an Oklahoma State.
The point is, it gives the team a focal point this week and a little extra juice going into the week of preparation when it seemed as if a 49-0 loss could not have possibly produced such a thing.
* Ah, yes, the game itself
There is no need to rehash the obvious, or numbers like the scoreless drives inside the red zone. So, on that note, here is what stood out from Saturday's game:
No. 22 Arizona at No. 3 Oregon: By the numbers
3 - Consecutive games with an interception for Jonathan McKnight
7 - Catches by Arizona's game-high receiver, which surprisingly turned out to be David Richards
13 - Points produced in Oregon's first nine drives, which extended into the first two offensive series of the second half
23 - Snaps inside the red zone by the Arizona offense without a score
49 - Still the most points a Jeff Casteel defense has allowed in his 11 seasons as a defensive coordinator. Last season, Syracuse topped West Virginia, 49-23
Basketball
* Despite the ongoing NCAA investigations into its program, UCLA is a preseason pick to win the Pac-12 Conference, according to widely respected Lindy's magazine. Arizona is not far off as the second-place pick.
Solomon Hill is the magazine's choice for preseason Pac-12 player of the year, and aside from the Bruins' roster it comes down to whether the Wildcats can make the leap with Mark Lyons a bit out of his element at running the point guard - although, it still remains to be seen just how much Lyons truly plays the position.
For an idea on who UA's top freshman may be, Grant Jerrett received enough respect as a second-team all-conference preseason pick by the magazine, which was compiled by the guidance on respected college basketball writer and good friend of GOAZCATS.com, Frank Burlison.
* Scheduling note: The Wildcats' Jan. 26 home contest against USC will be a 5 p.m. tipoff to accommodate ESPNU's broadcast.
* The retirement of Jim Calhoun at Connecticut earlier this month naturally brought up rumors over who is permanent replacement would be. Kevin Ollie signed a one-year, $625,000 contract to take over the program.
Because of the East Coast ties, Sean Miller's name popped up just because. But, look, Miller has something forming in Tucson and it makes zero sense for him to leave before even seeing through the work on what could be a national championship within the next two or three seasons.
* A preseason physical detected that Phoenix Suns forward and former UA standout Channing Frye has an enlarged heart, which will sideline him indefinitely and likely cause him to miss the entire upcoming NBA season.
Otherwise known as dilated cardiomyopathy, it is a condition that does not allow blood to be pumped properly and with as much force as a healthy heart.
Frye, who does not want to push it with his health and will require six months of rest, will be limited to yoga and playing golf as he sits out.
Since the news broke Thursday, Frye has remained positive and provided updates through his Facebook and Twitter accounts, openly taking questions from fans about his situation.
Los Angeles Clippers big man and former Gonzaga star Ronny Turiaf battled a similar situation a month after he was drafted into the league in 2005. Doctors found an enlarged aortic root in his heart, but Turiaf eventually returned to the NBA in early 2006 after undergoing open heart surgery and a rehabilitation stint in the CBA. So, Frye's condition, although serious, has been dealt with in the past and a return to basketball is certainly within reach.
And now with the latest in recruiting, here's the weekly breakdown from Matt Moreno
Arizona didn't get the win when it took a trip up to Eugene, Ore., over the weekend but that shouldn't a have a negative effect on the Wildcats' recruiting effort moving forward. Sure, a win would have been a big thing for the 'Cats when it comes to selling recruits on the program, but the staff will continue to recruit as it has been doing since it arrived in Tucson.
On the basketball side of things, the 'Cats have continued to stop by schools of recruits they want to check in on. Getting a chance to get out these schools is important to showing how they feel about certain recruits and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the prospects we've talked to lately.
With plenty to discuss this week, let's get right into it.
Football recruiting
As always during the high school football season, we will continue to keep you updated with how the current Wildcat recruiting class is doing during its final go-around in the high school ranks.
* Once again here are the notable performances of the weekend - and there were plenty of future 'Cats who played well this week.
Derek Babiash: The three-star cornerback from Poway, Calif., has had an impressive start to the season so far as he had collected an interception in each game of the young season already. Babiash continued to do his part Friday night as the Titans took on a tough team from Oceanside, Calif., but his effort on the defensive side of the ball wouldn't be enough in the team's fourth game of the year.
Poway ended up losing the contest 23-13 and fell to 2-2 on the year. The future Wildcat finished the game with an interception - his fifth of the season - and a blocked punt in the loss. Oceanside remained a perfect 4-0 on the year with its win.
Pierre Cormier and Lee Walker: A week after edging out their last opponent, the pair of Wildcat commits and their team from San Diego (Calif.) Madison took the field against San Diego (Calif.) Clairemont Friday night. Cormier and Walker's squad didn't have too much trouble in this one, however, as their squad came away with the 49-6 victory.
In the contest, Cormier racked up 83 yards on a team-high 10 carries to go along with a rushing touchdown. He added 11 yards on two receptions as well in the win.
Walker continued to be effective all over the field as the UA athlete commit led the team in receiving with 74 yards on four catches, with his longest reception coming on a 36-yard gain. He too scored a touchdown, but his came on a pass play.
2014 UA recruit Michael Garner led the team with two touchdowns in the win. He scored one touchdown on the ground and one touchdown on a reception.
Paul Elvira and Mauriece Lee: The pair of future Wildcats have had their team from Tempe (Ariz.) Marcos de Niza on a roll this season and they faced what could have been their last true test of the regular season Friday night. Things didn't end up in favor of Elvira and Lee for the first time this season as the Padres fell to Tucson (Ariz.) Ironwood Ridge 35-27 at home.
Elvira scored two touchdowns in the loss to go along with 163 yards receiving on the night. Meanwhile, Lee was held to negative yardage in the loss on just six carries, but he did score a touchdown in the defeat.
Ironwood Ridge moved to 5-0 on the year with the win.
Samajie Grant: Heading into Friday night's contest, the UA commit and his team from Ontario (Calif.) Colony had not picked up a win on the young season - going 0-4 to start the year. That changed Friday night as Grant was the key piece to his team getting its first win. The future Wildcat scored three rushing touchdowns on the evening to go along with 168 yards.
The result was an easy 42-13 win over Montclair, Calif.
Grant hurt Montclair with big runs as he had a 36-yard score as well as a 50-yard scamper just 90 seconds apart.
Zachary Green: Of the 25 UA commits in action Friday night, the toughest challenge belonged to the future Wildcat running back Friday night. Green and his previously undefeated squad from Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure had the tough task of taking on the RivalsHigh second-ranked team in the nation, Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita, but the result wasn't what many were expecting.
St. Bonaventure didn't get the win, but after traveling 100 miles the Seraphs more than held their own, and a big part of that was the play of Green. The future Wildcat scored three touchdowns in the 35-27 loss.
Green ran the ball 18 times for St. Bonaventure and he amassed 103 yards to go along with the scores. it was the first loss for St. Bonaventure this season in its five games.
DeAndre Miller: After getting out to a quick 4-0 start this season, the UA linebacker commit and his team from Buckeye (Ariz.) Buckeye Union picked up its first loss Friday night. Miller's squad fell to Yuma (Ariz.) Yuma Catholic 37-24 in their first home game since the end of August.
Miller gained five yards on two carries for the Hawks.
Nate Phillips: After a tough loss to Chandler, Ariz., last week, it was back to business as usual for the UA receiver commit Friday night against Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland. Phillips finished the 21-17 win as the leading receiver with nine catches for 95 yards for his team from Chandler (Ariz.) Basha.
Phillips wasn't one of the players who scored a touchdown in his team's win.
Anu Solomon: The Wildcats four-star quarterback commit got his team back on the winning track Friday night after falling for just the fourth time of his career at Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman last week. Solomon had a solid night as he finished the win by completing 19 of his 28 pass attempts for 256 yards and a touchdown.
He also had a rare turnover when he threw an interception. The dual-threat prospect added five carries for 11 yards in the win. One of those carries took Solomon into the end zone for a touchdown.
Bishop Gorman ended up taking the win over Anaheim (Calif.) Servite, 42-0.
Thomas Woodson: Another prospect who plays quarterback for his team, Woodson was able to get his team its fourth win of the year Friday night when Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway rolled to an easy 42-7 win.
Woodson had another big game as he finished the night by completing 13 of his 21 passes for 338 yards. He threw for three touchdowns in the big win. The UA commit added three runs for 22 yards.
Basketball recruiting
The Wildcats' staff has continued to get around to different schools to during the current recruiting cycle. Head coach Sean Miller and his staff have been all over the place, and the main focus for now is the 2014 class when it comes to checking out prospects. Recently, the coaching staff was able to get around to see a couple key recruits and both came away with a positive feeling about the experience.
* Four-star point guard prospect Jordan McLaughlin had UA assistant James Whitford stop by his school recently, and the Wildcats are just one of many programs who have checked out the Etiwanda, Calif., standout in the last couple of weeks.
"They have gone very well," McLaughlin told GOAZCATS.com last week about his workouts when coaches are present. "Those are all outstanding schools. It did give me a better visual perspective rather than talking on the phone all the time to someone I haven't seen."
After getting offered during the July evaluation period, the talk between McLaughlin and the staff has been about getting out to Tucson on an unofficial visit. The relationship between the nation's 35th-best prospect and the UA staff continues to grow as well.
"It has been good," the four-star prospect said of his relationship with Miller's staff. "We are trying to set up an unofficial visit some time coming up, but we haven't decided when yet."
McLaughlin doesn't plan on deciding any time soon about which school he will pick to play his college ball.
While Parker Jackson-Cartwright is also a high-profile target for the Wildcats in 2014, McLaughlin is another one who the staff wants to stay involved with. While UA still has some ground to make up on other programs with McLaughlin, the 'Cats should remain in the mix until the end with the talented four-star 2014 point guard.
* Another four-star prospect who the Wildcats hold in high regard is in-state recruit Dorian Pickens. The Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle standout picked up an offer from the 'Cats shortly after the July evaluation period and he has continued to build a relationship with the staff as well.
Miller himself stopped by Pinnacle to see an open-gym workout recently and Pickens sees that as a very positive sign when it comes to his recruitment.
"Coach Miller stopped by the other day and it went great," he said. "Me and him are really starting to build a good relationship, and we're definitely talking more often and just trying to get to know each other better."
With it being Miller who stopped by to see him rather than an assistant, the Rivals150 member said it sends a good sign about where he is on UA's list of priorities in the 2014 class.
"It definitely sends a good message," he told GOAZCATS.com last week. "It lets me know how serious they are about recruiting me and that I'm a guy who is high on their radar and the type of guy they want to play for them. So it's pretty huge for coach Miller to come by and watch an open gym."
Pickens has already been out to UA on an unofficial previously, but he hopes to make a return trip sometime soon as well.
"I will be getting out to Tucson probably within the next few months to catch a practice or something like that," he said. "Then I'll be taking some other unofficials later this year to some schools on the East Coast."
The talented wing prospect isn't planning on making his decision any time soon as his plan is to decide closer to his senior year.
While he is not a five-star prospect, Pickens is another prospect to keep an eye on down the line. Even though it was just a short trip to Phoenix, Miller stopping by to see Pickens shows where the wing recruit is on the list of priorities in 2014. Pickens is versatile in what he can do on the court, so getting a commitment from him is not something that would be surprising in the end.
However, it's still a long way from that point but it is certainly a recruitment to keep an eye on.[/B]
Well, the team is clearly far from perfect and a loss was bound to come. The fashion was a bit surprising considering it was the defense that looked poised and it was the offense that issues executing.
A big question now is: How will the Wildcats respond after their world has been nothing but positive for the last three weeks leading up to Saturday's loss?
* GOAZCATS.com stopped by practice Sunday night and the mood was considerably different. It wasn't a bunch of guys with their heads down and scowls on their faces, but it was a somber vibe with no music.
The defense was the only unit on the practice field early and the coaches like Jeff Casteel, Tony Gibson and the rest of the defensive staff trickled in soon after.
The next to appear was head coach Rich Rodriguez, who was not any different than any other week as he entered the gates. But still missing was the rest of the team and coaches.
Finally, about 10 minutes later than everyone else, Matt Scott, the rest of the offense and the special teams unit made their way over. Offensive coordinators Rod Smith and Calvin Magee followed right behind with receivers coach Tony Dews, all three talking the whole way. No bad vibes were visible from the walk-and-talk, just a staff that clearly knows there is work to be done.
Sifting through the postgame quotes from Saturday night, Rodriguez said the offense's struggles on finishing drives was as much on himself and the coaching staff as it was the players. Personally, I think he was just being generous and wanted to take some heat off his team. There is only so much a coaching staff can do before it ultimately falls on the players to punch it in the end zone or through the uprights, especially with six chances to do so.
But instead of joining together as a team for the routine pre-practice stretching to the music of the sound system, the defense split up into individual position groups and went through a light walkthrough as the team usually does on Sunday nights.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez had his receivers lined up and instructed them through the proper way to run routes, demonstrating how to make a hard stop when turning back for the ball to create some space between themselves and the opposing secondary. It was clear that was in issue Saturday, as the Ducks were seemingly in their jerseys and deflecting passes, making big hits or stepping in for interceptions all night. The routes were a bit too passive and lacked conviction for Rodriguez's liking.
And that's literally how the first few periods of practice went until our time was up and we headed back out the gates.
If anything, it's what this team needed after a game like that. It was a chance to revisit some basics and regroup.
* Appearance note: For the first time this season, the Wildcats reported to the practice field in just shorts, cleats and a sleeveless compression shirt with no jersey tops or helmets. The team never uses pads on Sundays, for those wondering.
It's not a huge deal or anything, but it was different and made for an interesting observation from the moment they started to head in for practice. The team basically took a physical toll on top of a late flight back, so everything was scaled back a bit including the attire.
If there was one thing noticeable because of what they were wearing, it really gave you an idea of who was in shape without a baggy jersey on. For example, a guy like Cayman Bundage is in really good physical condition.
* The general mood of the program right now is still fairly optimistic. Yes, the result was far from what they had in mind and they know the opportunities were there to make a competitive game out of it heading into the fourth quarter. That part still bugs them quite a bit.
But a 3-1 start to the season is still the type of progress they generally like, all things considered from where the team was entering fall camp. On top of it, the loss was to a team in Oregon that is now No. 2 in the nation and it came on the road. Present them with that scenario at the start of the season and the program would take it in an instant. The Ducks game basically is looked at like a free spin without much consequence.
This program has a good grasp on realistic expectations, even despite the 3-0 start and win over a top-25 opponent. As a bonus of sorts, now the Wildcats get the opportunity to bounce back in a big way, at least on paper. Nobody had Oregon State pegged for such a quick start to the season, and definitely not a No. 18 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Arizona will be back at home with an opportunity to add another win over a ranked program, and it does not matter to the team that the Beavers may not carry the same weight as an Oklahoma State.
The point is, it gives the team a focal point this week and a little extra juice going into the week of preparation when it seemed as if a 49-0 loss could not have possibly produced such a thing.
* Ah, yes, the game itself
There is no need to rehash the obvious, or numbers like the scoreless drives inside the red zone. So, on that note, here is what stood out from Saturday's game:
No. 22 Arizona at No. 3 Oregon: By the numbers
3 - Consecutive games with an interception for Jonathan McKnight
7 - Catches by Arizona's game-high receiver, which surprisingly turned out to be David Richards
13 - Points produced in Oregon's first nine drives, which extended into the first two offensive series of the second half
23 - Snaps inside the red zone by the Arizona offense without a score
49 - Still the most points a Jeff Casteel defense has allowed in his 11 seasons as a defensive coordinator. Last season, Syracuse topped West Virginia, 49-23
Basketball
* Despite the ongoing NCAA investigations into its program, UCLA is a preseason pick to win the Pac-12 Conference, according to widely respected Lindy's magazine. Arizona is not far off as the second-place pick.
Solomon Hill is the magazine's choice for preseason Pac-12 player of the year, and aside from the Bruins' roster it comes down to whether the Wildcats can make the leap with Mark Lyons a bit out of his element at running the point guard - although, it still remains to be seen just how much Lyons truly plays the position.
For an idea on who UA's top freshman may be, Grant Jerrett received enough respect as a second-team all-conference preseason pick by the magazine, which was compiled by the guidance on respected college basketball writer and good friend of GOAZCATS.com, Frank Burlison.
* Scheduling note: The Wildcats' Jan. 26 home contest against USC will be a 5 p.m. tipoff to accommodate ESPNU's broadcast.
* The retirement of Jim Calhoun at Connecticut earlier this month naturally brought up rumors over who is permanent replacement would be. Kevin Ollie signed a one-year, $625,000 contract to take over the program.
Because of the East Coast ties, Sean Miller's name popped up just because. But, look, Miller has something forming in Tucson and it makes zero sense for him to leave before even seeing through the work on what could be a national championship within the next two or three seasons.
* A preseason physical detected that Phoenix Suns forward and former UA standout Channing Frye has an enlarged heart, which will sideline him indefinitely and likely cause him to miss the entire upcoming NBA season.
Otherwise known as dilated cardiomyopathy, it is a condition that does not allow blood to be pumped properly and with as much force as a healthy heart.
Frye, who does not want to push it with his health and will require six months of rest, will be limited to yoga and playing golf as he sits out.
Since the news broke Thursday, Frye has remained positive and provided updates through his Facebook and Twitter accounts, openly taking questions from fans about his situation.
Los Angeles Clippers big man and former Gonzaga star Ronny Turiaf battled a similar situation a month after he was drafted into the league in 2005. Doctors found an enlarged aortic root in his heart, but Turiaf eventually returned to the NBA in early 2006 after undergoing open heart surgery and a rehabilitation stint in the CBA. So, Frye's condition, although serious, has been dealt with in the past and a return to basketball is certainly within reach.
And now with the latest in recruiting, here's the weekly breakdown from Matt Moreno
Arizona didn't get the win when it took a trip up to Eugene, Ore., over the weekend but that shouldn't a have a negative effect on the Wildcats' recruiting effort moving forward. Sure, a win would have been a big thing for the 'Cats when it comes to selling recruits on the program, but the staff will continue to recruit as it has been doing since it arrived in Tucson.
On the basketball side of things, the 'Cats have continued to stop by schools of recruits they want to check in on. Getting a chance to get out these schools is important to showing how they feel about certain recruits and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the prospects we've talked to lately.
With plenty to discuss this week, let's get right into it.
Football recruiting
As always during the high school football season, we will continue to keep you updated with how the current Wildcat recruiting class is doing during its final go-around in the high school ranks.
* Once again here are the notable performances of the weekend - and there were plenty of future 'Cats who played well this week.
Derek Babiash: The three-star cornerback from Poway, Calif., has had an impressive start to the season so far as he had collected an interception in each game of the young season already. Babiash continued to do his part Friday night as the Titans took on a tough team from Oceanside, Calif., but his effort on the defensive side of the ball wouldn't be enough in the team's fourth game of the year.
Poway ended up losing the contest 23-13 and fell to 2-2 on the year. The future Wildcat finished the game with an interception - his fifth of the season - and a blocked punt in the loss. Oceanside remained a perfect 4-0 on the year with its win.
Pierre Cormier and Lee Walker: A week after edging out their last opponent, the pair of Wildcat commits and their team from San Diego (Calif.) Madison took the field against San Diego (Calif.) Clairemont Friday night. Cormier and Walker's squad didn't have too much trouble in this one, however, as their squad came away with the 49-6 victory.
In the contest, Cormier racked up 83 yards on a team-high 10 carries to go along with a rushing touchdown. He added 11 yards on two receptions as well in the win.
Walker continued to be effective all over the field as the UA athlete commit led the team in receiving with 74 yards on four catches, with his longest reception coming on a 36-yard gain. He too scored a touchdown, but his came on a pass play.
2014 UA recruit Michael Garner led the team with two touchdowns in the win. He scored one touchdown on the ground and one touchdown on a reception.
Paul Elvira and Mauriece Lee: The pair of future Wildcats have had their team from Tempe (Ariz.) Marcos de Niza on a roll this season and they faced what could have been their last true test of the regular season Friday night. Things didn't end up in favor of Elvira and Lee for the first time this season as the Padres fell to Tucson (Ariz.) Ironwood Ridge 35-27 at home.
Elvira scored two touchdowns in the loss to go along with 163 yards receiving on the night. Meanwhile, Lee was held to negative yardage in the loss on just six carries, but he did score a touchdown in the defeat.
Ironwood Ridge moved to 5-0 on the year with the win.
Samajie Grant: Heading into Friday night's contest, the UA commit and his team from Ontario (Calif.) Colony had not picked up a win on the young season - going 0-4 to start the year. That changed Friday night as Grant was the key piece to his team getting its first win. The future Wildcat scored three rushing touchdowns on the evening to go along with 168 yards.
The result was an easy 42-13 win over Montclair, Calif.
Grant hurt Montclair with big runs as he had a 36-yard score as well as a 50-yard scamper just 90 seconds apart.
Zachary Green: Of the 25 UA commits in action Friday night, the toughest challenge belonged to the future Wildcat running back Friday night. Green and his previously undefeated squad from Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure had the tough task of taking on the RivalsHigh second-ranked team in the nation, Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita, but the result wasn't what many were expecting.
St. Bonaventure didn't get the win, but after traveling 100 miles the Seraphs more than held their own, and a big part of that was the play of Green. The future Wildcat scored three touchdowns in the 35-27 loss.
Green ran the ball 18 times for St. Bonaventure and he amassed 103 yards to go along with the scores. it was the first loss for St. Bonaventure this season in its five games.
DeAndre Miller: After getting out to a quick 4-0 start this season, the UA linebacker commit and his team from Buckeye (Ariz.) Buckeye Union picked up its first loss Friday night. Miller's squad fell to Yuma (Ariz.) Yuma Catholic 37-24 in their first home game since the end of August.
Miller gained five yards on two carries for the Hawks.
Nate Phillips: After a tough loss to Chandler, Ariz., last week, it was back to business as usual for the UA receiver commit Friday night against Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland. Phillips finished the 21-17 win as the leading receiver with nine catches for 95 yards for his team from Chandler (Ariz.) Basha.
Phillips wasn't one of the players who scored a touchdown in his team's win.
Anu Solomon: The Wildcats four-star quarterback commit got his team back on the winning track Friday night after falling for just the fourth time of his career at Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman last week. Solomon had a solid night as he finished the win by completing 19 of his 28 pass attempts for 256 yards and a touchdown.
He also had a rare turnover when he threw an interception. The dual-threat prospect added five carries for 11 yards in the win. One of those carries took Solomon into the end zone for a touchdown.
Bishop Gorman ended up taking the win over Anaheim (Calif.) Servite, 42-0.
Thomas Woodson: Another prospect who plays quarterback for his team, Woodson was able to get his team its fourth win of the year Friday night when Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway rolled to an easy 42-7 win.
Woodson had another big game as he finished the night by completing 13 of his 21 passes for 338 yards. He threw for three touchdowns in the big win. The UA commit added three runs for 22 yards.
Basketball recruiting
The Wildcats' staff has continued to get around to different schools to during the current recruiting cycle. Head coach Sean Miller and his staff have been all over the place, and the main focus for now is the 2014 class when it comes to checking out prospects. Recently, the coaching staff was able to get around to see a couple key recruits and both came away with a positive feeling about the experience.
* Four-star point guard prospect Jordan McLaughlin had UA assistant James Whitford stop by his school recently, and the Wildcats are just one of many programs who have checked out the Etiwanda, Calif., standout in the last couple of weeks.
"They have gone very well," McLaughlin told GOAZCATS.com last week about his workouts when coaches are present. "Those are all outstanding schools. It did give me a better visual perspective rather than talking on the phone all the time to someone I haven't seen."
After getting offered during the July evaluation period, the talk between McLaughlin and the staff has been about getting out to Tucson on an unofficial visit. The relationship between the nation's 35th-best prospect and the UA staff continues to grow as well.
"It has been good," the four-star prospect said of his relationship with Miller's staff. "We are trying to set up an unofficial visit some time coming up, but we haven't decided when yet."
McLaughlin doesn't plan on deciding any time soon about which school he will pick to play his college ball.
While Parker Jackson-Cartwright is also a high-profile target for the Wildcats in 2014, McLaughlin is another one who the staff wants to stay involved with. While UA still has some ground to make up on other programs with McLaughlin, the 'Cats should remain in the mix until the end with the talented four-star 2014 point guard.
* Another four-star prospect who the Wildcats hold in high regard is in-state recruit Dorian Pickens. The Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle standout picked up an offer from the 'Cats shortly after the July evaluation period and he has continued to build a relationship with the staff as well.
Miller himself stopped by Pinnacle to see an open-gym workout recently and Pickens sees that as a very positive sign when it comes to his recruitment.
"Coach Miller stopped by the other day and it went great," he said. "Me and him are really starting to build a good relationship, and we're definitely talking more often and just trying to get to know each other better."
With it being Miller who stopped by to see him rather than an assistant, the Rivals150 member said it sends a good sign about where he is on UA's list of priorities in the 2014 class.
"It definitely sends a good message," he told GOAZCATS.com last week. "It lets me know how serious they are about recruiting me and that I'm a guy who is high on their radar and the type of guy they want to play for them. So it's pretty huge for coach Miller to come by and watch an open gym."
Pickens has already been out to UA on an unofficial previously, but he hopes to make a return trip sometime soon as well.
"I will be getting out to Tucson probably within the next few months to catch a practice or something like that," he said. "Then I'll be taking some other unofficials later this year to some schools on the East Coast."
The talented wing prospect isn't planning on making his decision any time soon as his plan is to decide closer to his senior year.
While he is not a five-star prospect, Pickens is another prospect to keep an eye on down the line. Even though it was just a short trip to Phoenix, Miller stopping by to see Pickens shows where the wing recruit is on the list of priorities in 2014. Pickens is versatile in what he can do on the court, so getting a commitment from him is not something that would be surprising in the end.
However, it's still a long way from that point but it is certainly a recruitment to keep an eye on.[/B]
