[Quack Attack]

Arizona Wildcats hope to solve QB quandary soon



By ANDREW BAGNATO AP Sports Writer

Posted: 08/20/2009 02:19:22 PM PDT
Updated: 08/20/2009 02:29:23 PM PDT

TUCSON, Ariz.—From the moment Willie Tuitama took his last snap in December, Arizona fans have wondered who would replace the most prolific passer in school history.
Coach Mike Stoops hopes to have an answer this weekend.
He'd like to name either Matt Scott or Nick Foles the starting quarterback after a scrimmage on Saturday night in Arizona Stadium, a move that would give the Wildcats' offense time to coalesce for the Sept. 5 opener against Central Michigan on the same field.

"That would be probably ideal," Stoops said in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press. "It gives us two weeks of preparation for Central Michigan." So far, neither Scott nor Foles has performed consistently well in training camp, although it appears that Scott is the leading candidate. The Wildcats' offense struggled in a scrimmage at Sierra Vista last Saturday, and afterward offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said his quarterbacks "stunk."

Quarterback is the most pressing issue facing Arizona as it tries to build on last year's 8-5 season, which ended with a victory over Brigham Young in the Las Vegas Bowl, the program's first postseason triumph in a decade.
Since then, the Wildcats have been trying to decide between Scott and Foles, who offer a sharp contrast in styles.
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, fleet-footed Scott can improvise when the pocket breaks down. Appearing in six games a year ago, the Corona, Calif., product completed seven of 11 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. He carried 23 times for 188 yards and a touchdown, averaging 8.2 yards per carry.


The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Foles is, like Tuitama, a strong-armed, dropback passer who probably won't make many plays with his feet.
Foles transferred from Michigan State after his freshman season and sat out last year under NCAA rules. He appeared in one game for the Spartans, completing five of eight passes for 57 yards. At Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, Foles broke Drew Brees' records for yards passing (5,658 ) and touchdowns (56).

For Rest of the Article:
Arizona Wildcats hope to solve QB quandary soon - ContraCostaTimes.com

[Quack Attack]

UA not ready to name starting QB



QB Matt Scott has struggled this camp.


Aug. 22, 2009 08:43 PM
Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona coach Mike Stoops wasn't ready to name a starting quarterback after camp's final major scrimmage Saturday night, saying the drop-back passing game is the most disappointing part of his team. "Too many balls on the ground at this point," Stoops said. "We really have to work hard on that over the next two weeks."
Sophomore quarterback Nick Foles, a transfer from Michigan State, had a more productive scrimmage than sophomore Matt Scott, last season's backup to departed Willie Tuitama.

Foles directed the second-team offense to a 75-yard touchdown drive against the second-team defense and then led the first-team offense on a 75-yard scoring drive against the starting defense.
Foles was 11 of 16 for 104 yards and a touchdown. Scott, plagued by several dropped passes, was 9 of 19 for 85 yards.

Foles and Scott have been battling neck-and-neck since spring ball.
"We'll continue to evaluate," Stoops said. "We have to really take a hard look at it and see where we're at. Hopefully by Tuesday we'll come up with a game plan."

Stoops will hold a press conference Monday to wrap up fall camp and could announce a starter. He has said both quarterbacks could play in early season games. "If someone doesn't separate himself, we have to do what's fair," Stoops said.

Arizona's top two receiving options tight end Rob Gronkowski (back) and receiver Delashaun Dean (leg) have missed the majority of camp and did not play Saturday, hampering the drop-back passing game. They could return to practice in the next week, Stoops said.

"Those are some key components that are out for us," Stoops said.
Arizona opens its season at home against Central Michigan on Sept. 5.

[Quack Attack]

It appears Stoops is not happy with any of his QBs which is not a good sign to start the season.

Anybody think the Wildcats will improve on last season or excited about this year's team?