[Quack Attack]

Wildcats focused on game; are you?




By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.25.2008


The Arizona Wildcats have turned their attention to Saturday's season opener against Idaho.
Maybe you should, too. The UA will take on the Vandals at Arizona Stadium in five short days, meaning there's little time left to prepare for the Wildcats' upcoming season. Don't worry — the Star has prepared a rigorous, weeklong schedule to get you ready for Saturday's game. This training camp does not include a trip to Fort Huachuca, or two-a-days. Just a lot of football focus:

Today: Find your seats.
Any football fan knows it's important to look like you've been there before. So if you haven't checked out your seats for Saturday's game, do it now. Drive to the UA campus and find your designated entry gate. Brave fans can try to enter the stadium along the northeast side of the stadium, but only if the gate is open. We're not condoning breaking and entering.

The timid can check out their seats online. Go to University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site, click on "tickets" and follow the directions to a map of Arizona Stadium. The Web site includes photos of the view from each section.

Tuesday: Extrapolate!
Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama posted the greatest single-season numbers in Arizona history last season, throwing for 3,683 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2007. Today, it's time to figure out how much yardage Tuitama would have thrown for if: A) He had been healthy his entire career and B) The Wildcats had run the "Air Zona" offense since 2005. Grab a calculator and figure it out. Then be bummed.

Wednesday: Do some research.
Arizona is expected to debut eight new starters on defense and either one or two on offense, depending on whether Rob Gronkowski's mononucleosis test comes back positive.

Now is the time to get to know the new cast. The Star will post short bios of each new starter at www.azstarnet.com ® | Finley on Wednesday morning.
Check it out — and find a new favorite player.

Thursday: Warm up.
The 2008 season officially begins Thursday night when Stanford takes on Oregon State in a 6 p.m. game televised on ESPN2. Pick a side — we'll take Stanford in an upset — cheer hard and build up your lung capacity for Saturday's Arizona game.

Friday: Wear red!
It's the fourth annual National College Colors Day, a celebration that encourages students, fans and alumni to wear their favorite college gear in anticipation of the season opener.

The UA athletic department is encouraging students and alumni to wear red and blue. Visit College Colors Day - August 29, 2008 for more details.

Saturday: Get started early — and stay late.
Start your game-day routine with a morning jog up "A" Mountain — it's about a mile to the top — and enjoy a view of the city, including Arizona Stadium.
Drive to campus early in the afternoon for some tailgating. Try to get inside the stadium by 6 p.m., so you'll have an hour to see the "Pride of Arizona" marching band's pre-game show and watch pre-game fireworks. If the Wildcats win — and given Idaho's woeful history, they should — follow the band to the student union for a post-game concert and a ringing of the Victory Bell.