What needs to change for Arizona to stop the 4 game skid?
by uofafanatic on Dec 7, 2010 10:01 AM PST
in Arizona Wildcats Football
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PrintWith the excitement of Arizona's Alamo Bowl berth, comes the realization that some significant improvements need to be made if the Wildcats are to have any hope of defeating Oklahoma State.
First and foremost, is the most basic of tasks. Improve the fundamentals. With an offense as prolific as Oklahoma State's, dropped passes, arm tackles, and dropped interceptions could prove catastrophic. So, no fancy solution needed here. Just practice, practice, practice. Arizona has until the 29th of this month to whip itself into shape, and I'm sure the coaching staff will be all over the guys in practice.
Next, the offensive play calling. Take more shots deep. If you're going to start QB Nick Foles, then use that rocket arm. Get the defense playing the pass, and then the rushing game will improve. It's not magic or rocket science. Stop it with the dink and dunk for 3 to 5 yards, or it'll be more of the same, with little to no rushing threat for Oklahoma St. to be concerned with. And for the love of Wilbur, if you put QB Matt Scott in, call some passing plays. The defense will be watching for him to run, and Matt has developed into a top-level passer. He may not be as accurate as Foles, but he's more than good enough when the defense is forced to watch for the QB run.
Lastly, the special teams. Ok, not a lot can be done here. But something needs to happen. Either find a way to light a fire under the current kicking corps' butts, or start working out every red-shirt and soccer player that you can find. This game could very well come down to field goals. That's flat out scary right now. I have no solution to offer here. Just find a way to fix the issues with the kickers. All of them. Now.
What's your take? Where do you feel the Arizona Wildcats need to improve to defeat the Oklahoma St. Cowboys? And what would you do, if you were in charge of fixing their issues?
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I agree with your assesment of what needs improvements. The only thing I would like to add is the pass rush. They need to shake things up a bit. Too much of a load is placed on D-line. I know we have some outstanding DEs, but they can’t pressure the entire game with no help. I’m not saying bring an all out blitz every down, but at least send in a LB or CB once in a while or stunt. This straight forward rush is too easy to pick up on and our D-line hasn’t registered many sacks as of late. Hopefully this will give the DBs a little help also since they’ve been in a struggle.
Oh and I have a solution for the kicking game, GO FOR IT! Yeah that’s right go for it everytime. At least then we’ll have a chance. I had little confidence before last Thurday on our kicking game. Now I have absolutely none. If they’d let us I’d even say let Foles throw the ball during kick offs.
Unfortunately...
I agree. Unless there is some dramatic improvement, or Stoops suddenly finds a decent kicker on the soccer or rugby team. You can’t waste a chance to score points against Oklahoma State. I’d say only kick on kickoffs and when you have a 4th down deep in your own territory. If Arizona is in Oklahoma St. territory, by even a yard, I’d say go for it every down, including the 2 point conversion.
Patrick Evans (uofafanatic)
Interesting Fact
This year Zendejas is:
Field Goals: 13 of 16 (81.25%)
Extra Points: 40 of 45 (88.89%)
I’m really surprised that both those numbers are as high as they are, after watching all the games this year I’d swear he was closer to 60%-70%. I guess its just that when he misses we lose and that makes it feel like he missed more than he really did.
Oregon St 29-27: 1 missed field goal and 1 missed PAT
USC 24-21: 1 missed field goal
ASU 30-29: 2 missed PAT
To be fair he also missed a field goal vs Cal and a PAT vs both UCLA and Washington, but we won those games.
Well...
He could be 95% accurate. However, if that 5% of misses came at the wrong time, it’s unnacceptable. A kicker needs to be consistent. None of the Arizona kickers or punters are consistent. Unacceptable.
Patrick Evans (uofafanatic)
by uofafanatic on Dec 8, 2010 1:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
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