Unlike Saturday’s extreme heat warning, Sunday’s storms actually forced the Wildcats to delay the start of practice and begin at the Davis Sports Center. The wide receiver continued it strong camp, while Noah Fifita dazzled under the lights. Here are some of the notable observations and takeaways from Arizona fall training camp action on Sunday, August 23 at the Davis Sports Center & Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Offense:
- With Darude’s Sandstorm blasting over the speakers, Giovanni Richardson kicked off the fast ball portion of practice with a touchdown reception on a beautiful ball thrown by Noah Fifita at the DSC.
- After moving into the stadium, Richardson had another impressive catch on an out-route with a perfectly placed ball from Fifita that was just out of reach of Quinn Olson.
- Isaiah Mizell had another up and down day. The sophomore continues to make some impressive grabs, including one where he got his hands underneath the ball to save a reception, but followed it up shortly after with a drop.
- After putting together arguable his best practice of fall camp on Saturday, Tre Spivey hauled in an impressive catch on his finger tips deep down the middle of the field. It looked as though linebacker Cooper Blomstrom may have gotten home for the sack, but either way, it was an impressive catch by Spivey.
- Similar to Spivey, RJ Mosley continues to come on as of late. He recorded a number of impressive, physical receptions, including a high-pointed ball thrown by Luke Haugo.
- Overall, the running back has looked stout throughout fall camp. One trend that continues to arise is Kedrick Reescano’s struggles pass-catching out of the backfield. Every practice, he seems to have one or two attempts that hit the turf. While Arizona has plenty of capable pass-catching backs, including Quincy Craig, Antwan Roberts, and Ismail Mahdi, it does limit what the Wildcats can do with Reescano on the field.
- The best throw and catch of the night once belong to Fifita and Richardson. While under duress and moving backwards, Fifita delivered a perfect ball off his back foot over 30 yards to Richardson, who secured the catch in double coverage.
- Overall, the offense did a good job balancing run and pass plays, practicing a number of situations, including two-minute and four-minute drills. Fifita was perfect on the Wildcats’ final two-minute drill of practice, going 5-5 to set up a “game winning” field goal for Michael Salgado-Medina.
Defense:
- Dominic Lolesio got some work with the first-team today in the DSC, but when the Wildcats took the field for 11-on-11 drills in the stadium, it was once again Cooper Blomstrom who got work with the one’s. Also upfront, Kaisi Lafitaga continues to see time with the first-team defensive unit.
- Tyrese Boss, who is competing for a starting cornerback spot opposite Jay’Vion Cole, got home for a sack on reserve quarterback Luke Haugo.
- Against the second-team offense, Chase Kennedy and Tre Smith got home for a sack.
- Memphis linebacker transfer Everett Roussaw Jr. swatted down a pass from Noah Fifita to force a “fourth down” during the Wildcats’ 11-on-11 situational drills. He’s made plays in coverage and in the backfield this camp and gives Danny Gonzales another weapon and more depth in his blitz-heavy scheme.
- Jay’Vion Cole wrapped up practice with an interception on Sawyer Anderson, who continues to make one concerning throw a practice as he competes with Haugo for the backup quarterback spot.
Special Teams:
- Chase Ridley may have just solidified his nickname as the “Boomin’ Onion” tonight. Under the stadium lights, Ridley had several near-60-yard punts that thundered from one end of the field to the other. Special teams coordinator Craig Naivar repped a number of different situations, including having Ridley pinned back deep in the end zone and coffin corners, where Ridley pinned two punts inside the 10 yard line.
- Salgado-Medina struggled with a pair of 50-plus-yard field goal attempts during a break between 11-on-11 periods, but delivered most when it mattered – something fans saw plenty of during games like the Cincinnati game last season. After Fifita led the offense down the field in a two-minute drill, Salgado-Medina nailed a 35-yard “game winner.”
Other:
- Both sides of the ball mixed up a number units throughout the 11-on-11 periods tonight. There were several times where the second-team offensive skill players lined up with Fifita and the first-team offensive line, or the defense used a mix of first- and second-team players, likely simulating potential lineups if players are injured or need rest down the stretch of the season.
- Arizona also had the first-team offense face the second-team defense and vice versa. The idea again is to explore different combinations, matchups, etc.