The Wildcats practiced under the stadium lights for the time this fall, attacking all three phases of the game, while also working through a number of simulated situations for all three groups. Unlike some of the practices in recent days, there weren’t flashy plays all over the field. If anything, the special teams unit won the day. Here are some of the notable observations and takeaways from Arizona fall training camp action on Saturday, August 15 at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Offense:
- Tight end Shane King and wide receiver DJ Jordan got a number of reps with the first-team unit on Saturday. When in pads, King, or Suge, as his teammates call him, adds a size and physicality dynamic Arizona’s other tight ends don’t have.
- The Wildcats ran an interesting “6-on-11” drill that did not include offensive linemen. The quarterbacks and skill position players worked on routes, timing, etc., with a full suite of defenders also present on the field.
- Gio Richardson continues to be one of Noah Fifita’s favorite targets, often serving as a relief valve and sure-handed option for Arizona’s quarterback. Richardson could very well end up leading the UA in receptions this season.
- Luke Haugo, who saw more action as QB2 this evening, caught the defense’s attention with his speed, using his legs to pick up a 45-yard gain down the left sideline.
- Jordan Ross hauled in a spectacular catch from Mason Bray, high-pointing a ball in double coverage along the right sideline.
- BYU transfer Jake Griffin got some work with the first-team offensive line unit as the coaching staff continues exploring who and where on the line Arizona’s other offensive linemen provide the most depth.
- Quarterback Oscar Rios, who missed most of spring with a shoulder injury, got some reps at quarterback during one of the later periods in practice.
- Arizona simulated several different scenarios throughout practice, including pinning the offense inside its own 10 yard line, as well as several late-game clock-management situations.
Defense:
- Georgetown transfer Cooper Blomstrom continues to see action with the defensive starters. Dominic Lolesiso was lauded as the “most improved player” during spring ball, but there could very well be a battle brewing at edge opposite Tre Smith.
- True freshman Hannibal Naives II made a spectacular interception on a deep ball intended thrown by Luke Haugo for wide receiver Landon Kelsey.
- On the next play, Malcolm Hartzog snagged another ball from Haugo, returning it for a pick six.
- Quinn Olson, who continues to turn heads daily during fall camp, saved a touchdown on a pass from Noah Fifita intended for DJ Jordan in the left corner of the end zone.
- Lee Molette III snared an interception on a pass from Fifita that had the entire defensive sideline FIRED UP!
- Freshman linebacker Dash Fifita got home and recorded a sack on Haugo near the end of practice.
Special Teams:
- Chase Ridley, who will now be known as the “Boomin’ Onion,” uncorked a monster 75-yard punt during the earlier portion of practice. Ridley had several punts that landed inside the 5 yard line, providing ample opportunities for the coverage team.
- One of those punts was downed perfectly at the two yard line by a diving Malcolm Hartzog, who saved a touchback.
- Caleb “Jet” Smith, Isaiah Mizell, Kedrick Reescano, Gio Richardson, and Cornelius “Corn” Warren III all had reps returning kickoffs
- Freshman kicker Ian French had an up and down practice, but settled in throughout the evening and showed consistency down the stretch.
- French missed multiple field goals to open practice, but one was due to a bad snap (perhaps the first time the field goal operation has faulted this fall camp).
- During the middle of practice, French missed two of three attempts from 49-yards, bookending his attempts into the north end zone with misses.
- At the end of practice, quarterback Luke Haugo spiked the ball with 0:06 seconds remaining, setting up French for a successful “game-winning” 49-yard field goal facing south.
Bonus:
- Arizona had a special visitor in attendance – former Wildcats offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Brennan Carroll.
- Crowd noise was pumped into the stadium for a couple minutes during one of the final periods of the evening.