Holiday Bowl Notes: Arizona 31, BYU 21

Spread Offense:

Arizona quarterback and Holiday Bowl MVP Willie Tuitama – 24-of-35, 325 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions – spread the wealth against BYU in the Las Vegas desert. For the last two seasons, slot receiver Mike Thomas has been Tuitama’s top target with sophomore tight end Rob Gronkowski’s 672 receiving yards second on the team and his 10 touchdown receptions leading the way.

Naturally Thomas and Gronkowski were the receiving stars of the game, right? Not so much.

Lanky junior Terrell Turner, who had just one 100-yard game his season, hauled in four balls for 111 yards, including a 71-yard catch-and-run on the opening drive. Tuitama hit Turner in stride as he ran down the seam, allowing the Texas native to register the longest reception of his career. It wasn’t a perfect day for Turner--he allowed a potential 60-yard touchdown pass to sail through his hands later in the game on a perfectly thrown ball by Tuitama — but he had to be happy with his performance. Sophomore Delashaun Dean caught a season-high seven passes and his 88 receiving yards were the second most in his young career.

Meanwhile, Rob Gronkowski wasn’t even the most productive Gronkowski. Older brother Chris caught passes of 19 and 24 yards out of his fullback position to bookend a 65-yard touchdown drive which put the ‘Cats up 24-14 late in the third quarter.

Overall, Tuitama looked sharp, taking what the defense gave him most of the night. The senior did a nice job stepping up in the pocket to avoid pressure – pocket presence is still something he’s working on. The strong-armed signal caller will be remembered in Tucson for bringing home the Wildcats’ first bowl win in 10 years.

"This was five years in the making. It all came together in the last month of the season," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said afterwards. "I couldn't be more proud of these seniors who brought Arizona back."

Defensive Notes:

* You have to love the way Ronnie Palmer (8 tackles) plays football. The senior linebacker was flying all over the field, laying big hits on BYU quarterback Max Hall when asked to blitz. Against the run, he was able to penetrate the backfield, and delivered a big hit in coverage to break up a pass play. Simply put, he just loves to hit. At 6’3” and 245 pounds, the senior linebacker has good size but may lack the speed to play at the next level.

* Fellow linebacker Xavier Kelly does have the speed. Built more like a safety than a linebacker (5’11”/215 pounds), the junior out of Texas covered the most ground of any defender, recording a game-high 15 stops, including a sack and strip of Hall, one of three fumbles the ‘Cats forced.

* Senior Marquis Hundley had some nice coverage on the day, including covering everybody’s All-American Austin Collie one-on-one at times. He made a great interception by running with Collie stride-for-stride, turning when Collie looked for ball and finishing the play with a nice two-handed snag, showing off his ball skills. Watching, you got the feeling that Hall was used to completing that kind of pass in Mountain West play, particularly when throwing it to his favorite target, Collie.

* Filling in for Hundley after the senior got dinged up was freshman Trevin Wade, who almost had a pick of his own. His play should come as no surprise for anyone who follows Arizona football--Wade had four interceptions in a backup role and should be ready to take on more responsibility next season.

Record Setters:

Austin Collie turned in his 11th straight game with at least 100 receiving yards – an FBS record – wow! That’s serious consistency at a very high level for the BYU junior. What else can you say? Arizona’s Mike Thomas set the all-time Pac-10 receiving record with career grab number 257. It came when Arizona called a time out to throw a short route to Thomas on the game’s final play to pass Derek Hagan, who attended rival Arizona St. I understand why Coach Mike Stoops did it…not sure if I would have.

In-Defensible:

It appeared Arizona was taking advantage of busted coverages and missed assignments all game long by BYU. The Cougars’ DBs were often fooled by simple hesitations in the Wildcats’ routes, leaving targets wide open. A couple of times BYU defenders were caught peaking in at the quarterback as well. Play-action fakes left fullback Chris Gronkowski uncovered on both of his receptions.

All around shoddy tackling by BYU was also a factor in this contest. Not to be outdone, the offense was sloppy as well. A third-and-one at the Arizona 19-yard line turned into third-and-16 after the Cougars committed three straight penalties. Adding insult to injury, kicker Mitch Payne missed a 40-yard field goal attempt.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Philbrick/BYU

Senior Spotlight: Bowl Week - December 20-21

QB Willie Tuitama/WR Mike Thomas, Arizona - Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU

The spread attack brought over from Texas Tech by Sonny Dykes last season has agreed with the Wildcats’ signal caller and top receiver. As a junior, Willie Tuitama saw a boost in his numbers, leading the Pac-10 in both touchdown passes and passing yards. While his touchdown passes (28 to 21) and yards (3,683 to 2,763) have dipped as a senior, the California native has been more efficient in his final campaign in the desert leading the ‘Cats to their first bowl appearance under Mike Stoops. His completion percentage is a career-high 64.6 percent and he is averaging 7.59 yards per pass, up from 7.03 last season. Tuitama has a strong arm and is a good athlete, but lacks ideal size and bulk. Mike Thomas was also a Pac-10 leader a year ago when he led the conference with his 83 receptions as a junior and racked up 1,038 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns (an Arizona single season record). Like his partner Tuitama, Thomas saw a drop in production in 2008 (70 receptions, 796 yards, four touchdowns), but should not be overlooked, as he is as dangerous as ever. The wide out has very reliable hands and is stronger than he appears, with quickness and speed being his biggest strengths. The Texas native has improved significantly since his freshman campaign, becoming a more polished receiver and a better route runner. His lack of length and bulk limit his potential, but he has the ideal skill set as a slot receiver. Thomas is also a dynamic return man and dangerous on reverses, end-arounds…or whenever he touches the pigskin.

CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest - Eagle Bank Bowl vs. Navy

A pure coverman, Smith has the type of speed, quickness and fluid hips that allow him to stay with even the best wide receivers. Smith gets a good read on the ball and his hands are receiver quality, as evidenced by his 20 career interceptions, which ties him with Dre’ Bly as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time leader. Once he gets the ball in his hands Smith is dynamic – simply put, he’s a playmaker. He is also a sure tackler who can be aggressive against the run (23.5 career TFLs) and a solid blitzer (9 career sacks). He can even lay the wood despite his lack of ideal size. Smith is also durable – he hasn’t missed a game during his four years at Wake Forest and will put on the pads for the 50th time as a Demon Deacon. Smith has the swagger and cover skills to be a lockdown cover corner at the next level.

QB Tom Brandstater, Fresno St. - New Mexico Bowl vs. Colorado St.

The Bulldog has shown improvement throughout his career, which is not all that uncommon for quarterbacks at Fresno State. Brandstater’s development as a decision maker, in his accuracy and at throwing the ball down field, speaks to both his coachabilty and work ethic. He’s not a scrambler, but Brandstater has good speed and can move the chains or find the goal line with his legs if necessary. Brandstater is an impressive athlete for a man of his size, but could use some more bulk. In his lone bowl experience, which came last season, Brandstater earned the Humanitarian Bowl MVP Award in their 40-28 victory over Georgia Tech. The 6’5 signal caller completed 23-of-30 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown, adding another 40 yards on the ground, including a 24-yard scoring scamper. The 24-year old is also regarded as a leader and is very bright, as he was a Draddy Trophy semifinalist.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Wake Forest University)

GOW: Las Vegas Bowl - BYU VS. Arizona

By ANDREW GARDA - PAC-10 INSIDER

December 20, 2008 * 8:00 * ESPN
Sam Boyd Stadium (71,500) *
Las Vegas, Nevada

THIS SEASON THE Pac-10 has squared up with the Mountain West Conference seven times with the MWC going an impressive 6-1. Included in that group is two wins by BYU (over UCLA and Washington), as well as a loss by Arizona (to New Mexico. Will the trend continue?

When the ‘Cats Have the Ball

Quarterback Willie Tuitama has had an outstanding year, throwing for 2,763 yards with 21 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He will face a BYU defense that can be scored on at times – the Cougars have allowed 32 or more points in four of their last six games. BYU has also had trouble pressuring and containing opposing quarterbacks, especially off the edges. This defense is not especially fast and that will also be an advantage for Wildcat running back Nic Grigsby. The sophomore back had his first 1,000-yard season and had an impressive 5.5 yards per carry average. Grigsby can move the chains and while he has not blown the opposition away, he is a threat and scored a touchdown in nine of twelve games. If he can get around the edges, or if the defense is caught over-committing, he could put together some big runs. An effective ground game will set up the Wildcats’ pass offense nicely. Even without it, Tuitama should be able to find his receivers against this defense, but with the run game rolling, the defense would open up more and couldn’t concentrate on simply one phase of Arizona’s offensive game. Tuitama tends to look most often for senior wideout Mike Thomas and like Grigsby and Tuitama, Arizona will need a good game from him if they are to win in the Las Vegas desert. They can also look to red zone target Rob Gronkowski, who leads the receiving corps with 10 touchdowns.

When the Cougs Have the Ball

This is BYU’s fourth consecutive trip to the Vegas Bowl and the Cougars have won the first three. If they want a fourth, they’ll need a big time performance from their star player… the guy they have depended upon all season long. That is, of course, quarterback Max Hall. Hall has been terrific this season, with 3,629 yards and 34 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in three of his last four games, including a five-touchdown game against Colorado State. His favorite target is Austin Collie, who leads the nation with 118.25 receiving yards per game and has a total of 1,419 yards and 15 touchdowns. If the Wildcats are able to slow the Cougars through the air, they’ll still have to contend with the ground attack. While Harvey Unga isn’t quite having the success he did in 2007, he’s still had quite the season. His second consecutive 1,000-yard is supplemented by another 41 receptions and 303 yards through the air. BYU ranks 17th in the nation offensively and Arizona will be hard pressed to contain them, even with a defense which has not performed terribly. The Wildcats have some opportunistic players in their defensive squad and they have been able to grab a total of 15 interceptions, led by Trevin Wade’s four. Hall has turned the ball over on occasion, but not with such frequency that the Cougars should be worried. In all likelihood, the Cougars will just have too much firepower for the Wildcats.

Final Analysis

EXPECT AN EXPLOSIVE offensive showdown, with the Cougars continue their domination over the Pac-10 and winter their third straight bowl.

Inside the Numbers– Pass, Run & Catch:

Arizona Wildcats (7-5, 5-4)
Pass: Willie Tuitama – 2,763 yards, 21 touchdowns
Run: Nic Grigsby – 1,066 yards, 12 touchdowns
Catch: Mike Thomas – 796 yards, 5 touchdowns

Brigham Young Cougars (10-2, 6-2)
Pass: Max Hall – 3,629 yards, 34 touchdowns
Run: Harvey Unga – 1,061 yards, 10 touchdowns
Catch: Austin Collie – 1,419 yards, 15 touchdowns

The CFI Prediction: BYU 38, Arizona 27

Photo Credit: Jaren Wilkey, BYU

Arizona (3-2, 5-3) @ Washington State (0-6, 1-8)

By ANDREW GARDA - PAC-10 INSIDER

Once a potential contender for the conference title, Arizona has fallen on hard times after losses to Stanford and USC, but a bowl appearance is still within reach. Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama is an efficient signal caller who will keep the chains moving, but he needs help from the ground game.

Washington State’s defense shouldn’t be too much trouble for the Wildcats. Neither will the Cougar offense. Both Marshall Lobbestael and Kevin Lopina have struggled. Either quarterback will find it very tough going against an Arizona team looking to reboot their season and finish strong with their first bowl appearance under Coach Mike Stoops.

O'Brien Quarterback Award Marquee Match-up for Week Nine

FORT WORTH, Texas (October 22, 2008) - The 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Match-ups for week nine feature eight O'Brien Watch List candidates. The O'Brien continues to highlight weekly match-ups featuring O'Brien candidates as they compete for the prestigious award honoring the nation's best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Fans can show their support by visiting www.VoteOBrien.org and casting their vote. The top three candidates in the Fan Vote will automatically be added to the Semifinalist List announced Monday, October 27.

Marquee Match-up: Texas Tech at Kansas
Saturday, October 25 at 11 a.m. (CST) on ESPN
The Quarterback rivalry in the Big 12 continues this weekend as Graham Harrell and the undefeated Red Raiders battle Todd Reesing and the Kansas Jayhawks. The No. 8 Raiders hope to continue their winning streak after defeating Texas A&M 43-25 last week. Tech currently boasts the longest winning streak in the country along with Penn State and Utah with nine straight wins. Harrell completed 44-of-56 passes last Saturday for 450 yards and three touchdowns. Previously honored as The O'Brien Quarterback of the Week, Harrell leads the nation in passing yards with 2,761.

The Jayhawks return to Lawrence after losing on the road to the Oklahoma Sooners. Reesing and his team will have tremendous support at their home field as this game marks Kansas' 95th homecoming. Reesing, a junior, passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns in last week's game. He ranks fourth nationally in pass completions (195) and seventh in passing yards (2,322).

The rivalry between these two Texas natives (Harrell from Ennis and Reesing from Austin) is nothing new as both are returning starters who were honored last year as 2007 O'Brien Semifinalists. Both quarterbacks are currently ranked in the top 10 of The O'Brien Fan Vote.

Head-to-Head O'Brien Match-ups (based on start times)
These O'Brien Watch List quarterbacks will clash in this week's games.

· South Florida (Matt Grothe) at Louisville (Hunter Cantwell)
Saturday, October 25 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN360.com

· Notre Dame (Jimmy Clausen) at Washington (Jake Locker*)
Saturday, October 25 at 7 p.m. (CST) on ESPN2

· USC (Mark Sanchez) at Arizona (Willie Tuitama)
Saturday, October 25 at 9:15 p.m. (CST) on FSN

*Injured

About The O'Brien Fan Vote
Fans can now register and vote for The O'Brien Fan Vote online at www.VoteOBrien.org to show their support for their favorite college quarterback. Fans will be able to choose from any of the 119 FBS quarterbacks beginning on Tuesday, September 2, leaving room for the possibility of a quarterback who is not on the Watch List to win the award. The top three quarterbacks who garner the most votes will be added to The O'Brien Semifinalist List, and the Fan Vote will then count as 5% in determining the Finalists and Winner. The 2008 Winner will be announced during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11 on ESPN. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fans can also download an interactive "widget" at www.DaveyOBrien.org/FAN/fan_widgets.asp featuring a voting link and the ability to post and share on Web sites, social networks and blogs.

Fans can show their support by adding The O'Brien Facebook application to their Facebook Profile. The new application can be found by searching O'Brien Fan Vote and clicking the applications tab or at http://apps.new.facebook.com/daveyobrien/.

About The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award®
The O'Brien honors the nation's best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. By recognizing and honoring athletes who excel in both sports and academics while exhibiting strong character and leadership, The O'Brien aims to help instill a lifelong moral fiber in each candidate. The O'Brien is overseen by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, which was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The Foundation has given away more than $750,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.