Seen and heard: On UTEP's top NFL prospect, a leisurely lunch and (mmmmm…) beer
Seen and heard in El Paso
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Arizona's Shun Brown pulls in a pass from quarterback Brandon Dawkins to score a touchdown in the first quarter as UTEP's Kahani Smith defends during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in El Paso, Texas. (Ruben R. Ramirez/The El Paso Times via AP)
The Arizona Wildcats traveled (by bus) to El Paso for Friday's game against UTEP at the Sun Bowl. The Star did, too. Here's a look at what went down in Friday's game:
Will to get better helped turn UTEP’s Hernandez into top NFL prospect
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UTEP's Will Hernandez (76) blocks against Oklahoma defensive tackle Marquise Overton (97) during an NCAA college football game between UTEP and Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Will Hernandez was a 230-pound high school sophomore when he decided to quit football and go into construction with his father. His new coach at Las Vegas’ Chaparral High School convinced him to stick it out.
Six years later, the 6-foot-3-inch, 330-pound Hernandez is on the verge of an NFL career. The All-America offensive lineman is UTEP’s best player. An NFL scout told Sports Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman that Hernandez is the best guard prospect in the country right now.
Hernandez could’ve been a Wildcat. According to Feldman, USC and Arizona were interested in Hernandez but backed off when they learned he initially wasn’t going to qualify academically. UTEP waited it out, and has been rewarded.
The big number
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Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins keeps the ball and scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the UTEP during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in El Paso, Texas. (Ruben R. Ramirez/The El Paso Times via AP)
1
Game in which UA quarterback Brandon Dawkins threw for more than touchdown before Friday. The other time? When Dawkins relieved an injured Anu Solomon and ineffective Jerrard Randall against Arizona State in 2015.
Pit stop
UpdatedThank you to Sutter's Catering for meeting us on the ride for a lunch break! 🐻🔽 pic.twitter.com/JD8bQsnZTv
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 14, 2017
It’s been a while since Arizona took the bus to a road game further away than Tempe. The Wildcats bucked that trend on Thursday, trekking five hours to El Paso.
Along the way, the team posted up at a rest stop in Lordsburg, New Mexico. The UA’s entire roster and staff ate a catered lunch provided by Sutter’s Catering Service.
Arizona arrived later in the afternoon, and did a walk-through at the Sun Bowl before settling in at a local Marriott.
“It was long, man,” UA linebacker Tony Fields said of the road trip. “Too long.”
Mmmmm, beer. …
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Arizona has considered selling alcohol at Arizona Stadium for a few years.
UTEP is ahead of the UA in that regard.
Included in Friday’s selection at the Sun Bowl: Estrella Jalisco, a Mexican beer that was introduced to the U.S. market in May 2016.
Fake Tweet of the night, Part I
UpdatedAnyone know how to set up a LinkedIn profile? Asking for a friend
— Fake Rich Rodriguez (@FakeRichRod) September 16, 2017
— @FakeRichRod, a fake Rich Rodriguez account, after Arizona didn’t score in the first quarter.
Fake Tweet of the night, Part 2
UpdatedOkay, maybe we'll save my LinkedIn profile for next week https://t.co/z7vBgpxU0c
— Fake Rich Rodriguez (@FakeRichRod) September 16, 2017
— @FakeRichRod minutes later, after Arizona scored on a Shun Brown punt return to take a 28-0 lead.
Fear the ears
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Tucson Padres' radio broadcaster Tim Hagerty does his thing in just prior to their game against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Kino Stadium, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
For anyone who feels like Arizona Stadium has attendance issues, visit the Sun Bowl.
The 51,500-person stadium might have been filled to less than 50 percent capacity on Friday.
One explanation: UTEP’s game against Arizona may not have been the biggest game in town.
The Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas hosted the Memphis Redbirds on Friday in the Pacific Coast League championship series.
The Chihuahuas, of course, played in the Old Pueblo as the Tucson Padres from 2011 to 2013.
There are a few familiar faces left on the El Paso team. Pitcher Kevin Quackenbush and catcher Rocky Gale both played in Tucson, and pitching coach Bronswell Patrick and radio voice Tim Hagerty followed the team east when it moved.
A new QB controversy
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Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins hands off the ball to running back J.J. Taylor during an NCAA college football game against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in El Paso, Texas. (Ruben R. Ramirez/The El Paso Times via AP)
Brandon Dawkins started at quarterback — we think.
UTEP’s online stat broadcast initially listed Chacho Ulloa as the starter. Ulloa completed two passes and rushed for 19 yards, the site said.
It’s hard to knock UTEP for the mistake: Both Dawkins and Ulloa wear the same jersey number, 13.
A Texas homecoming
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Tristan Cooper, 2017 University of Arizona football team
Tristan Cooper hasn’t played much for Arizona this season, mostly appearing on special teams.
The El Paso native made his hometown debut late in the second quarter, though you wouldn’t know it on the stat sheet — the Miners completed a 40-yard pass and then scored a 9-yard touchdown on Cooper’s first two plays. Neither defensive lapse was his fault, however.
