The Arizona Wildcats have completed 11 of 15 spring practices under first-year coach Kevin Sumlin. They’re still learning about one another.
The curve is a little easier to navigate for the defense. Coordinator Marcel Yates is back for a third season. On the other side of the ball, almost everything is new.
So is it safe to say the defense is ahead of the offense at this point?
“We hope so,” running backs coach Clarence McKinney said. “If the offense is ahead of the defense right now, it’ll be a long season.”
McKinney spoke after Saturday’s open scrimmage, during which the defense generally got the better of the offense.
The most encouraging sign: The defensive front was extremely active despite the absence of last year’s top playmaker, Kylan Wilborn, who dressed but did not participate for unspecified reasons.
That was exactly what defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei was hoping to see when he chatted with reporters earlier in the week.
“The D-line, we set the tone,” Uiagalelei said. “We’re going to be the hardest-working group out there. We’re getting after it. We’re going to be the example on this defense and this team. That’s the mindset I try to instill and ingrain.”
Redshirt junior defensive tackle Finton Connolly made the most notable play, much to the delight of his family, which watched the scrimmage from the warm west stands at Arizona Stadium. Connolly tackled tailback Branden Leon in the end zone for a safety, making the Connollys’ drive from the Phoenix area worthwhile.
He wasn’t the only standout.
Junior Lee Anderson III had a fumble recovery on a reverse that the defense blew up. Several other edge rushers and defensive tackles — including veterans Dereck Boles, JB Brown, Justin Belknap and Sione Taufahema, and newcomers PJ Johnson and Mykee Irving — were involved in “sacks” and tackles for losses. (Defenders were given credit for sacks when they touched or approached the quarterbacks; the scrimmage otherwise featured live tackling.)
“I can already see the improvement with the front —how to use your hands, coming off the ball, how to change direction, how to slip through a block and read a block,” Uiagalelei said. “It’s making a difference.”
The offense did have its moments. On the first play from scrimmage, Khalil Tate connected with receiver Shawn Poindexter down the left sideline for about 45 yards. Poindexter made a one-handed grab with cornerback Lorenzo Burns draped on him.
Redshirt junior Anthony Mariscal, who moved from safety to tailback earlier in the offseason, had the longest run of the day, weaving through a mix of second- and third-team defenders. He followed it up with a touchdown two plays later.
Sophomore tailback Nathan Tilford had a pair of nifty plays. On one, he turned a dump-off pass into a first down. On the second, he caught a swing pass to the left, cut back to the right and scored a touchdown from about 25 yards out.
Tilford carried the ball only 13 times as a freshman. He should be firmly in the mix this year with Nick Wilson and Zach Green having used up their eligibility.
Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 206 pounds, Tilford moves like a smaller man; he appears to glide at times while maneuvering through the defense.
McKinney would like Tilford to use his size a little more often.
“He’s really talented,” McKinney said. “We’ve just got to get him to understand what his weapons are. He’s the biggest guy in the room; we want him to be a little more physical.”
Although they play the most instinctual position, Tilford and his fellow running backs are like the rest of the offense: They’re still trying to figure things out.
“They’re where I expected them to be at this point,” McKinney said. “It’s a totally new system. They’re trying to learn the things that we’re asking them to do.”
Extra points
- Safety Scottie Young Jr. did not participate in the scrimmage and hasn’t been practicing with the team for unspecified reasons. Young started nine games as a freshman last season, ranked sixth on the team with 53 tackles and recorded his first career interception in the Foster Farms Bowl. Young was arrested last September in connection with a misdemeanor domestic violence incident. He has a diversion check scheduled for May 11 in Pima County Justice Court.
- The offensive line was missing two key parts: redshirt junior center Nathan Eldridge and redshirt sophomore tackle Tshiyombu Lukusa. Eldridge often has ice packs on his knees after practice, and it’s likely that the coaching staff is managing his reps in spring; he participated in the KidCats Club clinic after Saturday’s scrimmage. Lukusa was out because of a sprained ankle.
- Besides Wilborn, fellow “Stud” Jalen Harris and safety Isaiah Hayes were among the defensive players who did not participate. All three have been practicing. All three also had shoulder injuries of varying degrees last season.
- After getting beat on the first play, Burns rebounded by breaking up a similar-looking pass attempt from Tate to Poindexter.
- Backup quarterback K’Hari Lane overthrew an open Stanley Berryhill III in the end zone on a goal-to-go play. On the next play, Lane hit tight end Jamie Nunley on a slant for a touchdown.
- The Wildcats spent about 15 minutes working on kickoff returns at the start of the scrimmage. Gary Brightwell was the first returner, followed by J.J. Taylor. Brightwell later left the scrimmage with an apparent right knee injury. He did not return.
- Josh Pollack missed a 45-yard field goal attempt but later made one from 41 yards. Lucas Havrisik made a 37-yarder but missed a 50-yarder.
- Redshirt freshman cornerback Malik Hausman did not participate. He had a sling on his right arm during the KidCats Club event. Fellow corner Sammy Morrison appeared to suffer a shoulder injury late in the scrimmage.
- McKinney is recruiting Houston and Dallas and running backs throughout the country. “I believe there’s a kid in town I need to go see,” McKinney said, possibly alluding to Salpointe Catholic’s Bijan Robinson.
