ALBUQUERQUE β€” Greetings from the chilly "Land of Enchantment", where snow is on the ground, cold wind in the air.

Arizona's return to Albuquerque is a cold one, just as it was back in 2012. Wednesday was a day filled with deja vu for many players who were here for that wild New Mexico Bowl a few years ago, and it started with the games and fun the team had at iT'Z β€” think Chuck E. Cheese's.

Both New Mexico and Arizona's players and coaches were treated to a buffet-style meal before re-locating to the game room, playing arcade games for tickets for a couple hours. It's the same type of experience the Wildcats had back in 2012 in the days leading up to the bowl game.Β 

Arizona's stand-out special teamers β€” kicker Casey Skowron and punter Drew Riggleman β€” might have been having the most fun. Together they scouted the area for the easiest games to win tickets β€” "that was the game plan. We call it investing," Skowron said β€” then combined their winnings to take home one playful toy gun for both of them, called a "Moon Blaster", which shoots out plastic balls.Β 

"We’re special teams," Skowron said.

"We don’t mess around," Riggleman added. Β 

Anyway, onto newsier items....

Quick hits from iT'Z

  • Luca Bruno (foot) is doubtful to play in Saturday's game. Bruno, a starting defensive lineman, was hurt in the Arizona State loss on Nov. 21, and was walking in a boot on Wednesday. He hasn't been practicing, either. Arizona's injury report will be released sometime on Thursday. I'd expect Nick Wilson, Freddie Tagaloa, Derrick Turituri and a few others to be listed on the report.Β 
  • Tyrell Johnson won't be running track this upcoming season. The sophomore receiver was a stand-out sprinter for Arizona's track program last year, but has been banged up this season and decided to focus on football. "I’m not going to run this year. I’m probably going to wait another year before going back to track," Johnson said. "I just want to focus on football, get ready for the season."
  • The Wildcats had a walkthrough on Wednesday morning at Arizona Stadium before flying out to Albuquerque, and will practice Thursday in the afternoon, their last practice of the season.

Some video proof of Riggleman and Skowron having fun...

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