Lev it on the Field: Breaking down Arizona’s game vs. Washington, other news in the Pac-12

“Lev it on the Field” is back for Week 5. It’s the Star’s unique look at Arizona’s upcoming football matchup and other happenings around the Pac-12 (and Big 12) through the eyes of UA beat reporter-turned-columnist Michael Lev. Away we go ...

The Arizona Wildcats could face No. 7 Washington with an all-new backfield. We’ll officially know the status of Jayden de Laura and Michael Wiley sometime before kickoff Saturday night.

In the meantime, let me tell you a few things about would-be starters Noah Fifita and Jonah Coleman.

Fifita isn’t 5-11, his listed height, even in cleats. But he’s a gamer. He never once has looked ruffled since arriving on campus as an early enrollee in January 2022.

Fifita has a very strong arm and a quick release. He surely played shortstop in another life.

Fifita has enough mobility to avoid the rush. But, even more important, he has a good feel for where everyone is on the field. We saw that several times during his brief and successful relief appearance at Stanford.

Coleman has played many more meaningful snaps than Fifita, so his game isn’t as much of a mystery to the masses. Coleman has good vision and supreme determination, always fighting for extra yards — and usually gaining them.

Coleman is every bit of his listed 225 pounds. If you saw his thickly muscled legs up close, you’d never believe he’s as nimble as he is.

Whether it’s a one-game trial or a multigame stint, I look forward to seeing what Fifita and Coleman can do in featured roles.

Take that for data!

This week’s “Cats Stats” feature was devoted to UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the prolific Huskies offense. One statistical nugget that didn’t quite fit the narrative still has my jaw on the floor.

Per the Washington sports information staff, the Huskies had eight games in their history with two 100-plus-yard receivers entering this year. So far this season, they’ve done it in all four games.

Three times it’s been Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk. One time it’s been Odunze and Jalen McMillan.

Odunze already has matched his UW record of four straight 100-yard receiving games set last year.

(Rincon) Market report

Going up: Grievances

Everybody’s mad as hell in college football. Isn’t it great? Deion Sanders went after Jay Norvell. Dan Lanning’s locker-room speech before the Oregon-Colorado game was an all-timer. Just moments after his team rallied to beat Notre Dame, Ryan Day launched a verbal attack on Lou Holtz. No apologies necessary, gentlemen. This is the juicy, unvarnished material we crave. If every coach was this honest in every press setting, the sportswriting world would be a better place.

Going down: Misquoting

OK, if you’re gonna do this, at least get the content right. Washington State coach Jake Dickert clapped back at ESPN’s Lee Corso, of all people, for purportedly calling the WSU-Oregon State game the “No One Watches Bowl.” Corso actually called it the “No One Wants Us Bowl” — a decent line considering that the Cougars and Beavers were left out of the conference-realignment craziness that splintered the Pac-12. Dickert subsequently said he meant no disrespect toward Corso but was simply frustrated about WSU’s overall predicament. That we can get behind.

A question from my X

“I know we are trying to get away from moral victories … what would be an acceptable score if we lose?” — @TylerQuillin

Jedd Fisch would say there’s no such thing, and I would agree. But based on the point spread, which has hovered around three touchdowns, Arizona is not expected to win or even keep it close. So if it’s a one-score game in the final five minutes, I’d consider that an encouraging sign — especially after a lesser UA team lost by just 10 a year ago in Seattle.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

Threads

Saturday night’s game at Arizona Stadium is a “red-out.” But is it really a red-out if the home team doesn’t wear red? The expectation is that the Wildcats will wear their usual home garb — white helmets with blue jerseys and either blue or white pants. Penn State wears its standard home uniform — white helmets, blue jerseys, white pants — for its annual “white-out” game. So not matching the crowd isn’t uncommon. But wouldn’t it be cool if the Cats ran out of their locker room in retro red jerseys that the program had kept under wraps?

What he said ...

“De Laura and Wiley will work out on Saturday. See how they look. Kind of similar to the Joe Burrow plan, we’ll call it. We’ll see what that looks like. The most important thing that you can do as a football player is protect yourself. So if you’re unable to protect yourself, then I would expect them not to play. If they’re able to protect themselves, then I would expect them to play.” — Fisch

... what he meant

“Look, I know who’s starting Saturday. You guys probably know too. But it doesn’t benefit our team in any way, shape or form to reveal that information before the game. Why should I give Kalen DeBoer an advantage? He’s got enough of them already. I’ll provide more clarity after the game, promise, because I like you guys, I respect the work you do and I appreciate your coverage of our program.”

The other side

Mike Vorel, via The Seattle Times:

Washington’s most impactful roster development this offseason was a wave of returning talent — as quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, left tackle Troy Fautanu and edges Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui each postponed an NFL plunge.

But, beyond that core, the Huskies needed more.

Which is why Kalen DeBoer and Co. added 10 transfers this offseason, with the intention of developing depth and addressing Washington’s weaknesses. ...

In doing so, DeBoer rapidly smoothed his roster’s rougher edges.

With encouraging early returns.

Pick to click (aka #fadelev)

Arizona State is a double-digit underdog at Cal, with the spread ranging from 11.5 to 13 points. I know the Sun Devils are down and banged up. But what have the Golden Bears done to deserve being favored by that much? Since blowing out North Texas, Cal couldn’t execute on offense in a home loss to Auburn; trailed Idaho at the half before winning by two touchdowns; and got blasted by Washington. My colleagues, Brett Fera and Justin Spears, picked ASU to win outright. I’ll happily take those points. (season record: 3-1)

One last thing

Arizona has a history of giving favored and/or ranked UW teams a tough time in Tucson. The Wildcats’ losing streak nearly came to an end against the Huskies in 2021. The ’16 game against No. 9 Washington went to overtime. We all know what happened in 1992.

So what’s that all about?

“It’s a different team; it’s a different year,” Fisch said. “What makes it special is our fans. What makes it special is our environment. What makes it special is Tucson rallies behind the football program when we get rolling.”

Upsets often are a byproduct of the energy that’s unique to college sports.

UA fans need to bring it Saturday night.