Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:00 am
RECORDS: Oregon State 7-3, 6-1 Pacific-10 Conference; Arizona 6-4, 4-3
SERIES: Arizona leads 20-10-1
LAST MEETING: Oregon State won 31-16 in 2007
LATEST LINE: Arizona by 3
COACH: Mike Stoops, fifth season (23-33), fifth overall (23-33)
OFFENSE: It's a balanced attack for the Wildcats, ranked fourth in the Pac-10 in rush offense (172.4 ypg), pass offense (240.5 ypg) and total offense (412.9 ypg). The scoring offense is second in the conference (39.7 ppg). … Senior QB Willie Tuitama makes the offense go. He has completed 194 of 305 and thrown for 2,321 yards, 18 TDs and seven INTs. … WR Michael Thomas leads the Pac-10 in receiving with 5.5 catches a game and is second in receiving yards at 67.1 ypg. … RB Nic Grigsby is the leading rusher with 166 carries, 941 yards and 11 TDs. … RB Keola Antolin is an all-purpose threat who averages 73.6 ypg.
DEFENSE: The run defense (138.4 ypg) is sixth in the Pac-10, while the pass defense (168.9 ypg) is third. … The scoring defense is fourth, allowing 22.7 ppg. … S Nate Ness is the team's leading tackler with 64. … DE Brooks Reed is the big pass-rusher with five QB sacks. … CB Trevin Wade is the top cover guy with four INTs. The team has 14 … Arizona is second in the Pac-10 in turnover margin at plus-six.
SPECIAL TEAMS: P Keenyn Crier is second in the Pac-10 with a 43.5 average. … PK Jason Bondzio is 11-for-13 on FGs 45-for-45 on extra points. … Arizona is first in the Pac-10 and second in the nation in punt returns (18.5 average) and ninth in the Pac-10 in kickoff returns (19.4).
NOTABLE: The Wildcats are bowl eligible, and most likely headed to the postseason. Wins in the last two games will improve their standing. … The last bowl game was the 1998 Holiday Bowl. … They are coming off a 55-45 loss at Oregon last weekend.
- Cliff Kirkpatrick