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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 2001)
Arizona continued from page 2B Speaking of the Cougars, Jason Gesser and company pounded Ari zona last week en route to a 48-21 win in Tucson, Ariz. What was originally marked to be a strong matchup of two surprising teams turned real ugly, real quick. Washington State came out with 28 early points against the Wildcat defense, only to see Arizona quick ly score 21 points of its own. How ever, those would be the first and only points the Wildcats would score, as the Cougars came back with 20 unanswered points. After the game, Johnson knows he has to play better for the team to survive. He completed 13 passes on 25 attempts for 184 yards. He also threw an interception on the third play of the game, setting the tone in the blowout. “I’ve got to take the blame for the slow start because I’m the quarter back,” Johnson told the Arizona Daily Wildcat. “It was a tough loss, and we’ve got to hand it to them.” Mackovic knows that for the Wildcats to survive in the Pac-10, Oregon is a crucial opponent. “Oregon is a really good team,” he said. “They see this as a key Pac 10 game, so they will be ready to play like that. Their very best will be on display Saturday, so we have to raise our level of play this week.” The Arizona defense must play strong to contain the sluggish yet po tentially explosive Oregon offense. The Pac-lO’s fourth ranked defense features junior linebacker Lance Briggs and sophomore cornerback Michael Jolivette. Jolivette, known best by Oregon fans as the player who had his helmet knocked off by Ducks’ linebacker Wesly Mallard last season, has two interceptions this season, including a key one against Idaho in the Wildcats’ second win. But none of this matters if Ari zona doesn’t come to play. “We have to go back to work and go about our business,” Mackovic said. “Football is a high-perform ance game, and you can try hard, but you still have to perform. We have to make sure that the players understand what they need to do this week.” s Mallard continued from page 3B * knee injury, Mallard recorded 26 tackles last season as a specialist and back-up linebacker. “Wesly Mallard is the best outside linebacker in the Pac-10. He’s the fastest, most physical player I’ve ever played with." Keith Lewis Oregon safety Now, the man with the coinci dental name is starring in a starter’s role. “Wesly Mallard is the best out side linebacker in the Pac-10.,”. sophomore safety Keith Lewis said. “He’s the fastest, most physi cal player I’ve ever played with.” The most improvement this sea son has come from Mallard’s men tal preparation. “Wesly is much improved,” head coach Mike Bellotti said. “He’s always had the physical tools, but he is spending more time as a student of the game, being able to prepare himself mentally to uti lize his physical skills and the gifts he has. I’m very pleased with his progress.” “Wes works hard on and off the field, all season,” Lewis said. “He’s very physically defined ... and it will all pay off in the long run.” Whether the “long run” is lead ing the Ducks to the Rose Bowl or entering the National Football League, Mallard is sure to be ready, in all aspects of his game, and re membered as a person. • Close to Campus • Clean • Handicap Accessible Machines • Serving the Area for 26 years 240 E. 17th (between High & Pearl) back to school special $i 7 am-6 pm WEEKDAYS Thai Oct. 12th people., y 'reip fm. y/e*/ espes/etce. Don't miss out. Work for your college paper. For more information on how to freelance for the Oregon Daily Emerald call 346-551 1. Oregon Daily Emerald Preview continued from page 2B the Wildcats reeling. Arizona fin ished the season with five straight losses, which shut the Wildcats out of the bowl picture and even tually got then-head coach Dick Tomey fired. Now, with Mackovic at the helm, the Wildcats are out to prove that they are a changed team and an up set victory over the Ducks (4-0) could go a long way for them. “Their very best play will be on display Saturday, so we have to raise our level of play,” Mackovic said. “Not to be unfair, but they haven’t [ All Ways Travel 1 1200 High St. 1338-4199 [Student Travel Experts''-- J played at the same level for all of their games as they did against Wis consin. We haven’t played at the same level for that matter.” The Wildcats didn’t look sharp in their 48-21 loss to Washington State last week, but the Ducks are not taking them lightly. Arizona quarterback Jason Johnson has thrown seven touchdown passes this season, including a school and Pac-10 record 99-yarder, and soph omore halfback Clarence Farmer has already recorded a 100-yard game and two 90-yard outings. “It’s an uphill climb from here be cause every team in the Pac-10 is good and has a chance to knock you off at any time,” Oregon linebacker David Moretti said. “There aren’t any weeks off, that’s for sure.” Bellotti has stressed over the past couple weeks that his team needs to become ‘Toad warriors.” The Ducks passed their first road test last week with their 38-21 victory at Utah State, but now comes the challenge of a Pac-10 foe in a hos tile environment. “I really believe that the team that can stay healthy and continue to improve all season long is the one that has the best chance in this conference,” Bellotti said. “And we get our first real test, in my mind, this week.” 0124531 EUGENE • Hardware • Electrical • Plumbing • Paint • Lawn & Garden • Housewares 012123 DUCKS! 342-5191 2825 Willamette - Eugene, Oregon
