Oregon State @ Arizona preview
Arizona Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2009 ) Arizona 37, Oregon State 32
Fast-rising Arizona finds itself in territory that has been off-limits to the school for more than a decade – among the ranks of the unbeaten through four games.
The No. 11 Wildcats are vying to start 5-0 for the first time since the 1998 season when they host Oregon State in a Pacific-10 Conference game Saturday.
Arizona, which is coming off a bye, is chasing the standard set by the 1993 squad that started a school-best 7-0 under Dick Tomey. The Wildcats have already defeated Iowa and fellow Pac-10 foe California this season and are aiming to challenge Oregon for the conference crown.
Oregon State (2-2, 1-0) is hoping to catch fire after defeating Arizona State 31-28 last Saturday. The Beavers will have both Rodgers brothers back on the field with the return of receiver James Rodgers, who suffered a concussion against Boise State on Sept. 25.
Running back Jacquizz Rodgers (398 yards) had a season-best 145 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over the Sun Devils, but he faces a much better defense in the Wildcats.
Arizona ranks second in total defense (230.8 yards per game) and third in scoring defense (11.0) nationally. The Wildcats have allowed just three touchdowns, all to Iowa in a 34-27 victory on Sept. 18.
Defensive ends Ricky Elmore (16 career sacks) and Brooks Reed (13) lead the charge up front and cornerback Trevin Wade (10 career interceptions) is the main man in the secondary.
Oregon State sophomore quarterback Ryan Katz is coming off his best performance of the season. He passed for 260 yards and two scores against Arizona State.
Though Katz is in his first season as a starter, the Beavers have yet to commit a turnover. They are the only major college team to be error-free in that category.
Katz, however, can’t match the level of play shown by Arizona quarterback Nick Foles, who has completed an incredible 74.5 percent of his passes. Foles has passed for 1,089 yards and six touchdowns. He has been intercepted four times.
Wildcats receiver Juron Criner has been plagued by a bout with turf toe and the timing of the bye came in handy for him. Criner is averaging 18.5 yards per catch (19 receptions for 352 yards) and has scored two touchdowns. David Douglas has a team-best 22 receptions.
Nic Grigsby leads Arizona in rushing with 252 yards.
Oregon State’s defense has forced eight turnovers – six interceptions, two fumbles – and was instrumental in the victory over Arizona State with three interceptions and six sacks. Defensive tackle Stephen Paea had two of the sacks.
Beavers cornerback James Dockery clinched both of Oregon State’s victories with late-game interceptions, first against Louisville and then last Saturday against the Sun Devils. Dockery has three interceptions.
Oregon State’s two losses were to TCU and Boise State, both currently ranked in the top five.