California @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) Arizona 16, California 24

Just when it appeared the Arizona Wildcats were about to blow out Iowa last week, the Hawkeyes roared back to tie the score.

That’s when Arizona quarterback Nick Foles proved that both he and the Wildcats were the real deal.

Foles led the Wildcats on a lighting-fast, 72-yard trip down the field capped by a 4-yard scoring pass to Bug Wright and Arizona survived 34-27.

With the win, Arizona jumped to No. 16 in the coaches poll. The Wildcats host high-scoring California in the Pac-10 opener for both teams Saturday night in Tucson.

After last week’s winning touchdown, Arizona resurrected its Desert Swarm defense by sacking Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi four straight times as the Hawkeyes tried to get the tying score in the game’s final minute. What could have been a disaster in the desert, should Arizona have blown the 20-point lead and lost, instead left the Wildcats re-evaluating their long-term goals for the season. A Pac-10 title now seems legitimate.

The first test comes Saturday.

Arizona is paced by Foles, who has thrown to 11 receivers. He’s connected on 79 percent of his passes for 877 yards and five touchdowns in his first three games. Running back Nic Grigsby has five touchdowns, rushing for 187 yards at an average of 5.7 yards.

There is one ominous note for the Wildcats as they enter this contest. Last season Arizona was ranked 18th entering the Cal game, its highest ranking of the season. Cal then went out and handed the Cats a 24-16 setback and knocked them out of the final season poll.

California, which fell out of the Top 25 after losing 52-31 at Nevada last week, is led by its own touted quarterback, Kevin Riley, who is 13th in the nation in passing efficiency (165.3). Riley has thrown for eight touchdown passes and 732 yards in three games.

And running back Shane Vereen is off to a monster start. Running behind a veteran offensive line, Vereen has rushed for 324 yards and six touchdowns on just 49 carries.

Arizona held Iowa to just 29 net yards rushing last week and begins the game ranked No. 6 in the country in passing offense (330.3) and No. 3 in total defense (220.3).

On the injury front, wide receiver Juron Criner did not play in the second half Saturday with what is being diagnosed as turf toe. He is listed as questionable. It is possible he will miss this game as the Wildcats are idle next week.

For Cal, linebacker Mike Mohamed sprained his left big toe in the week two and was forced to sit out the Nevada loss. The senior led the Pac-10 in tackles last year (112) and is questionable for Arizona.