WallyNoche
04-19-2005, 03:01 PM
Austin's progress gives UA options at QB
The former walk-on runs into an aroused defense Saturday, but he may push Kovalcheck in fall.
JOHN MOREDICH
Tucson Citizen
Excuse Adam Austin if he wants to spend the next month in a whirlpool relaxing his body - and mind.
The University of Arizona quarterback has taken part in more than 1,400 plays since spring practice began, with 2004 starter Richard Kovalcheck out after back surgery.
Until last weekend, the former walk-on looked like a legitimate starting prospect in UA's rejuvenated passing game. Austin's one-man show finally slowed down at Saturday's scrimmage, but he still avoided major mistakes.
"I am shocked the kid is even standing," offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. "The kid is spent. I have never had anybody do what this kid has done for us. What he has done is amazing. He has done everything we have asked from him and so much more."
Austin's improvement has been obvious.
UA threw the ball well in every scrimmage until Saturday, when the defense took Austin out of his comfort zone.
The junior, who received a scholarship in January, completed just 20 of 48 passes for 191 yards.
But for the second straight week, the stat of note is that the 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback did not throw an interception.
"This is my dream," Austin said. "I have been waiting for this my whole life. There are tons of people in the world that would love to be in my position. I want to take advantage of it."
The Wildcats' final spring scrimmage is Saturday at Arizona Stadium. It will be one more chance for Austin to show coaches and Kovalcheck that he aims to be a contender for the starting job when practice resumes in August.
Kovalcheck was impressive in his last start, throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona State in the regular-season finale.
The Wildcats also have freshman Willie Tuitama from St. Mary's High School in Stockton, Calif., arriving in the fall.
"Adam has shown great poise and great toughness. It has been a great learning experience for him," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "We feel quarterback will be a strength of our team, regardless who it is. Adam will have the opportunity to compete for the position. We have Richard, who should be healthy in another month.
"Competition breeds success, and that is what this program desperately needs across the board."
The biggest change in Austin is his ability to shore up his primary weakness, reading defenses.
Being a scout team quarterback the past two seasons, he was told where and when to throw. He has been doing just the opposite this spring, being told instead to read all defenses and then react for the past three weeks.
"I am starting to notice the defenses better, knowing where they are coming from, where the blitzes are and knowing what to check out of," Austin said. "Just getting the reps, seeing it on the field and watching film every day has really helped."
But just as with every quarterback, there will be off days. The entire offensive unit had one Saturday after controlling the defense for much of the spring.
UA's defense had enough of the one-sided affair. It got nine sacks and six other tackles for loss and limited the offense to 299 total yards in the 70-plus-play intrasquad scrimmage.
"The defense was really upset. All week they were hitting us pretty hard," defensive end Copeland Bryan said. "We decided to come out and really stick it to them."
Bryan was the catalyst on defense, getting three sacks. Linebackers Ronnie Palmer and Dane Krogstad led the team with six tackles apiece.
The former walk-on runs into an aroused defense Saturday, but he may push Kovalcheck in fall.
JOHN MOREDICH
Tucson Citizen
Excuse Adam Austin if he wants to spend the next month in a whirlpool relaxing his body - and mind.
The University of Arizona quarterback has taken part in more than 1,400 plays since spring practice began, with 2004 starter Richard Kovalcheck out after back surgery.
Until last weekend, the former walk-on looked like a legitimate starting prospect in UA's rejuvenated passing game. Austin's one-man show finally slowed down at Saturday's scrimmage, but he still avoided major mistakes.
"I am shocked the kid is even standing," offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. "The kid is spent. I have never had anybody do what this kid has done for us. What he has done is amazing. He has done everything we have asked from him and so much more."
Austin's improvement has been obvious.
UA threw the ball well in every scrimmage until Saturday, when the defense took Austin out of his comfort zone.
The junior, who received a scholarship in January, completed just 20 of 48 passes for 191 yards.
But for the second straight week, the stat of note is that the 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback did not throw an interception.
"This is my dream," Austin said. "I have been waiting for this my whole life. There are tons of people in the world that would love to be in my position. I want to take advantage of it."
The Wildcats' final spring scrimmage is Saturday at Arizona Stadium. It will be one more chance for Austin to show coaches and Kovalcheck that he aims to be a contender for the starting job when practice resumes in August.
Kovalcheck was impressive in his last start, throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona State in the regular-season finale.
The Wildcats also have freshman Willie Tuitama from St. Mary's High School in Stockton, Calif., arriving in the fall.
"Adam has shown great poise and great toughness. It has been a great learning experience for him," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "We feel quarterback will be a strength of our team, regardless who it is. Adam will have the opportunity to compete for the position. We have Richard, who should be healthy in another month.
"Competition breeds success, and that is what this program desperately needs across the board."
The biggest change in Austin is his ability to shore up his primary weakness, reading defenses.
Being a scout team quarterback the past two seasons, he was told where and when to throw. He has been doing just the opposite this spring, being told instead to read all defenses and then react for the past three weeks.
"I am starting to notice the defenses better, knowing where they are coming from, where the blitzes are and knowing what to check out of," Austin said. "Just getting the reps, seeing it on the field and watching film every day has really helped."
But just as with every quarterback, there will be off days. The entire offensive unit had one Saturday after controlling the defense for much of the spring.
UA's defense had enough of the one-sided affair. It got nine sacks and six other tackles for loss and limited the offense to 299 total yards in the 70-plus-play intrasquad scrimmage.
"The defense was really upset. All week they were hitting us pretty hard," defensive end Copeland Bryan said. "We decided to come out and really stick it to them."
Bryan was the catalyst on defense, getting three sacks. Linebackers Ronnie Palmer and Dane Krogstad led the team with six tackles apiece.