Arizona Wildcats 2-0 Overall (0-0 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Arizona 34 – Northern Arizona 17

Next Week’s Opponent: @Iowa

The Wildcats were not overly impressive in their win over Northern Arizona but it was a workmanlike effort that resulted in a comfortable victory. What amazes me about this team right now is that Sonny Dykes has kept the offense pretty basic to this point and yet the unit still managed to finish with 559 yards of total offense against NAU.

Nic Grigsby had a career high 207 yards rushing, including a 94 yards scramble that was the second longest run in school history. UA finished with an impressive 365 yards on the ground, and if the ‘Cats can continue to get that kind of production it should take the pressure off of Matt Scott and allow for the passing game to get going. Scott had a decent day against the Lumberjacks, finishing 14/20 for 150 yards 1 TD, 1 INT. Nick Foles made his 2009 debut, showing off an impressive arm and finishing with a solid performance (6/8 44 yards 1 TD), but the coaching staff has made it clear that Scott is still the starter.

Defensively, I think CB Trevin Wade is going to make life miserable for Pac-10 teams this year. The ‘Cats secondary is good overall, but Wade seems to be able intercept anything in his area (finished with two picks vs. NAU).

DC Mark Stoops was not happy with the defensive intensity in the game (allowed 17 points and two TD passes), but I think that was a result of playing an inferior opponent.

Now Arizona will make the trip to Iowa City to play the Iowa Hawkeyes. I have not been impressed with Iowa through two games, but UA must still be ready for a battle. Word around Tucson is that TE Rob Gronkowski may be available. If that’s true, it will be a huge boost for the offense and should make it much easier for Scott to navigate the stingy Iowa defense.