Arizona beats Toledo 24-17 in OT.
Saturday’s season opener at Arizona Stadium proved to be an eye-opener for Wildcat fans and players alike. While most were expecting an easy victory for the Cats, the Toledo Rockets showed up more prepared than Arizona anticipated, pushing the game into a surprising overtime. The first quarter was tough for the Wildcats, both offensively with just a 26-yard field goal and defensively by allowing Toledo to convert 8 of 10 3rd down tries to keep their drives alive. As they entered halftime with a 14-10 deficit, many fans were restless, confused as to how Arizona could be losing to a school from the MAC. Proving that fans had certainly underestimated Toledo and perhaps it was to be expected considering that Arizona had won the last two meetings in 2010 and 2008 with scores of 41-2 and 41-16, respectively.
Both teams’ offenses stalled in the second half. Arizona’s John Bonano missed two field goal attempts, prompting unfavorable student section response (items being thrown to the field, derogatory chants, and many a twitter rant) and many comparisons to Alex Zendejas . Zendejas, Arizona’s former kicker, struggled with field goals and extra points much to the dismay of the Cats. But at least Arizona’s defense could boast the fact that Toledo’s only score in the second half came with fourth quarter field goal to tie the game at 17 all. And thanks to the defensive pressure, Toledo’s knack for converting 3rd downs seemingly vanished in the second half.
In addition to the 6 missed points from field goal attempts, Arizona also missed out on a possible 14 points from touchdowns that were called back due to fouls committed during the plays . Had the Wildcats held onto those 20 points, the game would have surely ended in regulation, putting the Rockets away earlier, rather than later.
Quarterback Matt Scott, in his first start since 2010, utilized a fast paced game to keep momentum in Arizona’s favor. The senior was 30-46 for 387 yards, 2 touchdowns (1 interception), including the game-winner to Terrence Miller in overtime (what a way for Miller to remember his first career touchdown catch). Scott also had 74 of the team’s 237 rushing yards.
Terrence Miller. Photo courtesy of Larry Hogan/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Overall, the Arizona Wildcats battled through crucial errors in order to come out on top in Rich Rodriguez’s first ever debut win. Next week, Arizona faces the challenge of Oklahoma State. OK St. opened their season with an 84-0 victory over Savannah St. In Arizona’s last two meetings with the Cowboys, the Wildcats have lost 37-14 (2011) and 36-10 (2010-Alamo Bowl), but that was when the Cowboys had quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon, both 1st round NFL Draft picks this past April. The preview for that game will be up on Wednesday, September 5th.
From the heart of Wildcat Country, Bear Down.
