California coach Jeff Tedford was using history to make a point this week when he cautioned the No. 8 Golden Bears not to look past this week's game at Arizona. Cal (8-1, 6-0 Pacific-10 Conference) plays at No. 7 USC next week. But that game won't mean as much if the Golden Bears trip over Arizona (4-5, 2-4) at 12:30 p.m. today. A year ago, UCLA was 8-0 and in the Bowl Championship Series picture before traveling to Tucson to play the Wildcats, then 2-5. The result? Arizona bushwhacked UCLA 52-14. "That's a reminder of what can happen if you're not ready to play," Tedford said.
Arizona might be starting to put the pieces together. The Wildcats beat Washington State 27-17 in the Palouse last week. Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama returned after missing two weeks because of concussions to complete 10 of 17 passes. Tailback Chris Henry, a converted linebacker, rushed for 94 yards on 35 carries. "We played well against a very good defense," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "We finally made some plays offensively and controlled the clock." The Wildcats will need more of the same against an explosive Cal team that leads the Pac-10 in passing offense and averages 36.3 points per game. If Stoops has his way and Arizona can keep from being blown out early, Henry might get the ball another 35 times.
Stoops will do whatever it takes. The victory last week kept the Wildcats in the bowl picture and, perhaps, took a little heat off Stoops, who is in his third year as coach and still is looking for a winning season. "I know they'll be fired up after a big win," Tedford said. "I know the fans will be fired up. It will be a hostile environment, no question. They always play hard. Coach Stoops has them playing hard, physical football. There is no question we'll get their best effort."
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