By JOHN MOREDICH
University of Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason loves the challenge of locking down an opposing wide receiver. California corner Daymeion Hughes seconds that notion. Both are among the 11 semifinalists named Tuesday for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back. It is an honor Cason has been determined to win since being recruited by UA coach Mike Stoops. "When I was being recruited by coach Stoops, when he came for my in-home visit, my uncle (former New York Jets wide receiver Ken-yon Rambo) asked, 'How are you going to help my nephew win the Jim Thorpe Award,' " Cason said. "It was in a joking manner, but it was a goal I set out to do." Cason has seldom been tested for long, especially deep, because opponents respect him enough to go elsewhere.
Opponents still have not learned about throwing in the direction of California senior Hughes, who has picked off eight passes this season. "Hughes is a pretty good DB. He has a lot of interceptions and he makes a lot of plays, and that is what you have to do at this position," Cason said. Don't look for the Wildcats to test Hughes too often in the 1:30 p.m. homecoming game Saturday at Arizona Stadium. The smart move is to go in the other direction from No. 13. Despite Hughes' ability, teams have thrown for good yards on the Golden Bears. But looks can be deceiving.
Cal is 113th nationally in pass defense, allowing 256 yards per game, but teams have thrown more to come from behind because California has outscored its foes 209-97 in the first half.
"They have great speed in the secondary. They possess problems across the board," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "Statistics are sometimes misleading when you look at Cal. They get up on so many people so fast, some of their second-team players play a lot. They get guys experience late in games and get a lot of junk yards. They are very good." Hughes is the best of the bunch. He has 15 interceptions in his career, returning four for touchdowns. "I've always known he's a very good player, but you can really tell this year that not only physically he is playing very well, but his instincts are a notch above,'' Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "He breaks so well on the football, and you can tell that he's an experienced player out there. He's really had a solid year so far." It will be up to quarterback Willie Tuitama to hook up with either Syndric Steptoe, Mike Thomas or Anthony Johnson against Hughes. Cason is likely to lock on to the Bears' sensational receiver, DeSean Jackson, considered one of the most explosive players nationally. "It is fun. It is fun to go against good guys in the Pac-10," Cason said. "I'm excited to play against guys like this." Cason usually can get the job done. "I set my goals high, as I do every week, and if I finish up the season as well as I think I can, I will be OK and the team will be OK as well," he said.
The 6-foot, 182-pound cornerback, listed among the best by several preseason magazines, is third on the team in tackles with 50 and has two tackles for losses, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Cason was last week's Pac-10 defensive player of the week in UA's 27-17 victory over Washington State after making six tackles, while also knocking down four passes and recovering a fumble. "I feel like I am reaching my peak potential for now, but I still have a lot left," Cason said. "I'm still working." The list of finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award will be trimmed to three Nov. 20, with the winner announced on the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 7.
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