Scooby Wright injury: Wildcats LB hurts knee in Arizona football opener

Sep 3, 2015, 8:39 PM | Updated: Sep 4, 2015, 7:02 am

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright left the Wildcats’ season opener against University of Texas-San Antonio with a left knee injury.

Wright’s father told TucsonNewsNow.com’s Anthony Gimino that his son was receiving an MRI and he expected to learn the injury was “not major.” Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez said the same, though he did not want to speculate.

I'll add this: Scooby Wright's dad said before the MRI that the injury was "not major," although that leaves a lot to interpret.

— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) September 4, 2015

RIchRod said he doesn't think Scooby Wright's injury is "a bad ACL" but doesn't want to speculate.

— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) September 4, 2015

Wright was taken out of the game in the first quarter and received an examination by the trainers. He returning to the field briefly before taking off his tape for good in the second quarter.

Sideline reporter Jill Savage captured Wright on the sidelines speaking to his parents about his injury. In the second half, Wright was back on the sideline, wearing street clothes and walking with the help of a single crutch.

Arizona won the game in ugly fashion, holding the Roadrunners off 42-32. Quarterback Anu Solomon completed 22-of-36 passes for 226 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, while running back Nick Wilson rushed for 97 yards on 22 totes.

The Arizona defense, despite allowing 525 yards, scored two touchdowns on a pick-six by linebacker Anthony Lopez and a fumble return by defensive back Jamar Allah.

The Wildcats could be hurting if Wright is out for a long period of time. Before the opener, they also lost linebacker Cody Ippolito for the year.

Wright, a junior, won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2014 after accumulating 163 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles — all of those totals were good enough to rank Wright top five nationally in each category.

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Arizona safety Jamar Allah (7) celebrates with Anthony Lopez (28) and Haden Gregory after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA running back Jalen Rhodes (28) scores a touchdown against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha (21) and Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) sits on the bench after hurting his knee against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA tight end David Morgan II (82) stiff arms Arizona safety Will Parks during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones (1) breaks the tavkle on UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon throws down field against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz (4) throws down field against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones draws the interference penalty on UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver David Richards (4) celebrates with Cayman Bundage after scoring a touchdown against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA's Jarveon Williams (2) runs for a first down against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona fans cheer before an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon passes before an NCAA college football game against the UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA head coach Larry Coker, left, and Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez talk before an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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