Arizona vs. California preview: Wildcats look to start 4-0 for first time since 2010
Sep 20, 2014, 12:08 AM | Updated: 12:08 am
The Arizona Wildcats have started 3-0 in each of Rich Rodriguez’s first three seasons in Tucson.
In 2012, the fourth game saw them get blown out 49-0 at Oregon. In 2013, Washington handled them by a score of 31-13 in Seattle.
Saturday night, the ‘Cats will have a shot to be 4-0 for the first time since 2010 when they host California (2-0) in the Pac-12 opener for both schools. Incidentally, Arizona’s fourth win that season was also against California in Tucson. It was also the last time the Golden Bears visited the Old Pueblo.
But that Arizona team was ranked 14th in the nation heading into that game and had eyes on a Rose Bowl appearance, and while this year’s team has received some votes, it is still very much unproven after beating UNLV, UTSA and Nevada.
Saturday offers another chance to show what they’ve got, though this game presents a very difficult test.
“We had a close game with them last year and we were fortunate to win that game,” Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. “They moved the ball up and down the field and we didn’t block them very well, so I think it’s a situation where they remember the game from last year rather than their record.”
Cal finished last season with a 1-11 record in former Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes’ first season as the school’s head coach, with their losses coming by an average of 25.6 points. However, Arizona only nipped them by five, 33-28, in a game that was a play or two away from possibly going to the home team.
