Countdown to Kickoff ’09: 19 days to UA vs. Central Michigan
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This is a continuation of WILDABOUTAZCATS.com’s countdown to Arizona’s football season-opener vs. Central Michigan at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 5. If you have suggestions in the days leading to kickoff who is the best player with that uniform number let us know through our “Contact” page. Also feel free to comment if you differ with our choice.
MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT:
>>Cats enjoy team-building day (www.ArizonaWildcats.com)
>>Offense struggles in scrimmage (WildcatSportsReport.com)
Defensive back, Allan Durden (1982-85). Started the run of UA’s all-conference safeties from San Diego’s Helix High School, followed by Chuck Cecil and Jeff Hammerschmidt. Durden, a UA Hall of Famer who returned an interception for a touchdown 96 yards against LSU in 1984, garnered All-American honors as a senior. Everybody likes to talk about Dick Tomey‘s Desert Swarm as the best defense in UA history. Durden and the 1983 defense coach by Larry Smith have an argument. Members of that defense (look at these names): linebackers Ricky Hunley, Lamonte Hunley and Byron Evans; outside linebackers John Kaiser and Steve Boadway; defensive tackles Joe Drake, David Wood, John Barthalt and Ivan Lesnik; cornerbacks Randy Robbins and Greg Turner; safeties Durden and Lynnden Brown. The UA ranked No. 6 nationally against the run, allowing only 98.3 yards a game. The defense had 17 interceptions, 17 fumble recoveries and four blocked kicks.
ARIZONA’S CURRENT NO. 19: William Wright, WR, Soph., 5-9, 175, Tatum (OK) Pauls Valley HS. Will contend for a starting role as one inside receiver, and potential top kick returner, in 2009. True freshman letter-winner in ’08. Three catches for 42 yards as reserve in season opener against Idaho in 2008. Two punt returns, one for 55 yards at UCLA. Seven kickoff returns including best of 28 yards at New Mexico. Solid ’09 spring portends a good all-purpose role for Wright. Information provided by the UA Sports Information Department.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN REPORTS
>>CMU BLOG UPDATES (Sun Sports Blog)
>>Chippewa receiving corps has unlimited potential (Mount Pleasant, MI, Morning Sun)
>>Chippewas hit the pads (Morning Sun)
>>Jones’ eye for detail key to Chippewas’ success (Morning Sun)
>>Olson and Weaver the focus as CMU begins practice (Morning Sun)
>>Chippewas report for training camp to start 2009 season (Morning Sun)
NOTE: WILDABOUTAZCATS.COM will run a similar countdown toward Sean Miller’s inaugural season opener, starting when the season tip-off is 55 days away. The season-opener is Sun., Nov. 15, against Northern Arizona at McKale Center, which is 90 days away.
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Tags: Allan Durden, UA football countdown, William Wright
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on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 at 9:26 PM and is filed under UA football countdown 2009.
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August 17th, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I love this selection! I actually knew Allan casually – we shared mutual friends my freshman year, so I met him on several occasions. He was very nice and I liked the fact that he was as serious about his education as he was about football. I followed his career for several years.