Concerns at quarterback seem to be a trend around the UCLA football these days. So much so that even the Bruins’ opponents are catching the injury bug at the game’s most important position.
While UCLA adjusts to life with Richard Brehaut as the starter and Kevin Prince sidelined for the remainder of the season, Arizona comes into town with a similar situation, albeit one not as drastic.
Junior Nick Foles, the Wildcats’ standout signal-caller, went down with an injury in the team’s win over Washington State. Foles was relieved by Matt Scott, who guided the squad to victory that day and then played exceptionally well in orchestrating another win against Washington.
Now, Foles is listed as questionable for Saturday’s clash in the Rose Bowl. At best, the Wildcats will have two healthy quarterbacks who are both playing high-level football. At worst, they’ll have forced the Bruins to game plan for both. At any rate, Arizona will run an offense similar to the one that bushwhacked the UCLA defense in Eugene Oct. 21.
“We’re preparing for it all,” linebacker Sean Westgate said. “We just played Oregon, who ran the zone read ““ we’re obviously going to have to defend it better. We have to be ready for both guys. If one’s in, we’re going to lean this way, if the other’s in, lean this way.”
Before Foles went down with a knee injury against the Cougars, he had the second-best completion percentage in the nation, as well as the 23rd best passer rating. But if Scott felt any pressure in having to step into those kind of shoes, it hasn’t shown. The junior’s passer rating of 156.3 is essentially identical to Foles’ 156.4, and he has a completion percentage of 72.7 to Foles’ 75.3.
“Matt’s practiced well all year, and has matured a lot through the process,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. “I’m just happy for him that he got an opportunity.”
Scott ““ and most everyone else ““ thought that opportunity was going to come a lot earlier. He was initially going to be the starter at the beginning of the 2009 season before Foles snatched the job and ran with it. That is, until a Washington State defensive lineman rolled into the quarterback’s right leg, and the job became Scott’s, at least for the time being. In his subsequent start, the replacement completed 18 of 22 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, as Arizona blew out Washington.
“Matt has been a great asset to our team through the first seven games,” Stoops said. “He has never complained or made a big deal of losing his position a year ago, so I was happy he got an opportunity and took advantage of it. That’s what good players do.”
Although both Foles and Scott pose significant threats, they do so in slightly different ways. The former is more of an NFL-style pocket passer, while the latter is more of an athlete who can beat teams on the ground as well as through the air. Scott carried the ball seven times for 65 yards against Washington. The difference in styles between the two will make it particularly hard for the Bruins to game plan.
“They pose a great challenge,” UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. “They’re a spread-you-out offense that’s high-tempo. Foles is a very, very good player, a sure NFL prospect. The Scott kid is certainly very athletic and very accurate.”
The Arizona offense ““ while maybe not of the caliber of, say, Oregon ““ has had flashes of brilliance this season. The Wildcats scored 93 total points in their first two games, then put up 34 in a win over vaunted Big Ten power Iowa.
They scored 44 more in the win over Washington. Whichever quarterback gets the nod will have the benefit of directing one of the more balanced offensive units around.
If Scott is the guy, the onus will be on the Bruins to make him uncomfortable but also to ensure that he isn’t able to make plays with his legs.
“We have to find ways to create pressure,” Neuheisel said. “He’s obviously athletic enough to make big plays with his legs. You’ve got to pick your spot as to where you’re going to come after him. Our work will be cut out for us.”