Raising Arizona

Will the last one to leave please turn out the lights? Folks, unfortunately this seasons "Quest" is over. Arizona went into the bowl favored by three but might as well been favored by ten with the embarrasing performance. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, look at the photos and sadly they pretty much sums things up. It was supposed to be a bright picture heading into the season returning all the offensive weapons. The Cougs were to add another MWC crown. They were predicted to be this years collegiate BCS buster. Virtually the entire starting OL would be in the trenches again. However, there isn't always that fairy tale ending. Saturdays outing was no fairy tale (if anything was a nightmare) that included mental mistakes, sloppy plays, turnovers and too many penalties. The talent was there but certainly not the execution. Yes the bitterness and bleeding will stop but will take some time to lick the wounds, head back to the boards and make some adjustments(Photo Credit Max/Tom Smart & Reed/Trent Neilson).

With the wildcats first postseason victory in 10 years the Cougs now have lost 5 of their last 7 bowl appearances. Willie Tuitama saturday looked like a Heisman candidate throwing 24 of 35 for 325 yards with 2 TDs and no interceptions. It seemed the Cougar defense had no answers and the offense threw away missed opportunities (3 missed FGs and 2 fumbles for starters). In the losing effort Austin Collie extended his consecutive 100 yard receiving games to 11 with 119. Constantly taking the backseat to Collie was Michael Reed who ended his collegiate career with 9 catches for 117 yards. Reed's playmaking on the field will be missed whether it was making the difficult catches or simply blocking downfield paving the way for Collie.

Yes, the mistakes hurt but great teams find a way to fight through adversity. Vakapuna went down early with a shoulder seperation and did not return. Fui's contribution played a vital role in helping Unga steamroll to yet another 1000 yard season.

Likely the biggest question on everyone's mind concerns Collie. Will he be back? Max has said he believe's he's staying another year. If it were you would you stay? When money talks one can't blame the who owns the most Cougar receiving yards in history (as well as in a single season) if he leaves.