Arizona coach Mike Stoops says the level of competition takes a significant jump on Saturday when the Wildcats entertain ninth ranked Iowa. Arizona is 2-0 after lopsided wins over Toledo and the Citadel. Stoops says it will be “far and away” the best offensive line an best quarterback they’ve seen this year. He says Iowa quarterback Ricki Stanzi does a great job running the offense very efficiently in the run and play action passing game.
Stoops says the Wildcats know what to expect from the Hawkeyes, who won last year’s match up 27-17 in Iowa City. He says playing them lets them know the physical nature that Iowa plays and how they try to get their big plays.
Stoops says a defense cannot afford to try and shut down one segment of the Iowa offense. He says they have so many good players that they stretch things across the board. Stoops says they make you stay disciplined in a lot of ways.
Stoops played safety for Iowa under Hayden Fry in the 1980s and there was a lot of attention focused on him leading up to last year’s game. He’s happy to avoid the spotlight this week. Stoops says it has meaning, but once the ball is kicked, he is coaching his team. Stoops says he wishes Iowa great success in everything except for Saturday’s game.