MCT 2007

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Idaho's Deonte` Jackson is just like his famous uncle, St. Louis Rams tailback Steven Jackson.

With a few exceptions.

"We have pretty much the same style — but it's a little different package," Idaho's sophomore running back said. "He's about 6 feet 3 inches. I'm about 5-8, so we're a little different. I can use my speed to get around some guys. He weighs a lot more, so he can just pull a bulldozer on some people. But there are some similarities."

Notably, production.

Deonte` Jackson rushed for 1,175 yards last season as a freshman, about three times his uncle's total as an Oregon State freshman in 2001. He is expected to bring some big-play ability to a Vandals team in desperate need of a spark.

Jackson will start at tailback tonight.

"I think Jackson, offensively, is a guy you have to be aware of at all times," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "He can 'crease' you, and he's a phenomenal runner at what they do. He's a big-time player."

Jackson and Idaho are an admittedly odd fit.

He committed to the school, sight unseen, after then-coach Dennis Erickson offered him a scholarship over the phone in 2006. Erickson coached Steven Jackson at Oregon State and apparently liked what he saw from the star's undersized nephew.

Deonte` said he was an easy sell.

"I told 'Coach E' that I was his man," he said. "I was down."

Erickson tried to get Deonte` Jackson to follow him to Arizona State a few months later when the coach took a new job, but the tailback — who redshirted as a true freshman in '06 — decided to stay in Moscow, Idaho. It paid off.

Jackson was named Idaho's Offensive Player of the Year last season, despite battling three injuries: cracked ribs, a high-ankle sprain and a fractured vertebra in his neck.

"I have very high expectations for Deonte` Jackson," Idaho coach Robb Akey said.

"A lot of people look at him and say, 'That's an undersized back' and question his durability. He showed that he could be durable last year."

Arizona quarterback Matt Scott will start his college career on the sidelines.

What happens after that will remain a closely guarded secret.

The Wildcats' standout freshman figures to play in some capacity, whether it's in short yardage or running situations, or in "mop-up" time at the end of a possible blowout.

Coach Mike Stoops has been tight-lipped about Scott's role, except to say that coaches would "like to get him some snaps in certain situations."

Scott isn't going to elaborate, either.

"I don't know what to expect right now. Any time they need me, I'll be ready," he said. "We'll see what happens. It'll be exciting if I do; if I don't, I'll wait my turn."

Scott saw some time with the first-team offense in training camp, often bringing with him a run-heavy package out of the shotgun set. But he struggled in the final two scrimmages, often muffing center exchanges and misreading defensive schemes.

Scott said he will do his best to be prepared when his opportunity comes. He will start today by going over the offense "to make sure everything's fresh in my mind." Then, he'll wait.

John McCain and Barack Obama have something in common with the University of Idaho's mascot.

All three are running for president.

Joe Vandal, Idaho's bearded cartoonish barbarian, has set up a Web site — www.joevandal4president.com — and MySpace page dedicated to his candidacy.

He spent the summer "campaigning" throughout the state of Idaho.

Idaho will take the field tonight with a different look — and, not surprisingly, Nike is involved.

Coach Robb Akey announced this week that his team will sport new helmet logos, jerseys and pants in the 2008 season as part of a new contract with Nike. Even their helmet color has been tweaked to "a better gold," he said.

"They're going to look a little different," Akey said. "Everybody's going to have to come to the (Kibbie) Dome next week to see them or get down to Tucson to see what the road gear looks like."

The switch should give Idaho some instant clout during a rebuilding process.

It may even help recruiting.

"It's a bigger factor than you want to think," Akey said.

"There are some kids out there that will go to a place because they have a swoosh, and won't go to another place because they don't. Nike has that respect because it makes (players) feel more comfortable, more first-class."

Arizona's Xavier Kelley, on the Wildcats' locker room before a game:

"There's a lot of iPod music going on. About 10 minutes before the game, a little Metallica's going to kick in, and a lot of people are going to start going crazy.

"It's going to be a really hyped atmosphere. There's going to be a lot of crazy stuff going on in the locker room. it's hard to explain."

1. Fireworks! The pre-game blasts take us by surprise every game. What a cool way to usher in the home team.

2. The floating trademark symbol: The "Pride of Arizona" marching band is at its tongue-in-cheek best when the trademark sign appears as they form the "block A" logo. Beats Ohio State's "dotting the i" any day.

3. Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight": Nothing says "football season" like the 1981 pop hit. Seriously. Get to Arizona Stadium early and listen to the music echo off the empty seats.

● Date: Sept. 8, 2001

● What went down: The Arizona Wildcats and first-year coach John Mackovic improved to 2-0 with a 36-29 win over the Vandals at Arizona Stadium. The victory came with some disturbing signs, however: Idaho scored 29 fourth-quarter points to climb back in the game.

The Wildcats, who led 29-0 and 36-7 in the fourth quarter, did just enough to hang on.

● Turning point: Arizona quarterback Jason Johnson and wide receiver Brandon Marshall combined on the longest play in program history, a 99-yard catch-and-run that made it 15-0 in the second quarter. The long pass was set up by an interception by Michael Jolivette.

● Stats that matter: Johnson completed 20 of 30 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Arizona finished a perfect 3 for 3 in the red zone. Idaho racked up 272 yards in the fourth quarter alone after posting just 207 in the first three periods. Vandals quarterback John Welsh completed 28 of 49 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns.

● It's history: The Wildcats improved to 3-0 with a 38-21 win over UNLV in Week 3 but struggled the rest of the season. They finished 5-6 in 2001, 4-8 in 2002 and 2-10 in 2003. Mackovic was fired midway through the '03 season.

NASCAR star Kurt Busch told the UA football team on Wednesday that he is "a big Wildcat fan."

Little did Busch know: He has a fan in Mike Stoops.

The Wildcats' coach has been following NASCAR for about 10 years, dating to his time as Kansas State's co-defensive coordinator.

Stoops met Jimmie Johnson at an Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game last November — "he had just won the Cup," Stoops said.

Stoops was thrilled to see Busch on Wednesday. He even asked the racer about restrictor plates.

"There's nothing to watch on a Sunday afternoon in the summer; I watch it a lot more in May, June, July and August," Stoops said.

"I watched the Bristol race the other night; I thought it was kind of funny when Carl Edwards knocked Kyle (Busch) out. It's good to watch the competition and see how those guys get pretty fired up too."

Devin Ross doesn't need to be reminded of who he's replacing in the Arizona Wildcats' starting lineup.

All the junior has to do is look up.

Cornerback Antoine Cason's name has been added to the UA's Ring of Honor on the West side of Arizona Stadium.

Cason earned his way into the ring by being named a first-team All-American and winning the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back.

"I noticed the other day during practice that his name was up there," Ross said. "That's a big accomplishment, and it's good to see."

The Wildcats have also added the names of New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce and former NFL offensive lineman Mike Dawson. The Ring of Honor was established in 1998 to honor Arizona players who either earned national awards, played 10 or more seasons in the NFL or led the NCAA in major statistical categories.