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When October arrives, Cats can't catch a breakArizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.01.2008
Happy October.
Now brace yourself.
October has been the cruelest month for the Arizona Wildcats when it comes to wins. The UA is 3-14, and winless at home, since coach Mike Stoops took over in 2004.
The Wildcats' October victories can be counted on one hand — or in one sentence: 2005 against Oregon State, 2006 over Stanford, and last year against Washington.
Arizona (3-1 overall, 1-0 Pac-10) could catch a break Saturday. Washington (0-4, 0-2) is the only team in the Pac-10 that has posted a worse October mark in the last four years.
UW has won just one game, a 2004 nonconference tilt against San Jose State. The Huskies' coach, Keith Gilbertson, was fired after the season. Tyrone Willingham is 0-11 in October as the Huskies' coach.
When it comes to Arizona's struggles, Stoops doesn't put much stock in such a small sample size. When you've posted seasons of 3-8, 3-8, 6-6 and 5-7, he said, bad months are bound to happen.
"We haven't had a lot of great months — besides November," he said. "You can get way too analytical. We just didn't play well enough to win. We're a better team (this year) and that should equate to more wins — in my eyes."
The key to turning around a bad run — whether it's in October or the nine seasons without a bowl game — is distancing the past from the present.
Arizona's coaches have posted the 2008 schedule inside the Jimenez Practice Facility. At the bottom, it reads "bowl game: to be determined." Players have bragged about their renewed commitment after a 5-7 season.
"There's not really any carry-over from year to year," offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said.
"We have to stay focused and working hard. Obviously, you have to learn from your mistakes — that's the important thing — but it's different from year to year. We didn't do anything different last October than we did the rest of the year."
Safety Nate Ness said the Wildcats try not to think about their past struggles — even if it is October.
"It's a new year," he said. "A new team."
October numbers
Over the last four years, the Wildcats have struggled when October rolled around.
3-14
The UA's October record under Mike Stoops
More October woes, Page C3
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