Pondering the Pigskin

The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears 24-20 in an exhibition game played in Chicago on Saturday. The Cardinals converted a fourth and 20 and scored with approximately one minute left in the game to pull out the victory. Arizona will host the San Diego Chargers on Aug. 31. The Charger game could be more meaningful than most to players on the bubble and because the Cardinals have a first week bye that makes in more imperative to get the starters considerable playing time.

None of the Arizona colleges were in action last week, but two will take the field tomorrow. The Wildcats are in San Diego to meet the San Diego State Spartans and the Lumberjacks will host the Cal State-Riverside Matadors in a Big Sky Conference game. Arizona State will wait a week to host the San Diego State Matadors.

The Arizona Wildcats will play their first game under John Mackovic at San Diego State on Thursday. The non-conference game will pit the Wildcats who were 5-6 last season against the Aztecs who finished the 2000 campaign 3-8. The Wildcats defeated the Aztecs 17-3 last season. Arizona will then play a pair of non-conference games at home as the Wildcats host Idaho and UNLV.

The Arizona State Sun Devils will play their first game under Kirk Koetter a week later when they host those same San Diego State Aztecs. ASU was 6-5 last season. The Sun Devils edged San Diego State 10-7 last season. The Sun Devils next two games will be against a pair of tough PAC 10 Conference opponents in UCLA and Stanford on the road

The Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks will open at home on Thursday against conference rival Cal State Northridge in what could prove to be an important opening contest. The Lumberjacks finished the 2000 campaign 3-8 but had a 49-26 win over the Matadors who were 4-7 last season. A non-conference game against Stephen F. Austin will follow on Sept. 8, also at Flagstaff. Another non-conference game on the road at Oklahoma State on Sept. 15 may show the true quality of this Lumberjack team.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read