Arizona Students Riot in Streets After Loss?

((ht: kgun))

Okay, maybe we are just old, but the whole thing about college students rioting and destroying things after a game makes no sense to us.

A pretty large group of University of Arizona students inexplicably hit the streets of Tuscon near campus and were met with a pretty large group of police officers there to disperse them. This on the heels of the Wildcats losing to Wisconsin in overtime for a shot at going to the Final Four.

Of course once on the streets of Tuscon, chaos ensued and fifteen or so students were arrested and a handful were injured as police launched pepper spray into the crowd.

If there's a reason that fans do things like this, we'd love to know. Though we supposed this isn't as silly/stupid as the whole couch burning thing that University of Kentucky students did Friday night after their win, which only got them to the Elite 8.

Why riot? Why destroy stuff? Because you can? Because it's a chance to burn off steam and vent? Once upon a time, back in the dark ages, we went to college and don't remember that being a prerequisite for the school's sports teams having success.

But then again, we're old.

Here's your TV story from KGUN-TV in Tuscon:

Rich Rodriguez's 10-Second Rule Speed Parody--Hilarious

((ht: cbssports.com))

Oh, this is priceless.

The creative sorts at the University of Arizona came up with a way to have their head football coach, Rich Rodriguez, voice is dislike of the proposed "10-second" rule in quite possibly the best way possible.

They dubbed over some lines and inserted Rich Rod into various scenes from the Movie speed.

For those of you unfamiliar with the 10-second rule, it's a proposal by College Football administrators to require at least 10-seconds between plays during the regular flow of a football game. Proponents argue it's to reduce injuries and allow defenses to substitute. Those who disagree, say the hurry-up is now part of the game, it doesn't change anything and allows offenses to stay ahead.

Either way, major props to Arizona for the video:

Strange But True: Arizona Promo Spot Includes Rich Rod and Mascot in Shower

((ht: coachingsearch.com))

This is sort of funny on one level, but entirely creepy on another.

The University of Arizona appears to have taken to a marketing campaign based on the famous "This is SportsCenter" ESPN commercials which often feature mascots.

And this piece posted by CoachingSearch.com, is a bit strange to us. It features Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez arriving at his office for work and going to use his restroom only to find the Arizona's mascot Wilbur the Wildcat already in the bathroom--using his shower.

Disturbing.

More Coaches Gone Wild: Rich Rod and the Arizona Danceoff

((ht: biglead.com))

Yeah, so training camp is over. And the new "In" thing apparently is college football coaches starring in funny team videos.

On Friday, we posted a handful of videos ranging from pranks to belly flops and more.

And with that in mind, one we missed earlier.

Check out the University of Arizona football team and their end of camp "Dance Off". The highlight comes at the end of the video, when coach Rich Rodriguez tries...for a few seconds to compete.

The hilarity ensues...

DEVELOPING: Rush Resigns From Pac-12

Not that this is any kind of a surprise...

Supervisor of Officials Ed Rush has resigned after the allegations of having a discussion with his own officials about giving a cash bonus or a trip to Mexico for ringing up Arizona head coach Sean Miller...

The subsequent technical foul was party to a 2-point loss to UCLA during the conference tourney... after the alleged discussion between Rush and his officials...

Miller was hot afterwards...
((HT: ESPN))


The Pac-12 released the standard amount of prepared statements:

In accepting Rush’s resignation, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, “I want to express my appreciation for the great contribution Ed made to basketball officiating for the Conference during his tenure, particularly in the area of training and the cultivation of new officiating talent. All of us at the Conference thank him for his years of hard work, and we wish him well.”

"I would like to thank the Pac-12 for giving me the opportunity to lead a group of officials who are working so hard to make the Pac-12 the best officiated conference in college basketball,” said Rush. “My first and highest concerns have always been the integrity of the game of basketball and the honor of the craft of officiating. While I am proud of what we have accomplished, my decision to resign reflects my strong desire to see the Pac-12 officiating program continue to grow and thrive," concluded Rush.

Here was Scott addressing the issue before the ending...
((HT: Pac-12 Network))

Let's Face It: Colorado Got Screwed... (UPDATED)

((HT: ESPNU/youtube))

Colorado's Sabatino Chen banked this shot in before everything went off at the McKale Center... but it didn't count...

The HQ has no idea why, other than blindness...


In overtime, everything returned to its normal state in Bear Down! country as the Wildcats won... something that will stay with the Buffs a for a while...

Tad Boyle, when asked by Karl Ravech, reinforced his thoughts on the night
((HT: ESPN))

New Mexico Bowl Highlight: Arizona Player Fight

Like MANY of you, we chose not to tune into the 1st of 35 College Football Bowl games foisted upon us for the next 30 days.

That 1st game, it featured Arizona vs. Nevada in what appears to have been a frigid New Mexico Bowl, a game that neither defense bothered to show up for.

The game, which has not ended at the time of this writing, had Nevada in the lead 48-35 with less than 2 minutes to go. Enough, we'd think to say that Nevada will win.

**Update**--Nevada did NOT win. They managed to give up 2 TD's in less than 2 minutes, Arizona with the 49-48 win in front of a standing room only crowd of 12. 

But the highlight of the game was apparently a fight on the bench. Between two Arizona Wildcats. Video shows defensive lineman Tevin Hood jumping off the bench and trying to punch teammate Cody Ippolito.

It's isn't clear if Ippolito said something, the two just didn't like each other or if it was their only attempt at playing defense in the game.

Either way it was our highlight of what was basically a meaningless, time-filler of a college football game.

Enjoy:

Upset Saturday In Pac-12: Arizona Bears Down On USC

((HT: ESPN/Pac-12 Network))

The bottom line was that if you had Southern Cal WR Marquise Lee (like the HQ did) in your fantasy league picks, you had a good day...

16 catches for 345 yards and 2 scores as Matt Barkley went 31-for-49 for 493 yards in the air for three scores, but in a game that featured 1,206 yards of total offense it came down to a Hail Mary attempt to try and get the win in Tucson...

Here's the quick version of what happened...


So, four teams are now in play (if you include Arizona) in the Pac-12 South for the P12CG berth- when someone loses to the winner of Oregon-Oregon State.

The 9th-ranked team in the country is now looking from the outside for their Bee-Cee-Ess bid. But, hey, buck up little Trojan fan... there's always the Holiday Bowl...

Record-setting performances don't get you much if you don't get the duke...

TWTW: The Upsets Round One- Arizona, UCLA, Sacramento State, North Dakota State

((HT: newsok.com))

By the oklahoma State coaching staff's own admission, it was a poor night of everything- too many penalties (school record) and four turnovers for starters...

And very few people would have thought the 'Pokes would have given up 59 points to Rich Rod...

Berry Tramel and Gina Mizell discuss...
UCLA made its point to be inside the Top 15 (really) under new head coach Jim Mora with their back-and-forth game that ended up in the upset of Nebraska... Gus and Charles Davis discuss... ((HT: Fox Sports)) And, there's a battle in the state of Colorado to determine which team is the worst in the state- Colorado or Colorado State... The Rams did their part in contributing in their 22-7 loss to I-AA North Dakota State... ((HT: valleynewslive.com)) Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks Colorado State coaches and players, naturally, were less than pleased... ((HT: ColoradoStateUniversity)) The Buffaloes ended up losing to Sacramento State on a last-minute field goal... CU head coach Jon Embree is either way out of his league coaching this team or isn't being given the tools to make it happen the way he wants... The HQ is thinking it's somewhere in the middle... ((HT: BuffStampedeDotCom))

Arizona Wins A Close One In OT In Rich Rod's Coaching Debut

It was a white knuckler but the Arizona Wildcats will take it defeated Toledo 24-17 in Tucson Saturday night in Rich Rodriguez’s debut as Arizona’s head coach.

“It was a good win, all of them are good.” Rodriguez said. “As coaches, we take the losses too hard and don’t enjoy the wins enough. I’m trying to enjoy the wins more.”

Here are highlights of win number 1 of the Rich Rod era.

TWTW Late Shift Part Two: La-Laf and Notre Dame

((HT: KVOA-TV Tucson))

The HQ figured we'd show this one because of TLB and her probable probability that her Ragin Cajuns are in the first New Orleans bowl game this year.

We never thought we'd say this but: Arizona survived La-Laf yesterday as Nick Foles threw for over 350 yards in a shootout...

Here's George Savaricus with the look...


As a transition, can the HQ say again just how much Rick Neuheisel is so fired it's not even funny...???

Notre Dame isn't that good, and Stanford proved it in their 28-14 win last night. Andrew Luck threw for 231 yards and a handful of scores. The HQ wonders how much of Brian Kelly's divided team is responsible...
((HT: SI.com))


The jury is still out on those Cardinal-flavored unis...

Bear Down Rich Rod, You Now Lead The Arizona Wildcats

Rich Rodriguez was officially introduced Tuesday as the new head coach of the Arizona Wildcat.

Here's the presser from Tucson. (Thanks KVOA-TV)

REPORT: Return of Rich Rodriguez: Heading to Arizona

Rodriguez family with Arizona AD Greg Byrne

((cbssports.com/feldman))

**UPDATED**

It appears the University of Arizona may have found the successor to Mike Stoops.

Multiple reports, including CBSSports insider Bruce Feldman say Rich Rodriguez will be named the head coach in Tuscon sometime in the next 48 hours.

Rodriguez has been working at CBS Sports Net after being fired last season from the University of Michigan.

More when we know more.

**Was unable to post this last night**---Arizona AD Greg Byrne took an almost unprecedented approach in announcing the hire...he posted it on Twitter.

That post said: "And the new Arizona football coach and his family is...." and he posted a photo...of him with the Rodriguez family wearing Arizona hats.

Bravo Greg Byrne

Dumbass Arizona streaker tries explaining himself

((ht: kvoa.com))

He tried to excuse it by saying he wanted to do something to make himself "famous" before he graduated from the University of Arizona.

In that respect, we guess he was successful.

But he may be facing some "Unexpected" legal charges, at least we hope so.

Jace Lankow was the dumbass who managed to get himself on the field Thursday night during the Arizona/UCLA game, which was 42-7 at the half. He proceeded later in the game, to peel off a layer of clothes to reveal a referee uniform, run onto the field, strip...almost all the way before being tackled by security on the field.

That was the warmup for the brawl that cost some 10-players a suspension this week.

Here is the original video:



And here is video of the fight it spawned:



Lankow is apparently in the process of trying to cash in on his fame. He did an interview with KVOA-TV where he tried explaining himself by saying he wanted to do it to help get himself on the TV show "Wipeout". He also says he wanted to something that he'll be remembered for at the University of Arizona.

He's facing felony charges for Criminal Impersonation and will probably be charged for using a fake access pass to get on the field. He claims he wants to use his assumed "Winnings" from Wipeout, to pay his legal fees.

Yes, we know, we shouldn't give free publicity to dumb asses who do things like this for free publicity. Yes, we know, it might encourage others to do this. But we hope the next person who gets a bright idea like this gets tackled by a player instead of just the overweight security guys too.

Here is the interview with Mr. Dumb-ass, explaining himself:

We're Goin' Streakin'... And Cause A Brawl... In The Pac-10/12

Some knucklehead ran from the stands...

Sometimes, Right Reverend Rece has it cold...

And a brawl breaks out after that...
((HT: ESPN/youtube))


UCLA loses 48-12 to Arizona in a boat race game, and there's talk that the game was an "FFCA Game"- Fired Football Coaches Association...

Mega Robert Smith discusses...
((HT: ESPN))


AD Dan Guerrero isn't going to make any type of changes until the season is over...

At least, that's what he says publicly...

DEVELOPING: Stoops Out At Arizona

Mike Stoops is out as football coach at the University of Arizona after a 1-5 start this season- starting with a 41-10 rout of Northern Arizona, then losing to Oklahoma State, Stanford, Oregon, USC and Oregon State.

Stoops finished with a 41-50 record at Arizona after joining the program in 2003. The Wildcats went to their first bowl game in 10 seasons under Stoops, winning the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl over Brigham Young.

Arizona then went 8-4, playing in the Holiday Bowl in 2009, and going 7-5 and playing in the Alamo Bowl last season.

Here's what AD Greg Byrne said in a newsletter to Arizona supporters:

"Today I write to you to announce that Mike Stoops has been relieved of his duties and will no longer be the head coach of the Arizona football program. Coach Stoops did many things to improve our program and we are appreciative of his efforts.

"This decision is the result of an ongoing evaluation of our program since my arrival a year and a half ago. While Coach Stoops did an admirable job and was able to re-establish Arizona as a football contender, it is a critical time for our football program, and I feel we need a change in leadership. Defensive coordinator Tim Kish will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of this season.

"I recently met with the team to notify the players of my decision. I also have spoken with the football staff. Our immediate focus is the team. The support service areas that take care of our team – such as academics and medical services – will continue to provide our student-athletes with first-rate support.

"We have nearly two dozen seniors on our football team and we want them to finish their Arizona career by playing in a bowl game. We need you to continue to show the seniors and the entire team your support. I look forward to seeing you next Thursday against UCLA.

"We will begin a search immediately for our next head football coach. I expect the search to end sometime after the regular season is over, so please be patient as we go through this process. Something I will work at diligently is to keep public information to a minimum during the process. This is important to an effective search process. During this time please be patient and cautious not to get caught up in unofficial news and/or speculation from media, message boards, or other reports from people claiming to have heard this or that rumor. I may send out an occasional note via Twitter, but other than that the next time you will hear anything from me about this search is when we introduce our new coach.

"I'm sure I'll receive a lot of emails, calls and letters suggesting that we need to hire a certain candidate. I am always pleased to hear your input and glad that you care. We will make the best decision for Arizona Football, which means being open to a variety of candidates. Please know that we will have access to information on candidates that the general public may not have. There are reasons that a certain candidate would or would not be considered based in part on that information. So whomever we hire I want you to know we will go to great lengths to ensure we have as much information as possible before we make a decision."


More when we know more...