Tuitama has case as top Pac-10 QB
by Doug Haller - Oct. 7, 2008 04:19 PM
The Arizona Republic
As quarterbacks around the Pac-10 suffer and recover from injuries, the one down in Tucson might be developing into the conference's best passer.
Arizona's Willie Tuitama has the Wildcats atop the Pac-10 entering Saturday's showdown at Stanford. Through five games, he is completing a career-best 66.2 percent of his passes. He's also thrown 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions, both coming in a loss at New Mexico.
"He's a really good ball player," Stanford co-defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said during Tuesday's Pac-10 teleconference. "You can see tremendous development, and while I didn't see him play in person last year, I watched a lot of his games. He's just continued to develop to the point where, when he doesn't have something, he's much more patient."
At times, Tuitama has seemed determined to show off his arm strength, which is considerable. But this season he has shown restraint. Last Saturday against Washington, Tuitama completed 14 in a row, finishing 17 of 21 for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
"He played some of the best football I've seen him play, in terms of his accuracy and being precise with the football," Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said.
Tuitama, limited two years ago because of head injuries, ranks 16th nationally in passing efficiency. USC's Mark Sanchez, questionable this week with a knee injury, ranks seventh. In four games, Sanchez has 13 touchdown passes and three interceptions.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/articles/2008/10/07/20081007spt-pac10nb.html
by Doug Haller - Oct. 7, 2008 04:19 PM
The Arizona Republic
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As quarterbacks around the Pac-10 suffer and recover from injuries, the one down in Tucson might be developing into the conference's best passer.
Arizona's Willie Tuitama has the Wildcats atop the Pac-10 entering Saturday's showdown at Stanford. Through five games, he is completing a career-best 66.2 percent of his passes. He's also thrown 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions, both coming in a loss at New Mexico.
"He's a really good ball player," Stanford co-defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said during Tuesday's Pac-10 teleconference. "You can see tremendous development, and while I didn't see him play in person last year, I watched a lot of his games. He's just continued to develop to the point where, when he doesn't have something, he's much more patient."
At times, Tuitama has seemed determined to show off his arm strength, which is considerable. But this season he has shown restraint. Last Saturday against Washington, Tuitama completed 14 in a row, finishing 17 of 21 for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
"He played some of the best football I've seen him play, in terms of his accuracy and being precise with the football," Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said.
Tuitama, limited two years ago because of head injuries, ranks 16th nationally in passing efficiency. USC's Mark Sanchez, questionable this week with a knee injury, ranks seventh. In four games, Sanchez has 13 touchdown passes and three interceptions.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/articles/2008/10/07/20081007spt-pac10nb.html