Lumberjacks no match for 9th-ranked Wildcats

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks were no match for the 9th-ranked Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center tonight. The Wildcats dished out 22 assists en route to a 93-50 win over the Lumberjacks as Solomon Hill and Mark Lyons led the way with 17 and 18 points, respectively. Eleven players put points on the board and four players scored in double figures, including a season-high from Angelo Chol with 10 and a double-digit night on the boards for Brandon Ashley with 11. Nick Johnson lit up the box score with 10 points, 7 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. The Wildcats shoot 58 per cent from the field as they move to 4-0 on the season.                                                                                                                                                                            

Barzell hurls gem in TOTS game

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball

Sixty-two year old right hander Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell (photo) struck out six batters en route to an 11-4 win at Udall Park today. Pitching for TOTS Team Blue, Barzell gave up four runs to Team White in the first inning and then settled down to pitch six consecutive scoreless innings. Barzell, relying mostly on his fastball and an occasional change up, walked just two batters. Barzell was helped out by an excellent defensive effort from his teammates -- including two dazzling plays by 83-year-old second baseman Billy Heiny and a diving catch to end the game by 60-year-old shortstop Tim Tolson. The TOTS return to action on Friday with another 9AM game on tap.

Photo credit: Jodi B. Darling from jodi B. darling photo

Team Priceless fighting for playoff spot in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League


My fantasy football team, Team Priceless, is fighting for the fourth and final playoff spot in the UPC Hood Fantasy League. Mega Powers lost its third game in a row in Week 12, but still clings to the league lead with a 9-3 record. Blitz holds on to second place at 7-4-1 and Three Feet Right, currently the hottest team in the league with four straight wins, is in third place at 7-5. That leaves Team Priceless, Nut Rub and trojan girl -- all three at 6-6 -- left to fight it out for the final playoff spot. Team Priceless got a boost in Week 12 as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo totals 45 fantasy points to lead the league in point-production. With the loss of Rob Gronkowski, it looked like Team Priceless would be out of the running, but its hard-fought 103-88 win over suh-nami this week keeps them afloat. Key players for Team Priceless this week against the Assassins include Green Bay's Randall Cobb, Tennessee's Chris Johnson, Minnesota's Percy Harvin, the New York Giants' wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and Romo.

Slugfest at Udall

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over-baseball

TOTS Blue knocked off TOTS White 14-10 Monday at Udall Park in an old-fashioned slugfest. TOTS  Blue right hander Bob Daliege (above photo) pitched a complete game and picked up his first win of the year. He struck out one and walked four. "I haven't pitched in over four months," said Daliege, better known as the "Kayak Kid."  Daliege feels comfortable going down the rapids, but he certainly stayed afloat on the mound today. "I had some movement on the ball. I was pleased." Still, TOTS White had a chance to even the score in the sixth inning as they loaded the bases with only one out. But Daliege coaxed Jerry "The Yankee Clipper" Hamelin to hit a come-backer which resulted in a double play to end the inning. Team White went quietly in the seventh inning and Daliege had his win. "I'll need to go home and ice the shoulder down," Daliege said, following the game.

Romo gives me an early fantasy lead in Week 12

My Fantasy Football League


Dallas quarterback Tony Romo didn't get the results he wanted as the Cowboys lost on Thanksgiving Day to the Washington Redskins, 38-31. But Romo did jump start my fantasy team in Week 12 as he out-pointed my opposing quarterback, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, 45-36. Romo throws for 441 yards and three touchdowns, while Brady, in New England's 49-19 win over the New York Jets, tosses for three TDs as well but gains just 323 yards in the process. Good enough for a nine-point differential for my Team Priceless in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League. Old Timer Jason Hanson also booted a field goal and four extra points for Detroit as the Lions fall to the Houston Texans in overtime on Thursday, 34-31. So far so good. With two of my players in the books for the week and a 53-36 lead, we'll now see how the rest of my fantasy roster does today as my Team Priceless will try to even its season record at 6-6.

Nice weather expected all the way to doomsday

The Forecast

You can't beat this Arizona weather. Highs in the 70s, lows in high 40s all the way to doomsday.

Pac-12 Football a success in 2012

Thumbs up to the Pac-12 for producing eight teams with winning records in football this season. Only Utah at 5-7, Colorado (1-11), California (3-9) and Washington State (3-9) failed in that endeavor. Leading the pack of course were Oregon (11-1), Stanford (10-2), UCLA (9-3) and Oregon State (8-3, soon to be 9-3 after they dispose of Nicholls State next Saturday). Listed as an also-ran with winning records include our own Arizona Wildcats (7-5), along with USC, ASU and Washington -- all at 7-5 as well.  UCLA or Stanford will add another victory in the win column as the two teams clash Friday for the Pac-12 title. Oregon gets the nod as the best offensive team in the conference (610 points scored this season),  while the Stanford Cardinal tops the charts as the best defensive team, allowing just 203 points in 12 games.

The Duel in the Desert

The Duel in the Desert


Early in the third quarter the Arizona State Sun Devils were enjoying a 17-9 lead. To make matters worse, the Arizona Wildcats star running back Ka'Deem Carey, with 133 yards and a touchdown already in the books, was on the sideline nursing an injury. Also lost to the Wildcats were the services of receiver Dan Buckner. Things were not going Arizona's way. But along comes Austin Hill and Garic Wharton. With quarterback Matt Scott directing traffic, the Wildcats score 18 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 27-17 lead to the delight of the hometown crowd at Arizona Stadium.

At the 9:22 mark of the third quarter, Scott teamed up with Hill for a 22-yard TD reception to pull the Wildcats within one point and three minutes later Scott finds Wharton down the sideline on a 40-yard scoring play. The Wildcats go for two and convert as kicker John Bonano practically walks into the end zone to up Arizona's lead to 24-17. Moments later, Arizona's Jake Fischer recovers a Sun Devil fumble to set up a 23-yard field goal by Bonano and presto the Wildcats lead 27-17.

But folks, at that point,  the "Duel in the Desert" was just beginning

ASU scores 10 points in the early moments of the fourth quarter to tie the game and the momentum swings back in the Sun Devils favor. And with 5:38 left, ASU blocks a punt and scores four seconds later to take a 34-27 lead. Scott and the Wildcats quickly drive down field only to have an interception spoil the drive and with 2:51 left the Sun Devils score and take a commanding 41-27 lead.

But folks, the "Duel in the Desert" was still not over.

Scott directs the ensuing drive and completes the drive by hitting David Richards for a 17-yard TD with  1:54 left in the game to close within seven points at 41-34.  The onside kick ends up in the Sun Devils' hands. The Arizona Stadium clock clicks to zero and the Sun Devils grab hold of the Territorial Cup and head back to Tempe.

Arizona and Arizona State finish the regular season at 7-5.

Ka'Deem Carey finishes with 172 yards on 25 carries and one score.  Matt Scott throws for 230 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Daniel Jenkins, filling in for Carey, finishes with 78 yards on  21 carries. Wharton, Hill and Richards combine for three scores and 180 receiving yards.

Good try, Wildcats. But not quite good enough. Coach Rod said, following the game, "We made too many mistakes."

Congrats, Wildcats on a winning season.

Vintage baseball

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


The 60-and-over Tucson Aces may get a chance at playing vintage baseball this winter. If it works out the Aces will tangle with the Phoenix Senators, using rules and regulations from the 19th century. The real Phoenix Senators played ball back in 1915. Wood bats with no tape are used by the current version of the Senators. No batting gloves or sunglasses allowed. Regular-sized baseballs are used, under hand or over hand pitching allowed. So, for all you "softies" on the Aces, get your knuckles warmed up. Times and places for the game, or games, yet to be announced.

Photos: Vintage baseball players.

"Thunder" Tim Tolson leads Team Blue to TOTS' win

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


Pre-Turkey Day Game of the Week


"Thunder" Tim Tolson knocked in two runs, walked once and went 2 for 3 to lead the TOTS Team Blue to an 8-3 win today at Udall Park over Team White. Arnie "Cowboy" White pitched seven innings and out-dueled Dennis "Wheels" Crowley to pick up the win. Team Blue scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and received key hits from their version of  "Murderer's Row" as the middle of the order of Doc "Cyclone Kid" Thompson, White and Tolson got the job done. White made the play of the day when he caught a come-backer off the bat of Chico "Rubber Arm" Bigham in the top of the fifth inning. Team White just couldn't get anything going throughout the game and "Cowboy" White ended the day by striking out the final two batters. The TOTS' baseball club resumes action on Monday.

Photo: Thunder Tim

Just two days before the "Big One"

It's just two days before the "Big One." In just two days the Wildcats, with their new red helmets sparkling, radiating through out the confines of Arizona Stadium,  take the field and tangle with their state rival, the ASU Sun Devils. On the line: Bragging rights for a year, an 8th win for the first-year  program under Coach Rod, a more noteworthy bowl berth and a top-25 ranking, maybe even top-20. Could this game be won be a hail-Mary in the end zone? Or, maybe a field goal that bounces off an upright and into the stands for a game-winner as time expires? Nope! My prediction: Arizona 42-28 as Ka'Deem Carey rushes for 150 yards, Austin Hill catches two touchdown passes and Matt Scott goes out in a blaze of glory with 300 yards of total offense. Oh, how sweet that would be.

Photo: The Wildcats' new head gear.

Defense! Defense!

Chances are the guard who was guarding Jack Taylor in a Division III basketball game last night in Grinnell, Iowa, will not be playing Division 1 in the near future or certainly will not find his way to the NBA. Taylor made 27 of 71 3-point attempts en route to a record breaking 138 points as Grinnell College  defeated Faith Baptist Bible, 179-104. Taylor was 52 for 108 from the field in just 36 minutes of playing time. I'm not sure who was guarding Taylor, but it was reported that a Faith Baptist player did tally 70 points. The whole thing sounds crazy. Mind-boggling is the word that comes to mind.

Aces 5-run 4th-inning takes down Rattlers

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

Aces 60-and-over team

The 60-and-over Aces used a 5-run 4th-inning to take down the visiting Arizona Rattlers at Tucson Udall Park this morning. The Aces strung together seven hits and scored five runs with two outs in the inning and went on to beat the Rattlers, 10-6. Dennis Crowley, Lloyd Barzell, Chico Bigham, Tim Tolson, Doc Thompson,  Pete Cerenzia and Arnie White, all hit safely in the fifth. Sixty-five year old right hander George Gafner took the loss for the Rattlers, while  70-year-old "Cyclone Kid" Thompson started and picked up the win for the Aces. "Cowboy" White came on in relief and pitched the last two innings. The Rattlers down four runs in the seventh inning tried to get a rally going in their final at bat. But with one out, the Aces completed a 4-6-3 double play to end the game as the play went from Danny "Pigpen" Price to "Baby Bull" Barzell to Billy "Doc" Heiny. The Aces will take a break over the Thanksgiving holiday and will take on the Old Pueblo Club in two weeks.

Top photo: Doc "Cyclone Kid" Thompson. Bottom photo: Arnie "Cowboy" White.

Rattlers vist Udall Park today

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


Aces' 60-and-over baseball


The 60-and-over Aces will play host to the Arizona Rattlers this morning at Tucson Udall Park in an old timers baseball game. Game time is set for 9 AM. The Aces team include members of the TOTS baseball club and are comprised mostly of players between the ages of 60 to 70. The TOTS organization has over 50 members and include players in ages ranging from 60 to 87.  The Rattlers and the Aces have a history of close, hard-fought ball games, and today's game should be another battle to the wire. Seventy-year-old right hander Doc "The Cyclone Kid" Thompson will start for the Aces today.

Wildcats movin' on up in AP Poll

The Arizona Wildcats basketball team moved into 10th place this week in the AP College Football Poll. The top 10 include: 1) Indiana, 2) Louisville, 3) Ohio State, 4) Michigan, 5) Duke, 6) Syracuse, 7)    Florida, 8) Kentucky, 9) North Carolina and our 'Cats at No. 10. Sounds all too familiar. The "big boys" are at again.

Top teams fall in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League


The top teams in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League fall in Week 11. Mega Powers loses its second in a row with a loss to the Assassins, 130-110. The Assassins, the league's last-place team, gets 45  fantasy points from Houston wide-receiver Andre Johnson to put away Mega Powers, who still leads the league with a 9-2 record and is an automatic qualifier for the playoffs. Also going down this week were Blitz (6-4-1), Nut Rub (6-5), Team Arps (5-6) and suh-nami (5-6). The middle of the pack teams -- Three Feet Right (6-5), Team Priceless (5-6), trojan girl (5-6) and A-Team (4-7) all won this week. The Assassins win over Mega Powers was even more unbelievable due to the fact the owner of the Assassins elected to keep Houston quarterback Matt Schaub on the bench. Schaub throws  five touchdown passes in Houston's 43-37 overtime win over Jacksonville. The Assassins starting quarterback Matthew Stafford (Detroit) tallies 13 fantasy points against Green Bay. Schaub scored a league-high 59 fantasy points.

Wildcats roll past Long Beach State

The Arizona Wildcats improve to 3-0 on the season after rolling past Long Beach State tonight at McKale, 94-72. Brandon Ashley gets his first start of the season and pours in 20 points and adds 10 rebounds to lead the Wildcats over the 49ers, while Kevin Parrom came off the bench and hit all five of his 3-pointers for 15 points. Solomon Hill added another 15 and Nick Johnson chipped in 12 to complete the double-figure scoring. Long Beach State hung in there, using 14 3-pointers to keep them within striking distance and they needed every one of them as Arizona led by as many as 22 in the first half and went to the locker room with a 50-37 lead at intermission. The Wildcats tacked on another 44 points in the second half as coach Sean Miller cleared the bench. Fourteen players received playing time. Way to go, 'Cats!

Gronkowski loss costly for Team Priceless

My Fantasy Football League

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski led my Team Priceless in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League to a win this week, my fifth win of the season to go along with six losses. Gronkowski scores 25 fantasy points during New England's 59-24 rout of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but the Patriots coaching staff kept "The Gronk" in the game long enough for him to come up with an arm injury which will keep him out of the lineup for a few weeks. That will pretty well block any chances I have of making the fantasy league playoffs. Maybe I should change my team name from Team Priceless to Team Luckless.

Photo: Former UofA tight end Rob Gronkowski  

Carey national rushing leader

Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey leads the nation in rushing with 1,585 yards. Carey, just a sophomore for the Wildcats, is 21 yards ahead of the runner up from Nevada, junior tailback Stefphon Jefferson who has amassed 1,564 yards. Way to go, Ka'Deem. Now let's add to the pile on Friday. We're just five days away from the "Big One" -- Arizona State vs. Arizona.

A gutsy win in Salt Lake for Wildcats

I doubt there were too many Arizona fans, nor too many members of the Wildcats coaching staff who expected an easy win in Salt Lake City tonight. It was a rough one, but the Wildcats prevailed as they edged the Utah Utes, 34-24. With an injured shoulder, Ka'Deem Carey somehow rushed for 204 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown in leading Arizona to its seventh win of the season. Quarterback Matt Scott returned to the Wildcats' lineup and threw a touchdown pass, rushed for another score and directed his team to a hard-fought win. Scott picked up 160 yards through the air and rushed for 74 yards. Austin Hill stepped up as well and caught six passes for 96 yards -- including an 18-yard TD reception. Arizona moves to 7-4 and is guaranteed a winning season.

The Irish eyes are smiling

The Irish eyes are smiling. A crazy night in college football as the top two BCS teams go down, allowing Notre Dame to move to the top and needing a win over USC next week to punch their ticket to Miami. Baylor crushes No. 1 Kansas State 52-24, while Stanford beats the 2nd-ranked team in the BCS, Oregon, 17-14 in overtime. The first time since 2007 that the top teams in the BCS have fallen, together. You gotta love college football!

Sometimes the last inning doesn't go your way

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over-baseball


Sometimes the last inning doesn't go your way. On Friday, in a Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game, Team Blue edged Team White, 6-5. It looked like Team White had the makings of a big inning when they came to bat in the top of the seventh and final inning. They had the heart of their order up and needed to slap two runs across to take the lead. Hard-hitting shortstop Doc "The Cyclone Kid" Thompson hit a sharp, two-hopper to Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell at third, but Barzell took one step to his left, gloved the ball and threw a strike to first base to nip Thompson. Danny "Pigpen" Price followed with a hard hit ball to deep right field but Robert "Nuke" Royer took one step back, put his glove in the air and came down with the ball for the second out. Jesse Ochoa reached on an error and Bob Stofft settled in at the plate, representing the go-ahead run. Stofft fouled off a couple of pitches thrown by Pete "Lefty" Cerenzia and then hit a shot to left field. Leon "The Reviver" Glasshoffer took two steps forward and made a diving catch to end the game.  Cerenzia gets the win and Billy "Doc" Heiny is saddled with the loss. Oh, well. There's always next week.

Daughter-in-law on the run

Fresh off a completion of a half marathon held in Phoenix earlier this month, my daughter-in-law Amber Price is revving up for the El Tour de Tucson. After averaging slightly over seven minute miles over a 13.1 course,  running through the twist and turns in and around Tempe and competing with over 3, 000 women, Amber will now turn to biking and compete with her team in the 60-mile race around Tucson. Amber will begin her journey near Swan and Sunrise and complete the course Saturday morning at Armory Park. Good luck, Amber. Go get 'em.

Tour note: Amber (photo above) will be part of a women's team, the Team Soul Ladies, and sponsored by Royal Kia.

Amber Alert (Nov. 18, 2012): Amber finishes 60-mile race in 3 hours, 30 minutes, 418 overall. Congrats, Amber. The top women's finisher was Emily Wood from Clemson, SC in a time of two hours, and 30 minutes. Eric Marcotte won the 111-mile race in four hours and 13 minutes.

Steady Lyons leads 12th-ranked Wildcats to 2nd win

Arizona's shooting guard Mark Lyons continues to get it done for the Wildcats. After scoring 17 points in the season opener against Charleston Southern, Lyons pours in another 17 points tonight at McKale Center as the Wildcats roll to a 72-51 win over the UTEP Miners. The Wildcats led most of the way and enjoyed leads of eight to 17 points. Arizona used a 13-point run late in the second half to put the Tim Floyd-coached Miners away. Lyons went 5 for 9 from the field -- included 3 of 5 three-pointers, as the Wildcats canned 9 of 18 from three-point land. Arizona, ranked 12th in the nation,  moves to 2-0 and will take on Long Beach State on Monday at McKale.

Teammates again...

Two players on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) 60-and-over baseball team were teammates 42 years ago. Tim Tolson and Jeff Rein are the youngest players on the TOTS, an organized baseball club which plays three days a week at Udall Park. Tim and Jeff were teammates on the Sahuaro High School team in 1970. Both are now 60 years of age and both can still recall the days when they took the field for the Cougars. "It was a long time ago," Rein said. "I played outfield and Tim was a first baseman." Tim likes having his former teammate as a member of the TOTS. "My father (Brad Tolson) recently retired from active duty as a TOT after 21 years. So I'm the new kid on the block, along with Jeff.  Jeff just joined the club and it's great to have a former Sahuaro alum on the team." Tim lead the TOTS in home runs this year and Jeff, well he's just getting his feet wet, so to speak. Go TOTS and go Cougars!

Photo: Former Tucson Sahuaro High School teammates and now members of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) Tim Tolson, the big fella on the left, and Jeff Rein.

March 19, 1966

With the UTEP Miners coming to town on Thursday to face our Arizona Wildcats, it makes me think back to March 19, 1966. I was 20 years old, old enough at the time that I will always remember and never forget what happened that day on the court inside the Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. For it was on that day, the all-black starting five from El Paso, Texas, known then as the Texas Western Miners, upset the powerful Kentucky Wildcats for the National Title. I can still relive in my mind the historic game as Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, Orsten Artis, Nevil Shed, Harry Flournoy...and also Willie Cager and Willie Worsley, all logged their share of minutes on the court, en route to a championship win over the Wildcats, coached by the legendary coach Adolph Rupp. But on that day, it was the Miners' coach Don Haskins and his tight-knit group of players that got the upper hand on Rupp and the powerful Wildcats as the Miners won the title, 72-65. If there ever was a time to grab a morning edition of a sports page, March 20, 1966, would have been that day. The headlines read: Texas Western stuns Kentucky...and the world.

Mega Powers falls in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League

Previously unbeaten Mega Powers lost 110-104 to suh-nami in Week 10 of the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League as things are getting a little interesting as the league heads into Week 11. Suh-nami received 26 fantasy points from New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham and it was just enough to knock Mega Powers down a notch. Mega Powers still sits atop the standings at 9-1, while Blitz is in second at 6-3-1. Nut Rub edged A-Team this week, while Three Feet Right beats the Assassins, Team Arps gets by Blitz and Team Priceless upends trojan girl. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan turned out to be the big fantasy-point leader this week as he totaled 43 points for Team Arps. Ryan tosses three touchdown passes and totals 411 passing yards for the Falcons, and in the real world previously-unbeaten Atlanta goes down 31-27 to New Orleans on Sunday. My team, Team Priceless, wins 111-78 this week thanks to the Dallas defense (24 fantasy points), Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo (20 points), Tennessee's running back Chris Johnson (18 points) and Philadelphia's wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (15 points).

Royals Baseball

My grandson, Jadon Price, is right where he needs to be as a player on the Royals Baseball 13-and-over team. Jadon is the starting center fielder for the Royals and this weekend Jadon and his teammates brought home another first-place trophy at the Veterans Day Memorial Tournament at Tucson Sports Park. Congrats to Jadon and the Royals, who are all members and players of the Arizona International Baseball Consortium (AIBC).

The academy is run by George Arias (U of A All-American and 15-year MLB Player) and Laura Espinosa Watson (3-time U of A Softball All-American). The academy's mission is to teach Tucson's youth life skills and core values through the games of baseball and softball. The academy is the only one of its kind in Tucson targeting at risk youth by offering scholarship opportunities and academic assistance. The academy is endorsed by Edgar Soto (Pima CC Athletics Director) and also has endorsements from Andy Lopez (U of A Baseball) and Mike Candrea (U of A Softball).

Hats off to George Arias and the academy...and Jadon, of course. Bottom photo: Jadon and his teammates. Jadon is in front row, far right.

Wildcats get a tester in basketball opener

Charleston Southern did some dancin' at McKale Center tonight. It wasn't the Lindy, the Charleston, nor was it the East Coast shuffle, instead it was an effective 2-3 zone defense as the Buccaneers kept it close before bowing to the Arizona Wildcats, 82-73. The 2012-13 season opener for the 'Cats turned into a real tussle. Charleston Southern kept it close all the way and were within two points (59-57) with just eight minutes remaining. But in the end the 'Cats simply had too many weapons as five players finished in double figures of the 10 Wildcats that graced the court at McKale. Mark Lyons scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, while Solomon Hill scored 14, Brandon Ashley and Nick Johnson netted 12 apiece and Jordin Mayes added 10. The Wildcats shot over the zone and made 11 of 32 three-point attempts and shot 45 percent (27 of 60) from the field for the night. So, tonight the 'Cats were pushed a little, but the bottom line: Arizona is 1-0 and can now prepare for the Tim Floyd-coached UTEP Miners on Thursday.

The time was right for Carey to roll

If there was ever a time for an elite college football player to succeed, it was this afternoon at Arizona Stadium. Sophomore running back Ka'Deem Carey had it all going his way. Arizona's starting quarterback Matt Scott was on the sideline and the Wildcats were forced to put the passing attack on the back burner and make the running attack a priority. The Wildcats opponent, the Colorado Buffaloes, came to town with the reputation as the worst defensive team against the rush in the Pac-12.. and they brought along the stats to prove it. So, the 'Cats sent backup quarterback B.J. Denker into the fire to think run first and pass second. After a mishandled exchange to start the game, Denker quickly found his target -- place the ball in the hands of Carey and let him loose. The result: Arizona wins its homecoming game 56-31 as Carey runs wild, scoring five touchdowns while racking up a Pac-12 Conference record of 366 yards. I expected 200 yards...maybe 250 and maybe three scores from Carey. In fact, my prediction of a 41-12 Arizona victory turned out to be a little short. Way to go, Carey! Nice job, Mr. Denker! B.J. in his first start for the Wildcats throws two TD passes and rushes for another. It all adds up to 56 points! Mission accomplished. Up next: A road trip to Utah and then the big regular-season finale at home against the Arizona State Sun Devils -- a loser today in LA, 38-17, to the USC Trojans.

Up bright and early for my Wildcats

I'm up bright and early for my Arizona Wildcats. Well, early anyway. It's not very bright out at six in the morning in the Old Pueblo. Game time is just five hours away. The tailgaters will be lining up soon. The students should just be getting home from their Friday night, pregame parties, just in time to spruce up and get ready to rumble. The clock is ticking and we should know somewhere around 2 p.m. if the Wildcats have their sixth win or not and we can let the BOWLING talk begin. For most of us Wildcat fans it's just a matter of rearranging our schedule a bit. After all, it's normally mid-afternoon before we get too excited about what's happening at Arizona Stadium. Colorado vs. Arizona. Go, Wildcats!

Bookemdanosports: Remember to use key words

Remember to use key words in my search engine, either at the top left hand corner on the profile page of Bookemdanosports or in the blog roll box which is located on the right side of the page. For example type in TSBN (my newly formed network for TOTS baseball) and presto you should get game highlights of past games or other info regarding the 60-and-over club. Or, just simply plug in TOTS. If you're a Wildcat fan as in ARIZONA WILDCATS just key in our beloved 'Cats. At 1,200 stories and counting, it is just an easier way to maneuver around my blog. Good hunting.

Another nail-biter at Udall Park

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over-baseball


Another nail-biter Friday morning at Tucson Udall Park. It must be the weather. There's something in the air this week as all the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) 60-and-over baseball games have gone down to the wire. Pete "Lefty" Cerenzia carried a two-hitter into the fourth inning today and his Team Blue held a 4-0 lead when Team White came to bat in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Bill Heiny ignited a Team White rally with a 2-run RBI single to right field and before Cerenzia and his teammates could get the final out Team White had pulled even at 4-4. Chico "Rubber Arm" Bigham continued to mow down the Team Blue batters, including the top of the seventh when he induced two ground outs and a strike out to close out Team Blue's final at bat. Team White needed just one run in the bottom of the seventh and they got just that as shortstop Lloyd Barzell singled in Dennis Crowley with the game-winner. TOTS White wins it  5-4.  Three more games are on tap next week as the good weather continues. There was a chance of rain this morning, but instead the weather was perfect with a 70-degree temperature at game time. A beautiful day for baseball as the sun found its way through the clouds and the senior ball players took the field.

Meet the TOTS

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

The TOTS Outfielders

Joe Aparicio, 78, Born: Santa Paula, CA.....Member of the TOTS since 1998.....A diehard San Francisco Giants fan...Loves to play right field.....Nickname: I guess "Shoeless Joe" is taken, so "No Way, Jose" seems to be a perfect fit.

Albert Bleecker, 75, Born: New York City, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 2010.....Nickname: "Big Al" -- may have to work on that one.

Archie Burke, 80, Born: La Crosse, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 1991.....a retired teacher.....Nickname: Still working on it.

Carl Brutovsky, 76, Born: Johnson City, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 1999.....A switch hitter who is still pretty quick down the first baseline.....Nickname: "Mr. Speed".

Joe Dinich, 69, Born: Pottsville, PA.....Member of the TOTS since 2008.....A hard-hitter, hits to all fields.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

Edward Eckert, 72, Born: Green Bay, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 1996..... Lives in Phoenix....Can play all positions.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

Leon Glasshoffer, 73, Born: Providence, RI.....Member of the TOTS since 2003.....Gives classes on CPR....WE need him.....Nickname: "The Reviver Man".

Bob Katz, 75, Born: Philadelphia, PA.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....He leads the club in walks...he has a good eye at the plate.....Nickname: "Mr. Patience at the plate", but Bob, a retired Marine, has a better tag: In the service they called him "Gunner".

Denny Leonard, 75, Born: Edmonton, Alberta.....Member of the TOTS since 1992.....Hails from Canada...a former police officer.....Bats left, throws right.....Nickname: "The Mounty"

Richard McCorkle, 79, Born: Tucson, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 1992.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

John Misiaszek, 63, Born: London, England.....Member of the TOTS since 2011....A Psychiatrist (our club needs one of those, too).....Nickname: "The Englishman".

Robert Royer, 75, Born: Reading, PA.....Member of the TOTS since 2004 and a former manager of the  club.....Our only Nuclear Engineer on the club.....Nickname: That's a tough one, let's go with "Nuke"

Ed Seelbinder, 66, Born: Olean, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 2009.....Another former police officer.....likes to put on the gear and catch behind the plate as well.....Nickname: "The Cyclist" -- he likes to ride his bike to the ball field.

Jeff Rein, 61, Born: Tucson, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....One of the youngest ball players on the club and hits the ball with authority.....Nickname: "The CEO" -- a former "Top Dog" with Walgreens.

Jesse Ochoa, 61, Born: Tucson, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: The "Sweeper" -- loves to sweep out the dugouts.

Arnold Segovia, 61, Born: Morenci, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: Still working on it.

Jack Glickman, 85, Born: New York, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 1991.....The second oldest active TOT.....Nickname: "Jack the Ripper" -- he likes to pull the ball down the third baseline.

Joel Blutfield, 63, Born: Staten Island, NY.....Member of tje TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: Still working on it.

Bob Stofft, 73, Born: Minneapolis, MN.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: One of the new guys, still working on it.

Jim Pagels, 64, Born: Two Rivers, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 2009.....The "Man in the Dugout".....Keeps tabs of us all....Nickname: "The Scorekeeper".

Photos: Top to bottom: 1) Joe Aparicio 2) Al Bleecker 3) Archie Burke 4) Carl Brutovsky 5) Edward Eckert (6) Leon Glasshoffer 7) Denny Leonard 8) Robert Royer 9) Ed Seelbinder 10) Jeff Rein 11) Jack Glickman 12) Joel Blutfield 13) Bob Stofft 14) Jim Pagels 15) Bob Katz 16) Jesse Ochoa 17) Ed Eckert 18) Arnold Segovia 19) John Misiaszek.

Meet the TOTS

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

Meet the TOTS shortstops


Ed Rife, 75, Born: Akron, Ohio.....Member of the TOTS since 2000.....A smooth infielder and one the TOTS top pitchers.....Nickname: "Mr. Smooth".

Arnie White, 71, Born: Fulton, New York.....Member of the TOTS since 2010.....Currently a professor at the UofA.....owns a ranch in Montana....Played in his second MSBl/MABL World Series this year.....Nickname: "Cowboy".

Dave Rhoades, 68, Born: Greely, CO.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....A Rockies' fan.....Currently a Financial Advisor.....Nickname: "Money"

Dennis Crowley, 63, Born: Boston, MA......Member of the TOTS since 2010.....A left hander and the "fastest" TOT.....Nickname: "Wheels".

Delon "Doc" Thompson, 70, Born: Roland, IA.....Member of the TOTS since 2011.....A Country Western singer.....travels the country promoting his Albums.....A hard-throwing right hander.....played in the minor leagues in the 1960s.....Nicknames: "The Music Man" and "The Cyclone Kid" -- he once played and pitched for the Iowa State Cyclones.

Chico Bigham, 74, Born: Monroe, NC.....Member of the TOTS since 1999.....A pitcher in the TOTS' rotation and known for his ability to pitch a lot of innings. Nicknames: "Rubber Arm" and "The Architect" -- also maintains our ball field, three days a week for 52 weeks, year in year out.

Ron Petersen, 65, Born: Lamars, IA.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....Also in the TOTS' pitching rotation along with Rife, White, Crowley, Thompson, Bigham, Billy Heiny and Lloyd Barzell.....Lives and breathes baseball....once owned a baseball card store and helps run a local Fantasy Baseball League which has been existence for more than 20 years....Nickname: "Mr. Baseball".

Meet the TOTS catchers

Billy Heiny, 83, Born: Terre Haute, IN.....Member of the TOTS since 1997.....Catches, pitches, plays infield and outfield...does it all. Nickname: "Doc" -- he's a retired Dentist.

John Petrick, 70, Born: Burnet, TX.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....Hails from Texas, spends part of the year in Tucson.....Nickname: "The Texan"

Dick McAnally, 80, Born: Tulsa, OK.....A retired attorney, the club needs at least one! Nickname: "Coach" -- I haven't found out why, but many of the players refer to him as such.

Pete Peters, 63, Born: Fairfield, IA.....Former fast-pitch softball pitcher....played in his first MSBL/MABL World Series this year.....Nickname: "Pistol Pete"  -- hurt his arm earlier in the year and could bounce the ball underhand on one hop, right on target, to second base.

Ron Kwart, 79, Born: Detroit, MI.....Former high school baseball coach and retired firefighter.....Nickname: "The Fireman".

Ted Davis, 61, Born: Athens, Alabama.....A former assistant Dean of Finance at the University of Arizona.....One of the youngest ball players on the TOTS.....A UofA fan -- the University of Alabama, that is...Nickname: "Alabama Redneck" (a no-brainer)

Photos: Top to bottom: 1) Ed Rife 2) Arnie White 3) Dennis Crowley 4) Delon "Doc" Thompson 5) Chico Bigham 6) Ted Davis 7) Ron Petersen 8) Billy Heiny 9) Ron Kwart 10) Dick McAnally 11) Pete Peters 12) John Petrick 13) Dave Rhoades

Meet the TOTS

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

Meet the TOTS third basemen


Lloyd Barzell, 62, Born: Bronx, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 2010....One of the TOTS younger players, still working with Special Needs Children.....Nickname: "The Baby Bull" -- goes all out when he takes the field.

Chuck Sabalos, 62, Born: New York, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 2010....A former Pima Country Superior Court Judge and currently a scorekeeper at UofA basketball games...once caught behind the plate for former major league pitcher Pat Darcy.....Nickname: "The Judge".

Ron Boeve, 76, Born: Holland, MI.....Member of the TOTS since 2004.....Lives in Michigan most of the year, has a college (Hope College) softball field named after him.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

Dan Hughes, 64, Born: Los Angeles, CA.....Member of the TOTS since 2010.....One of the younger TOTS.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

Sam Johnson, 67, Born: Los Angeles, CA.....Member of the TOTS since 2006.....A professor at the UofA and still a International Consultant for the university.....Nickname: "A Smart fellow" -- nothing else comes to mind, but it will.

Danny Price, 67, Born: Little Rock, AR.....Member of the TOTS since 2008....The one responsible for this blog and the one to blame for the "nicknames".....My Nickname: "The Pigpen" -- on the ground a lot, some refer to me as the "Hotdog".

Dick Ducklow, 71, Born: Spring Valley, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 2009...A Green Bay fan and    another one of those pull it down-the-third baseline hitters...Nickname: "Big D" --Says he was called "Duck" in school.

Denny Heath, 76, Born: Minneapolis, MN.....Member of the TOTS since 1995...Loves to play golf almost as much as baseball....Nickname: "The Banger" -- While in the Army went 12-0 as a boxer...lost his 13th fight and hung up his gloves.

Photos: Top to Bottom: 1) Denny Heath 2) Lloyd Barzell 3) Dick Ducklow 4) Danny Price 5) Chuck Sabalos.