Tuitama masters UA's offense through film to expand options

Arizona's Willie Tuitama heads into the 2006 season with high expectations for himself personally and the Wildcats team as a whole.

UA Sports

Tuitama masters UA's offense through film to expand options

By Ryan Finley

arizona daily star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.08.2006

Quarterback Willie Tuitama reported to camp last week sporting 30 extra pounds of muscle.

But it is Tuitama's improvements in the film room, not the weight room, that have coaches raving.

The sophomore signal-caller is close to mastering the UA's complicated offense after playing strictly on instinct for most of 2005. As a result, the Wildcats' offensive options should increase exponentially when they open the season against BYU on Sept. 2.

"After going through everything I did last year, I know so much more," Tuitama said. "At this point ... I know 100 percent more than I did last year."

Tuitama credits off-season film sessions with offensive coordinator Mike Canales and Tuitama's friendship with backup Adam Austin as reasons for the improvement.

Tuitama and Austin, a fifth-year senior who wants to go into coaching, are roommates.

"I have a lot of advice to give," Austin said.

Tuitama's shortcomings hardly showed last year, when — as a true freshman — he helped orchestrate wins over Oregon State and No. 5 UCLA after spending the first six games on the sidelines.

Tuitama completed 82 of 142 attempts for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns in five games. His 136.99 pass efficiency rating was good for sixth-best in the program's history.

But the UA offense was often limited with Tuitama in the game.

While his physical skills allowed the Cats to throw downfield more, his inexperience in the system forced coaches to keep things simple.

Now, Tuitama says he has a firmer grasp on the offense. The sophomore even did his best Peyton Manning impression, calling audibles, during the Cats' first week of practice.

Previous blog articles on or mentioning Willie Tuitama
July 25, 2006
June 15, 2006
May 12, 2006