Wildcats start with “Dollar” package, defense finishes strong

* Arizona used the “Dollar” package for the first team period. The Wildcats’ seven defensive backs: redshirt freshman cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, high safety Gunner Maldonado, sophomore “Star” Genesis Smith, safety Dalton Johnson, senior “Star” Treydan Stukes, Colgate transfer Owen Goss and Louisville transfer cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew. The three defensive linemen were Utah transfer edge rusher Chase Kennedy, redshirt freshman Dominic Lolesio at center and junior Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei at defensive end, with junior linebacker Jacob Manu at second level. Kennedy nearly had a sack.

* Senior kicker Tyler Loop made a 50-yard field goal from the left hash mark. Freshman kicker and punter Michael Salgado-Medina took over the holder role. Salgado-Medina and walk-on Jordan Forbes swapped punter roles in the first period Tuesday. Australia native and new punter Lachlan Bruce took over the second-period punt role. Defensive tackle Kevon Darton (transfer from Syracuse), edge rusher Lance Keneley (transfer from Stanford) and defensive tackle Keanu Mailoto took over the role of the protective wall in Arizona’s punt coverage. Defensive back Jack Luttrell (transfer from Tennessee), wide receiver Jeremiah Patterson (junior college transfer) and walk-on receiver Jordan McCord returned punts. Linebacker Justin Flowe and wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig blocked a punt. Flowe has the athleticism and dynamism to shine on special teams.

* Uiagalelei had a team sack in the second period. Junior college transfer defensive end Cyrus Durham recorded a sack, but the referees ruled a successful pass from quarterback Noah Fifita to running back Rayshon Luke, who ran a wheel route and sprinted about 50 yards to the goal line.

* Joey Capra, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound redshirt senior from Nevada, changed and watched practice. Capra and starting center Josh Baker worked side-by-side outside of Arizona’s team period, with the freshman lined up at right guard.

* Tight end Roberto Miranda botched a catch in the scrum for a touchdown against Johnson in a 7-on-7 period. Quarterback Anthony Garcia, a transfer from San Jose State who is battling for the backup quarterback spot, threw an over-the-shoulder pass to receiver Reymello Murphy, a transfer from Old Dominion, for a 45-yard touchdown.

* The Wildcats had a team phase focused on the goal line. Potential backup quarterback Cole Tannenbaum rolled to his right and connected with Tucson native and former Canyon del Oro High School standout running back Kayden Luke. Linebacker Leviticus Su’a tackled running back Kedrick Reescano and made a tackle that resulted in a loss of yardage. Reescano had several impressive and powerful runs in probably his best practice of training camp.

* In the next period, Reescano picked up a few extra yards, drawing loud cheers from the offensive sideline. The first play of the period began with Fifita throwing a pass to a striding Rex Haynes for a huge gain. Flowe sacked Garcia on a linebacker blitz. In one of the most intense practices, the offense fought back against a defense that had the upper hand so far in training camp. After a fiery speech from defensive coordinator Lolesion and USC transfer defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou combined for a sack. On the next play, Maldonado intercepted a pass from Tannenbaum before Mailoto tackled Rayshon Luke for a loss of 4 yards. Maldonado rolled over Miranda on a dump-off pass in the final quarter.

* McMillan, in a red non-contact jersey, participated in limited reps in 7-on-7 and team periods. Redshirt junior right guard Leif Magnuson returned to the sidelines in a red jersey.