Jenkins Gives Arizona a Lift

Ortege Jenkins scored on a nine-yard run--somersaulting over three defenders into the end zone--with four seconds left to give No. 14 Arizona a 31-28 victory over No. 20 Washington on Saturday night.

The Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Pacific 10 Conference) won their ninth game in a row over two seasons.

Arizona, which won in Seattle for the first time since 1988, drove 80 yards for its winning score to ruin Marques Tuiasosopo’s big night as Washington’s replacement quarterback.

Tuiasosopo came into the game after starter Brock Huard was knocked out with a badly bruised left shoulder late in the first half.

Jenkins, who alternates with Keith Smith as Arizona’s quarterback, scored on second and 10, vaulting into the end zone and landing on his feet in an amazing play.

Washington dropped to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-10.

The Huskies’ Jim Skurski missed a 23-yard field goal attempt with 2:59 left.

On Arizona’s last-gasp drive, Jenkins was the quarterback for all but one play. On the fourth play, Smith replaced Jenkins at quarterback and passed 22 yards--to Jenkins--for a first down at the Washington 46.

Jenkins was 10 for 19 for 111 yards and one touchdown. Smith was 9 for 14 for 146 yards and one touchdown.

Tuiasosopo was seven for 14 for 77 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He had 70 yards on seven carries.

The game had some scary minutes when Arizona linebacker Marcus Bell, who finished with 21 tackles, ran into Wildcat cornerback Leland Gayles in the third quarter. Gayles lay on the Husky Stadium artificial turf for about 15 minutes before being taken off on a stretcher to an ambulance.

But Arizona team officials said Gayles’ injury turned out to be a stinger that caused his left arm to go numb. He later was able to move his arm, they said.