Farmer Helps the Wildcats Strike Back at Stanford, 27-3

Clarence Farmer’s first big game was something to remember.

Farmer ran for 116 yards and a touchdown, and Ortege Jenkins passed for 198 yards and another score as Arizona routed Stanford, 27-3, on Saturday.

The Wildcats’ three-back offense turned into a one-man show in an easy victory for Arizona, which led by 20 points early in the second quarter and cruised from there.

Farmer, a freshman who had only 15 carries in Arizona’s first three games, battered Stanford’s defensive front on several long drives and scored early in the second quarter to help Arizona, 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference, win its conference opener.

“Our goal was to make a statement,” Farmer said. “We may not be clicking and running full throttle right now [on offense], but our defense is out there stopping people, and that gives us inspiration.”

Actually, Arizona’s offense moved the ball well--particularly on the ground, where an offensive line with two missing starters won its battle against Stanford’s defensive line.

Jenkins completed 12 of 22 passes in his best start since taking over as Arizona’s full-time starter after three years sharing time with Keith Smith.

“It feels good that we can come out here and make things happen like that,” Jenkins said.

Stanford (2-2, 1-1) lost for only the second time in 12 conference games. Stanford scored its fewest points since a 14-0 loss to Wisconsin on Sept. 21, 1996.

“We didn’t execute well, and when you don’t execute well against good, crisp defensive teams, you put yourself behind,” Stanford Coach Tyrone Willingham said.

Stanford got its only points on Mike Biselli’s 30-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. The Cardinal managed only 103 yards rushing.

On a sweltering day at Stanford Stadium, the Wildcats avenged last season’s 50-22 loss to the Cardinal in Tucson and gave the Cardinal their second home loss in three games this season. Arizona won for the fifth consecutive time on Stanford’s home field.

“To start the conference on the road with a win against the defending champions, I don’t think it gets much better,” Arizona Coach Dick Tomey said.