Carroll looking forward to facing Harris

Most head coaches are at least familiar with their counterpart on the opposite sideline. This week, however, Stanford’s Walt Harris and USC’s Pete Carroll will be looking across the field at someone more than just an acquaintance through conventions and pre-game handshakes.

Carroll played college football at Pacific while Harris was an assistant coach there – in fact, Harris made a home visit to recruit Carroll. Years later, Harris and Carroll were assistants for the New York Jets, and Harris stayed on board when Carroll was the head coach. Carroll’s son, Brennan, now a tight ends coach under his father, also played for Harris at Pittsburgh.

Now, though, Harris and Carroll can’t be pickup basketball buddies. They’re opposing coaches in a conference game.

“He was a big influence on me,” Carroll said of his longtime friend. “I’ve always liked playing against guys I know. … There’s something unique about it and I enjoy it.”

Harris, ostensibly, has the much tougher job this week going up against the No. 1 team in the nation, possibly without an injured Mark Bradford at wide receiver. Harris and Carroll still speak occasionally during the season, but in breaking down the Trojan schemes Harris found himself questioning Carroll.

“I talk to him more in terms of when I’m watching the tape, you know, ‘What are you doing here, Pete?’ ” Harris said. “Of course, he’s not in the room (to answer).”

Tuitama on top

It didn’t take long for Arizona freshman quarterback Willie Tuitama to register his first win. Just a year out of high school, the Stockton, Calif., native led his team to a 29-27 road win at Oregon State in his first career start.

“Willie, he’s the ultimate competitor and a gamer,” head coach Mike Stoops said. “No question that Willie brings all the intangibles to the field.”

Stoops, as is his apparent preference anyway, played it fairly close to the vest with a freshman under center. But Tuitama, a much-hyped recruit out of high school, lived up to his billing after replacing Richard Kovalchuk, who was in the midst of a disappointing sophomore season.

More than half of Arizona’s starters are freshmen or sophomores, so Tuitama fits right in with the Wildcats’ rebuilding project. And while nothing is certain, it appears Stoops may have his quarterback of the next few years in place.

Notes

Oregon State will not be making a switch at quarterback despite Matt Moore‘s recent struggles, head coach Mike Riley said.