3 Names to know

VUNA TUIHALAMAKA Arizona linebacker

The middle linebacker is key in Mike Stoops’ defensive schemes, and the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Tuihalamaka fits right in. Ranging from sideline to sideline, the Inglewood, Calif., native not only is key to Arizona’s rushing defense (yielding 101.3 yards per game, second in the Pac-10) but also runs well enough to be a factor in pass defense as well.

JAY MATTHEWS WSU safety

With usual starting safety Chima Nwachukwu out with a sprained ankle, the redshirt freshman from Lake Oswego, Ore., is stepping in. Matthews spent his first year on campus with the scout team then missed much of the spring and summer recovering from a shoulder injury suffered last season. He wasn’t cleared to begin fully hitting until a month into fall camp but by then had already impressed WSU coaches with his ability to learn quickly. At 6-1 and 207 pounds, Matthews is still growing.

NICK FOLES Arizona quarterback

Coming out of high school in Austin, Texas, Foles originally was headed up the road to Arizona State. But when coach Dirk Koetter was fired, Foles decided to attend Michigan State. The cold weather wasn’t for him, however, so he transferred to Arizona. When the season started, he was behind Matt Scott. But the 6-5, 235-pound Foles took over in the season’s third game and hasn’t let go, completing 72.3 percent for 1,399 yards.