Matt Scott has been through a lot in his four years at the UA. He showed promise out of Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., but never could grab the starting quarterback job.
Scott started out the 2009 season as the starter, but the emergence of Michigan State transfer Nick Foles knocked Scott out of the starting spot by the week four matchup at Oregon State.
Scott played sparingly the rest of the season.
The 2010 season rolled along with Foles firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback, but he was hurt early in a contest against the Washington State Cougars. Scott filled in, gaining wins in week seven and eight. Once Foles recovered, Scott was forced back to the bench.
Foles materialized as one of the better quarterbacks in Arizona football history and the unquestioned leader of the 2011 squad. Scott, entering his senior season, chose to redshirt in order to be replacement for Foles, who was also entering his senior year.
“I really didn’t get that shot (to start) right away,” Scott said. “Now I want to take full advantage of every opportunity I get. (Being the backup) was a real humbling experience for me, and it really made me realize that not everything is given to you. It’s making me work a lot harder already.”
After head coach Mike Stoops was fired during the 2011 season, Arizona hired Rich Rodriguez to be the new coach, and Scott looked like the perfect player to lead the run based offense set to be installed by Rodriguez.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Scott said. “Coach Rodriguez coming in here with this offense is a good fit for me.”
Rodriguez’s dynamic spread-option offense seems like an ideal fit for Scott, who is an exceptionally mobile quarterback. His ability to run is key, as a dual threat quarterback is needed in a spread-option offense. Scott will have plenty of opportunities to get out of the pocket and make a play with both his feet and arm.
“We’ve got a new system but he (Scott) fits it really well,” wide receiver Dan Buckner said. “Having a quarterback that’s been out there and seasoned makes it that much easier for the offense. Me and Matt have been practicing together for three years, the connection is there. He’s a real student of the game.”
Scott is being counted on to successfully usher in a new era under Rodriguez. If the spring practices are any indication, Scott is ready to carry that burden to a successful season.
“He’s a great passer, he can move and he can extend the play outside the pocket,” Buckner said. “Whether that means throwing or running the zone read. He’s going to add an extra dimension to the offense.”
