Sept. 16, 2000
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Ortege Jenkins threw for 200 yards and Andrae Thurman returned a blocked punt 34 yards for a touchdown as Arizona beat San Diego State 17-3 on Saturday night.
The Wildcats (2-1) averaged just 74 passing yards in their first two games this season. But against the Aztecs (0-3), Jenkins was 19-of-29 with two touchdowns.
Jenkins gave Arizona a 7-3 lead with a 12-yard scoring pass to Malosi Leonard with 12 seconds left in the first half.
Sean Keel's 41-yard field goal early in the third quarter - set up by Jenkins' 19-yard pass to Leonard - made it 10-3.
The Wildcats sealed the win when Brandon Nash blocked Justin Sisco's punt, and Thurman scooped up the ball and ran it in with 9:45 to play.
Lance Briggs' interception at the Wildcats' 27 with five minutes remaining ended San Diego State's comeback try.
Lon Sheriff, starting in place of the injured Jack Hawley, completed 15 of 29 passes for 124 yards for the Aztecs.
Hawley is out indefinitely with a fractured vertebra.
San Diego's Nate Tanberg made a 45-yard field goal with 5:33 left in the first half.