November 30, 2004
Third Arizona QB leaves team
Arizona lost its third Quarterback of the season, as backup Kris Heavner announced he will leave the school and transfer to Baylor.
Heavner was the Wildcats starting QB for six games last season, and played in 16 games overall in two seasons.
The sophomore was originally from Waco, Texas and stated that he wanted to be closer to his family and have the chance to start in a year for the Bears.
It's been a season of mass exodus at QB for the Wildcats, who are down to just one scholarship QB for the 2005 season, and just one committed QB recruit to date.
At the beginning of the season, Sophomore Backup Ryan O'Hara quit to go back home and take care of his younger brother who was hospitalized. That forced the team to do a 180 on Junior Nic Costa, who had been moved to WR due to the glut of QB's on the team. Costa was then moved back to QB to be Heavner's backup. Costa quit the team a short time later over the move, announcing that he was moving to Division I-AA Portland State as soon as he was released from the school. This moved redshirt Freshman Richard Kovalcheck into the backup slot.
When Heavner, who was in the top 5 nationally in QB efficiency after four games, reverted back to his struggles of 2003, Kovalcheck was thrust into the starting role. Both Heavner and Kovalcheck were slated to both redshirt the 2003 season, when the struggles of both Costa and O'Hara forced then interim coach Mike Hankwitz to burn Heavner's redshirt season.
Against ASU, Kovalcheck had somewhat of coming out party, throwing for 240 yards and 3 TD's. That no doubt sealed the deal of Heavner moving on.
He is a true sophomore, and will be eligible to play for Baylor as a junior for the 2006 season.
Quite an attrition from what was believed to be a position of strength for the Wildcats, as the QB recruits were the one positive that folks could point to of former coach John Mackovic's reign at Arizona. All four QB's entered the program as "Elite 11" QB recruits coming out of high school. But like Mackovic, it just hasn't panned out.
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