The reality struck Layth Friekh when the bus pulled away on the Friday before the season opener. The Arizona Wildcats were bound for the team hotel. Friekh wouldn’t be able to join them.
“That’s when it really hit me: ‘Man, I’m not going to play this week,’” the senior tackle said Tuesday. “Since then, I’ve just been waiting.”
The longest two weeks of Friekh’s life are finally over. His two-game hiatus, the result of a plea deal of sorts with the NCAA, has come to an end. Arizona’s most experienced, durable offensive lineman will return to the starting lineup Saturday night against Southern Utah.