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Schooler brothers on opposite sides this week Oregon wide receiver Brenden Schooler, right, celebrates with quarterback Justin Herbert after a win over Utah. [AP FILE] Thursday Nov 16, 2017 at 8:25 PM Nov 16, 2017 at 8:25 PM By Steve MimsEugene Register-Guard EUGENE — Colin Schooler followed his brother’s lead once again. The lightly recruited Arizona linebacker earned a starting spot as a true freshman and turned into one of the top playmakers on defense for the Wildcats. “He’s gone out and proven himself like I went out and tried to prove myself last year,” Oregon sophomore wide receiver Brenden Schooler said. Brenden Schooler was a late addition to the Ducks’ 2016 recruiting class and led the team with four interceptions at safety last season. He worked his way into the starting lineup by the third game and finished his freshman season with 74 tackles. “He’s my big brother and I always look up to him, so the fact he went in and did what he did inspired me and gave me confidence I could do the same thing,” said Colin Schooler, who ranks second on the Wildcats with 63 tackles. After playing together through middle and high school, the Schooler brothers will face off for the first time Saturday when Arizona (7-3, 5-2) visits Oregon (5-5, 2-5) at 4 p.m. “It’s going to be different, I’ve always been with him so this is a first for me,” Brenden Schooler said. “He plays inside linebacker and I’ll be on the perimeter, so I’m not sure I’ll ever go against him. If he gets the chance, he’ll probably hit me and if I get the chance, I’ll probably hit him.” The soft-spoken Schooler brothers are easy to spot on the field with their long hair, a style started by Brenden during his junior year of high school and followed last year by Colin. The two played for legendary coach Bob Johnson at Mission Viejo (California) High School where their father, Tom, coaches the defensive line. Tom Schooler played football at Eastern Michigan, and his wife, Christine, played volleyball at Cal State Los Angeles. Brenden’s best college football option was Wyoming until he waited past signing day for Oregon to offer a scholarship. Colin received his first Power 5 conference offer from Arizona in December. “My recruiting wasn’t quite as slow as Brenden’s, but it has been argued that I should have had more offers, but I can’t control that,” Colin said. “I couldn’t be happier than I am here. I was blessed with this opportunity.” The 6-foot, 226-pound Schooler got his first start in Arizona’s 45-42 victory over Colorado on Oct. 7. Two weeks later he was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week after having 15 tackles and breaking up a pass to secure a 45-44 victory over California in double overtime. The following week, he returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown to help beat Washington State, 58-37. Schooler had two sacks in last week’s 49-28 win over Oregon State. “I’m not surprised at all,” Brenden said. “He’s a tough guy and makes plays. He has a strong motor, which is nothing I didn’t know playing with him all my life.” Colin is averaging eight tackles in seven Pac-12 games with 7½ tackles for loss. “I came in not knowing what to expect,” he said. “It’s a whole different environment, but I got a lot of help from the older guys and my coaches to earn a spot. From the first game to now, it’s a whole different deal in terms of confidence. I can run the whole defense now and be confident with reads and calls.” Arizona has won five of its past six games since Khalil Tate took over at quarterback against Colorado on the same day Schooler moved into the starting lineup. “He’s a really good football player,” Oregon coach Willie Taggart said of Colin Schooler. “He’s one of those kids, you might look at him like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if this kid can play.’ But you turn on the film and he’s a lot like his brother — tough and loves to play the game.” Brenden moved to wide receiver this season and has 17 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns. “He’s reliable and runs crisp routes,” his brother said. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before watching him develop since grade school to become someone to reckon with. “I was kind of surprised to see him move to offense, but he’ll tear it up. He’s a tremendous athlete.”