At last seasons end, Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez said sometimes you have to get to the bottom, in order to bounce back up. And on Saturday, Rich Rod will finally get to get back out on a football field to see if this year's Wildcat's can bounce back.
Freshman linebacker Tony Fields II said that even though he wasn't on the team last year during their 3-9 season, he hears the team and the coaches say it all the time. It is constant reminder, so much so that he feels like he went 3-9 too.
When asked how much evaluation can be made in this years opener against NAU on Saturday, defensive coordinator Marcel Yates said it was too soon to tell, considering the historic lopsidedness of Arizona's matchups with NAU. But he added it doesn't matter if they're playing NAU or USC..."These guys have got to be ready to play."
With so many newcomers, Rich Rod says he expects to see some nerves, but that some guys are even when the game lights come on. Rodriguez was also asked about how junior quarterback Brandon Dawkins has progressed since fall camp, after saying he hopes to feel comfortable enough to be able to check downs on his own, without having to look to the sidelines..."Brandon, and some of the guys that have been in the program for several years, I think he's got enough confidence, and he knows the offense well enough that he can make several checks himself."
Other notes: former Wildcat QB Anu Solomon has won the starting job at Baylor. They begin their season Saturday against Liberty.
The PAC-12 is experimenting with shorter halftimes, and less game break...Arizona's game this weekend will feature a truncated halftime of 15 minutes.