Sep 3, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez watches from the sideline during the first quarter against the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at Arizona Stadium. Arizona won 42-32. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
There is so much great information out there on the Arizona Football team that we cannot help but pull some highlights for your enjoyment.
Coach Rich Rodriguez
More from Wildcats Football
- Arizona Football begins Conference play against Stanford
- Arizona Football starts slow but runs away from UTEP
- How Wildcats Fans Can Claim $200 INSTANT Bonus at BetMGM Betting $10 Right Now
- Costly Mistakes doom Arizona Football in loss to Mississippi State
- How can Arizona Football beat Mississippi State on the road?
If you haven’t heard yet, the Arizona football team is suffering from a series of injuries to their crew of middle linebackers:
- First string: Cody Ippolito out for the season, Scooby Wright out 2-3 more weeks
- Second string: Haden Gregory out 2-4 weeks
- Third string: Derrick Turituri played some in Nevada game
- Fourth string: True freshman Tre Tyler rolled his ankle and left Nevada with a boot on might play against NAU
Next Wildcat up? DeAndre’ Miller and hopefully Derrick Turituri and Jake Matthews.
Coach Rich Rodriguez has been asked ad nauseam about his situation. Once again he was asked during the Pac-12 Football Coaches Conference Call this morning. “We are pulling from everywhere,” Rich Rod said,”We ain’t got enough bodies to tinker [with]..that’s the truth, we’re moving guys around..we’re just trying to get guys healthy and try to get three linebackers out there that can play at a high level.”
He was also asked about if he was overlooking NAU and assuming a “win” much like ZonaZealots writer Brad Malone talked about in his article, ‘Arizona Football Journal Week 2: Cats Claw Wolf Pack.’
“I think that’s brought up by the media..in our level the games are so important, they all count as one and the routine stays the same..we take the same approach every week whether it’s a big important conference game or a non-conference game, we’re going to have the same routine..your first concern each and every week is yourself anyway.”
Arizona Wildcats
Another interesting question was from Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com. The conference administrator called him Dennis Dude, Dennis corrected her and then Coach Rich Rod responded, “I like Dude better! [laughter all around]”
He asked the coach about the freshman who played for Arizona in the last couple of weeks, “I think you’re going to see more and more guys, more freshman play. Two reasons: one, they are probably more prepared to play but, two, you have to play more people,” he said, “I think that’s the biggest reason, I think everyone is trying play more people because of the number plays and just keeping guys fresh.”
Explaining why freshmen are more prepared to play college football these days, “I think as much criticism as their’s been for seven-on-seven leagues, and year around football that’s helped..They get to campus earlier, and coaches can work with them in the summer now, where as before they couldn’t..the players get acclimated pretty quickly now in their summer before their first year.”
“Dude out,” said Chris. “See ya Dude,” said Rich. Hilarious.
Next: Even More Hilarity Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian hit with two penalties
Sep 12, 2015; Reno, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian questions a penalty in second quarter of their NCAA football game with Arizona Wildcats at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Nevada Wolf Pack Head Coach Brian Polian was hit with not one, but two penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct during the game last Saturday afternoon. He apologized to Arizona Head Coach Rich Rodriguez, but Rich Rod didn’t think much of it. He did, however, remind everyone that he has never received any penalties as a coach in a game.
More from Wildcats Football
- Arizona Football begins Conference play against Stanford
- Arizona Football starts slow but runs away from UTEP
- How Wildcats Fans Can Claim $200 INSTANT Bonus at BetMGM Betting $10 Right Now
- Costly Mistakes doom Arizona Football in loss to Mississippi State
- How can Arizona Football beat Mississippi State on the road?
“First of all I’ll address the most obvious thing right now,” Polian said “The two penalties I receive tonight I own completely I apologize to the team, I let the team down tonight there is not doubt about it.” Then he continued to explain why he was upset and defended himself, and that he owns the apparent fact that he has now earned himself a reputation.
Many fans would think that Coach Rich Rod had more to complain about, especially the fumble call, where every part of Nick Wilson‘s body seemed to be touching the ground except his chin. We all wondered why the fumble call wasn’t overturned during the review. Rich Rod kept it together, and this time he did not pull Wilson.
Our Bruin sister site editor from GoJoeBruin.com agreed with Arizona fans and Coach Polian about the referees in the Mountain West division.
These Mountain West refs are the worst.
— Go Joe Bruin (@GoJoeBruinUCLA) September 13, 2015
As reported by Sports Illustrated: Brian Polian was fined $10,000 by his own athletic department on Tuesday for the two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, they feel this is the third year of unacceptable behavior from the coach outside school standards. Polian will also have an administrative official on the sidelines during games and have additional reporting requirements to the athletic director. OUCH!
Here is the news conference in its entirety, and I don’t that word lightly. Sit back and enjoy, it’s a long apology:
Next: Daniel Berk of Tucson.com talks about, what else? Arizona's Middle Line Backer dilemma.
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Wildcats Sports writer Daniel Berk of Tucson.com wrote an excellent piece on true freshman MLB Tre Tyler and what it was like for him during the Nevada game when he experienced all of his more senior classmen going down in the fight one by one.
According to Berk, Tre’s time playing middle linebacker was ‘surreal’ as he played for a lot longer than he ever imagined to play in the game. Here are a few quotes from Berks’s interview with Tre:
"“I would dream about going in for a series or two.” “It felt unreal, it was a pretty humbling experience going out there and seeing what it’s like to go full speed in a game. It was my first time.”"
What is more impressive is that Tre played hurt, ‘Tyler made four tackles while dealing with an injury of his own. He rolled his ankle up on a tackle in the second quarter and exited for a couple of series’. He returned after halftime and played the entirety of the second half.’
More from Daniel –>Arizona football: On Tyler’s day, Polian’s outburst, Wildcats firsts
Next: Javier Morales gives out his weekly Cat Stickers
Oct 5, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; General view of a PAC 12 emblem with near a NCAA referee before the start of the game between the Oregon Ducks against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
All Sports Tucson’s Javier Morales (@JavierMorales) gives out helmet stickers to the Arizona football team each week based on a series of criteria. This week he awarded the Wildcats seven stickers:
"Arizona earned a sticker forcing seven three-and-outs defensively after UTSA was limited to only one three-and-out in the season opener. So far, Arizona has 15 stickers, for an average of 7.5 a game. Last year, the Wildcats averaged 7.8, including 8.4 in their 10 victories. More consistency on offense, converting on third and fourth down in crucial situations and applying more pressure defensively will be paramount for Arizona to have a successful season in the Pac-12 South."
More great analysis and information on this topic –> Arizona Wildcats Helmet Sticker Update: UA achieves seven in win over Nevada
Next: Arizona Football: Commit Antonio Parks Arriving in the Spring