Arizona Football: Sumlin looking for more consistency and players doing their job

If Arizona Football beats the Cal Bears on Saturday, the team will once again have a winning record at 3-2, but it will take consistency according to head coach Kevin Sumlin.

Arizona Football head coach Kevin Sumlin feels he is always learning. He stresses communication and establishes a culture which includes everything. In the first team meeting, he wanted to build trust. Sumlin told his team on “The Drive”, “Be consistent, right? Do what you are supposed to do — we gotta get better, we gotta get better individually — the best you is the best us — can I be better this week? As long as each one of us get better every day, this team is getting better.”

Sumlin emphasizes “The best you is the best us.” He feels the team can be so much better.

Kahlil Tate gave folks some insight on Sumlin on “The Drive.” He said that Sumlin told the team in their first meeting, “Don’t waste my time and I won’t waste yours.” Tate felt that was unique and woke everyone up. Maybe that message should be reiterated this week? Or maybe it’s a theme? We don’t know.

The Cats need to find their identity, the team and coaches were all thrown together. No wonder why it’s not a slam dunk to get everyone to work together well, they need practice. Sean Poindexter said everyone on the team believes in and trusts coach Sumlin and that will bring success.

Sumlin mentioned after the USC Game that he would like to see more consistency, that the defense played differently in the second half. He wants his team to be more consistent across the board.

Arizona Wildcats Football

As far as PJ Johnson Sumlin had this to say, “The last two weeks I think you have seen the impact he has made,” said Sumlin in this week’s Wildcat Weekly with Brian Jeffries, “We made a decision to get him on the field instead of the rotation — He can rush the passer, you know 330, 340. He’s hard to move.”

Sumlin was asked on the Pac-12 Teleconference Call about the increase in defensive sacks (seven in last three games), “I think it’s a combination of things too, of a scheme, and also you know some personnel changes. And obviously, PJ moving to end in the last couple of games have really helped that.”

Could PJ become the next Scooby Wright III?

It seems the Wildcats have proved they can come out of the locker room at halftime and make adjustments in order to give their team a chance to win. And that’s fantastic, It just needs to happen sooner in the game. So being consistent by coming out of the gates playing as they would play in the second half would obviously put the Cats in a better position to win.

Sumlin is preparing for Cal’s two quarterbacks by noticing they are different in style and scheme, and they have shown they can do different things. “They also insert quarterbacks at different times.” That will be interesting, wonder if Arizona will do the same? Rich Rod used to change it up a bit, will be interesting since so much emphasis has been on Tate’s ankle, maybe this will be a good game to give him some rest.

Sumlin also spoke about players playing to their strengths and the pressure on a team from the media, “Pressure is what you put on yourself. We keep pressure on ourselves — to be the best they can be — what you can control is your performance and your effort.”

Other notes:

• NOTE: PJ has a new nickname, “The Presence,” he announced it on Twitter.
• The team has a lot of fun in the locker room after practice, just follow Devaughn Coopers Instagram account. They really have a lot of chemistry and enjoy their time together. Sumlin seems to be fostering a more cohesive team, and the players have to find it in themselves to rise to the occasion and do their job to help the Wildcats win.
• Tucson local Stanley Berryhill, a walk-on who just earned a scholarship, spoke about his legacy at the University of Arizona including conversations with his dad about it being a dream and about his grandpa being an Alum. Berryhill says the offense is focused on correcting the details. He says every weekend is family weekend for him since they are local and it means a lot to him.
• Sumlin noted that his tight ends are open, but the plays that have been called have been more for the deep ball and runs, so they haven’t had too much of an opportunity. This is a question ZZ asks every season, but because of a reduced lack of access to the coach and players, we have to rely on the newspapers. Finally Michael Lev asked our question.
• Jason Scheer is projecting that Tate may get a rest this week and Jamarye Joiner may get the nod. Tate hasn’t been the same since fellow Heisman Trophy candidate Ed Oliver (Houston) twisted Tate’s ankle and then it was exacerbated by USC also seemed to target Tate, the tackled then stretched him out like he was a wishbone on a Turkey.

And then there is this, poor Wilbur!

In case you have DIRECTV and or you missed it, here is the Arizona installment of The Drive:

Arizona hosts the Cal Bears at home for Parent Week on Saturday, October 6th at 7:00 pm and will be seen by everyone who can get access to Fox Sports 1. Bear Down and beat the Bears!