Arizona is starting up a new week and Monday was a chance for Rich Rodriguez and a couple players to meet with the media to talk about the final two games of the year and this Saturday's game against Oregon State.
* The first thing that was clear during Monday's press conference is what was evident some Saturday night after the loss to Colorado. Rodriguez has gone full circle and the entire spectrum of emotions this season but as things stand now he is almost back to being loose and accepting this season is what it is. He was not angry in any way Monday and again just seemed looser than I can remember at any one point this year.
He did say this is "probably" his most frustrating season as a coach but overall the mood he has right now is a far cry from where he would have been in season's past. He was also adamant that he feels the program is going to be in a better spot in the years to come saying "I know we're going to be really good in the future."
* Nothing has really changed with the depth chart this week other than John Kenny now being listed as a co-starter at STUD linebacker after getting the start over DeAndre' Miller on Saturday. In addition to that Edgar Gastelum is no longer listed on the depth chart and Rodriguez said Monday he will most likely not be playing football at Arizona again for reasons in addition to his concussion from an errant ball in practice.
Tyrell Johnson is also back on the depth chart after being removed from it on Saturday and missing the previous couple of games with a hamstring injury.
* There will be no real change at the quarterback position as Rodriguez said the plan is to once again use both Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins on Saturday. He is still leaving the possibility of starting Solomon against Oregon State but he will not commit to it other than to say that it is a possibility. As for why Solomon didn't start against Colorado the UA head coach simply said it was a "coach's decision" and that was it.
* Saturday's game had a lot of penalties and Rodriguez said that is where a lot of his frustration came from in the game. Some he didn't agree with but others were just mistakes by his team. Of the calls he didn't agree with one that seems to be sticking out to him most is the intentional grounding call on the Wildcats. Rodriguez felt there was a receiver in the area and it shouldn't have been called.
On Nate Phillips' catch-and-fumble play Rodriguez said he felt it was indeed a catch and fumble and thus he didn't feel the need for the play to be challenged or seek a review of it.
* When it comes to Oregon State, Rodriguez said the Beavers remind him of where Colorado was a couple years ago where they are losing games close and have certain players at certain positions who are good. He said much like Arizona is looking at a winnable game he's sure Oregon State is looking at UA the same way.
* The first thing that was clear during Monday's press conference is what was evident some Saturday night after the loss to Colorado. Rodriguez has gone full circle and the entire spectrum of emotions this season but as things stand now he is almost back to being loose and accepting this season is what it is. He was not angry in any way Monday and again just seemed looser than I can remember at any one point this year.
He did say this is "probably" his most frustrating season as a coach but overall the mood he has right now is a far cry from where he would have been in season's past. He was also adamant that he feels the program is going to be in a better spot in the years to come saying "I know we're going to be really good in the future."
* Nothing has really changed with the depth chart this week other than John Kenny now being listed as a co-starter at STUD linebacker after getting the start over DeAndre' Miller on Saturday. In addition to that Edgar Gastelum is no longer listed on the depth chart and Rodriguez said Monday he will most likely not be playing football at Arizona again for reasons in addition to his concussion from an errant ball in practice.
Tyrell Johnson is also back on the depth chart after being removed from it on Saturday and missing the previous couple of games with a hamstring injury.
* There will be no real change at the quarterback position as Rodriguez said the plan is to once again use both Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins on Saturday. He is still leaving the possibility of starting Solomon against Oregon State but he will not commit to it other than to say that it is a possibility. As for why Solomon didn't start against Colorado the UA head coach simply said it was a "coach's decision" and that was it.
* Saturday's game had a lot of penalties and Rodriguez said that is where a lot of his frustration came from in the game. Some he didn't agree with but others were just mistakes by his team. Of the calls he didn't agree with one that seems to be sticking out to him most is the intentional grounding call on the Wildcats. Rodriguez felt there was a receiver in the area and it shouldn't have been called.
On Nate Phillips' catch-and-fumble play Rodriguez said he felt it was indeed a catch and fumble and thus he didn't feel the need for the play to be challenged or seek a review of it.
* When it comes to Oregon State, Rodriguez said the Beavers remind him of where Colorado was a couple years ago where they are losing games close and have certain players at certain positions who are good. He said much like Arizona is looking at a winnable game he's sure Oregon State is looking at UA the same way.
