Arizona was back to work today going with another heavy work day as it prepares to take on Colorado this Saturday night. Here are the quick notes from Wednesday's practice.
* The mood after practice was once again a positive one. Rich Rodriguez has continued to say how much he likes the attitude of the team and he said Tuesday that maybe it changes when he's not around but he hasn't sensed a team that's giving up or not buying into everything right now. Talking to some of the defensive players today that continues to be the outlook. Paul Magloire said while the experience has humbled the team there hasn't been any reason to hang their heads in their minds.
Dane Cruikshank echoed something Anu Solomon said yesterday in that if there are players who feel like they don't love the game even in a season like this the team doesn't want them. So, from the sounds it the group is doing a good job of sticking together in a tough season.
* When asked about Colorado's defense today Rodriguez named pretty much every element that Arizona has not done well this season that he believes the Buffs excel at. Tackling and being in the right spot defensively are two things the Arizona head coach noted as being bigger elements of what the Buffs do.
* Rodriguez said right now a lot of the focus is on making the final three games good ones for the seniors. He wants to send that group out on a high note and talking with some of the players that is the hope as well.
* I asked Rodriguez if a season like this can teach him things as a coach even though he has been doing it for such a long time. He said it does and he tries to learn something new every season but the adversity has been useful to him moving forward.
* Cruikshank said he feels the experience the secondary is getting right now, as much as it has come with its bumps, will eventually help that young group on the back end. The game against Washington State was something a lot of the players on defense have not been through and he said most of those young players haven't lost games like Arizona is losing right now. He feels a positive will be that Arizona won't want to have it happen again and it will benefit the team.
He also noted that there is still something to show recruits in this season that they do want to be a part of the program and the defense and he knows that is important.
* The mood after practice was once again a positive one. Rich Rodriguez has continued to say how much he likes the attitude of the team and he said Tuesday that maybe it changes when he's not around but he hasn't sensed a team that's giving up or not buying into everything right now. Talking to some of the defensive players today that continues to be the outlook. Paul Magloire said while the experience has humbled the team there hasn't been any reason to hang their heads in their minds.
Dane Cruikshank echoed something Anu Solomon said yesterday in that if there are players who feel like they don't love the game even in a season like this the team doesn't want them. So, from the sounds it the group is doing a good job of sticking together in a tough season.
* When asked about Colorado's defense today Rodriguez named pretty much every element that Arizona has not done well this season that he believes the Buffs excel at. Tackling and being in the right spot defensively are two things the Arizona head coach noted as being bigger elements of what the Buffs do.
* Rodriguez said right now a lot of the focus is on making the final three games good ones for the seniors. He wants to send that group out on a high note and talking with some of the players that is the hope as well.
* I asked Rodriguez if a season like this can teach him things as a coach even though he has been doing it for such a long time. He said it does and he tries to learn something new every season but the adversity has been useful to him moving forward.
* Cruikshank said he feels the experience the secondary is getting right now, as much as it has come with its bumps, will eventually help that young group on the back end. The game against Washington State was something a lot of the players on defense have not been through and he said most of those young players haven't lost games like Arizona is losing right now. He feels a positive will be that Arizona won't want to have it happen again and it will benefit the team.
He also noted that there is still something to show recruits in this season that they do want to be a part of the program and the defense and he knows that is important.
