Rich Rodriguez and his staff want the Arizona Wildcats’ defense to play a certain way. They want it to be aggressive and ferocious. They want it to have an edge.
The tricky part is getting right up to that edge … without crossing it.
Arizona linebacker Michael Barton took it too far the past two weeks. The senior was whistled for two personal-foul penalties. One was more egregious than the other. But they both counted, and they both hurt the team.
Barton knows he can’t let it happen again.
The 2-5 Wildcats need everything to go right to turn around their season. Unnecessary penalties that result in automatic first downs are almost as damaging as turnovers.
“I know I messed up,” Barton said. “I’m ready to take the heat.”
Barton is among the most thoughtful, introspective Wildcats off the field. On it, like most players, he assumes a different persona.
“My thing has always been, play 110 percent,” Barton said. “You’ve just got to know when to tone it down a little bit.
“You’ve got to play till the whistle’s blown, play clean, keep your hand off the facemask, don’t hit the quarterback late.”
Or anyone else. The first personal foul against Barton came two Saturdays ago when he decked Utah running back Armand Shyne, the intended receiver on a screen pass gone awry. Barton hit Shyne a split second after the ball bounded past him. The flag gave the Utes 12 free yards on a drive that resulted in their first touchdown. They would rally from a 14-3 second-quarter deficit to win 36-23.
The second personal foul was a product of frustration. Arizona was down 41-7 to USC in the third quarter. Trojans lineman Chuma Edoga shoved Barton in the shoulder area at the end of a third-down running play. Barton responded by popping Edoga in the head.
“The second one was just frustration and immaturity on my part,” Barton said. “It was uncalled for. It won’t happen again.”
USC would have punted if not for the penalty. The Trojans ended up attempting a field goal that missed. But the aftermath is irrelevant in UA coach Rich Rodriguez’s mind.
He has zero tolerance for the act and let Barton know it on the sideline.
“You can’t have stupid penalties,” Rodriguez said this week. “If you continue to have them, you won’t play. It’s pretty simple.”
Arizona needs Barton on the field. The graduate transfer from Cal has taken over at middle linebacker with Cody Ippolito (knee) out for the season. Barton ranks second on the team in tackles (42) and stops for losses (4.5).
He knows he has to hold himself to a higher standard.
“That’s something I should be past,” Barton said. “My teammates know it was dumb. I told them it was dumb. I apologized. We’re moving on.”
RB choices include Morin
Another week, another new role for Arizona’s “all-purpose guy.”
That’s how Rodriguez described senior Matt Morin, who has been a tight end, holder and quarterback for the Wildcats this season – and now is getting a look at running back.
Rodriguez said Morin and fellow senior Samajie Grant, usually a receiver, practiced “almost exclusively” at tailback this week. Arizona is hurting for healthy bodies there with Nick Wilson (knee) out indefinitely, J.J. Taylor (ankle) probably out for the season and Tyrell Johnson less than 100 percent.
That leaves junior Zach Green and walk-ons as the only available full-time backs. Enter Morin, who shifted from tight end to quarterback last week and filled in for struggling freshman Khalil Tate against USC.
“I don’t know what Coach Rod’s plans are for me yet,” Morin said earlier this week. “I just stay prepared and learn everything.”
Morin, who played quarterback in high school, is listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 235 pounds. He gained only 4 net yards on five rushes vs. the Trojans, largely because of a fumbled snap that resulted in a 10-yard loss.
Rodriguez called Morin “a big guy that runs well.” He’s also willing to help out however he can.
Grant had been practicing some at running back but hasn’t played many snaps there during games because he’s been nicked up, Rodriguez said.
With quarterbacks Brandon Dawkins and Anu Solomon both practicing, Rodriguez was asked about the possibility of moving Tate to tailback.
Rodriguez didn’t rule out Tate playing there in the future but said the plan for now is to keep him at quarterback.
“Our quarterback situation, you never know how quickly it could turn, right?” Rodriguez said. “I know first-hand.”
Extra points
- Arizona is off this weekend before facing Stanford on Oct. 29. Despite their 2-2 Pac-12 record, Rodriguez sees the same old Cardinal on film. “Big, physical, play hard, well-coached,” Rodriguez said. “They’re the same dudes.”
- The players are off Friday and Saturday before resuming their “regular schedule” Sunday, Rodriguez said. Coaches were headed out on recruiting trips immediately after practice. Rodriguez also is hitting the road to recruit. The UA couldn’t do that last year with no midseason bye.
- Fox reported during the USC game that Luca Bruno had a foot injury, and the Wildcats’ defensive lineman has been limited since. Foot issues kept him out at the end of last season and all of spring.
- Rodriguez on the Arizona offensive line’s performance to date: “It’s been OK. It hasn’t been dominating.”
- The players participated in a half-hour yoga session at the end of practice.
