Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ post-practice media availability Wednesday morning:
* UA coach Rich Rodriguez said Arizona has “a couple” of plans at quarterback for Saturday's game vs. USC. One undoubtedly includes freshman Khalil Tate starting. Arizona has to have multiple plans because of the uncertain status of Brandon Dawkins (concussion/ribs) and Anu Solomon (knee).
* While he has made significant progress, Tate is a long way from grasping the entire playbook. The offense would be catered to his level. Rodriguez said having a pared-down game plan and fewer countermeasures for Tate is "not all bad." It’s more about execution than trickery, Rodriguez said.
* The bigger issue for Arizona is whether tailback Nick Wilson (ankle) can play this week. Tate has shown he’s capable of running the offense and making plays. But it’s a lot easier if he has an all-around running threat along for the ride.
* Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates said Michael Barton and Jake Matthews will share “Mike” linebacker duties with Cody Ippolito (knee) out for the season. Paul Magloire Jr. and Brandon Rutt will be the “Will” linebackers.
* Ippolito was playing better of late coming off his 2015 knee injury. Barton is at least on par with him and might be better in certain areas. Where the loss of Ippolito hurts the Wildcats most is depth.
* Rodriguez said he's pleased with the overall progress of the defense, which never was going to be an overnight fix. The effort has been there. He wants more takeaways and three-and-outs. I’ll have more on the D in Part 2 of our midseason report later today.
* Rodriguez said Arizona must be wary of USC QB Sam Darnold's ability to extend plays. His mobility was a big factor vs. Colorado last week.
* Rodriguez noted that Arizona has yet to win close games this year (BYU, Washington). "There’s not a lot of margin for error right now," he said. “I don’t know if there ever will be. The way things are going, we’ll be able to sustain some of the bumps we’re getting right now better in the next few years.”
* Rodriguez conceded that he doesn't handle losing well: "It just grates at you. You don’t eat well, you don’t sleep well."
* Rodriguez on whether breaks eventually even out in football: "I do think things even out. Unless you’re so good, like Alabama, you can overcome everything. … It’s not fun. Nobody wants to go through this. But we’ve got a lot of football left. We can win every game we’ve got left."
