Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ post-practice media availability Tuesday morning:
* UA coach Rich Rodriguez expects quarterbacks Brandon Dawkins and Anu Solomon to improve against Washington State after both struggled against Stanford. More practice time should lead to better efficiency and execution. Both have missed time this season because of injuries.
* Rodriguez said accuracy and timing are hurt the most when quarterbacks miss practice time. Both were definitely lacking against Stanford, when Dawkins and Solomon combined to go 5 of 18.
* Rodriguez said quarterbacks should be completing at least 60 percent of their passes in most modern-day offenses. Dawkins is currently at 55.6 percent, Solomon at 60.6.
* Rodriguez credited WSU quarterback Luke Falk's efficiency – he leads the nation with a 72.6 percent completion rate - to his being patient and willing to take 4- and 5-yard gains.
* Rodriguez has preached simplicity to his staff and players this week: “Our job as coaches … we’ve got to make the simple stay simple. We can’t make the simple stuff be hard."
* After the Stanford game, Rodriguez expressed concern about everyone still caring as much as they should amid a difficult season. That wasn't an issue at practice. “It was really good,” Rodriguez said. “Good energy.”
* Rodriguez and the staff were impressed with how receiver-turned-tailback Samajie Grant got better at the little things as the Stanford game went on: pressing blocks, pass protection, etc. Grant made his first career start at tailback in that game.
* Rodriguez on redshirt-freshman center Nathan Eldridge: "He’s going to have a great career. It’s important to him, and he’s a tough guy. He’ll battle with anybody." I’ll have more on Eldridge later today.
* Rodriguez said defensive lineman Finton Connolly has been a pleasant surprise. Connolly didn't dress to start the season. Now he’s part of the defensive-line rotation.
* Rodriguez praised middle linebacker Jake Matthews for his passion, smarts and competitiveness. He could have an expanded role this week with Michael Barton (knee) possibly out and Cody Ippolito (knee) definitely out.
* Another positive development for Arizona: The health and development of redshirt-sophomore tight end Trevor Wood. Wood, who missed last season because of a shoulder injury, threw the key block on Dawkins’ 25-yard run in the first quarter vs. Stanford.
