Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ post-practice media availability Tuesday morning:
* There is still no resolution at quarterback for Arizona. The evaluation process is continuing during practice this week, UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. It’s unlikely he will publicly name a starter before kickoff for the Oregon State game Saturday. Brandon Dawkins and Anu Solomon continue to be listed as co-starters on the depth chart, although Dawkins has started 8 of 10 games.
* Rodriguez doesn’t believe the uncertain quarterback situation has been the cause of Arizona’s offensive struggles. “What’s hurt the team is when we don’t execute, and that’s not always on the quarterback,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes you look at the (one) guy. Sometimes there are a lot of factors involved. What’s hurt us is that we haven’t executed well, and it starts with us coaching.”
* Asked about defensive-line recruiting, Rodriguez said he and his staff have made "some mistakes. ... That goes on us as coaches. We have nobody to blame but ourselves."
* Rodriguez said the goal moving forward is to "overstock" on defense, especially in the front (linemen and linebackers), and that Arizona would like to bring in “guys that can help us right away.”
* There has been a lot of talk the past two days about Arizona's weekly field-position deficit. Many factors are involved in that. I’ll delve into it further later today.
* A sneak preview, via Rodriguez: “The lack of three-and-outs, the lack of turnovers, the lack of finishing drives, poor field position – all that leads to negative outcomes offensively."
* Offensive tackle Gerhard de Beer still has a brace on his left leg. He missed the Colorado game because of a knee injury, and it seems unlikely he’ll make it back for Oregon State.
* Special-teams coach Charlie Ragle said Arizona will have a new punter this week, either Jake Glatting or Matt Aragon. Josh Pollack will continue to be the placekicker and is expected to handle kickoffs. A source close to the team said previous kickoff specialist Edgar Gastelum quit the squad Sunday.
* Rodriguez on talented but enigmatic guard Freddie Tagaloa: “He’s been banged up quite a bit. He’s not been really healthy for most of the year. That’s been part of it. That hurts. He’s obviously a big guy, and he works really hard. … He loves football. But he needs to be healthy. When he wasn’t healthy, he wasn’t himself.”
* Rodriguez attributed some of the secondary’s coverage issues to the pass rush not getting home, especially when Arizona blitzes. The two work hand in hand.
