Quick hitters from the first of Arizonaβs weekly Monday news conferences at the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility:
* Quarterback naturally was a big topic of discussion after Rich Rodriguez listed Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins as co-starters on the Week 1 depth chart. Rodriguez said he considers both players to be starting-caliber. Rodriguez isnβt planning on announcing who will start, although the players β in particular the quarterbacks β are expected to find out sometime this week. Kickoff for the opener against BYU is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
*Β Rodriguez said sophomore Shun Brown is capable of playing three receiver positions, and his consistency is what gave him the nod as the No. 4 wideout behind Samajie Grant, Trey Griffey and Nate Phillips. Freshman Devaughn Cooper will be part of the receiver rotation, Rodriguez said.
*Β Regarding transfer Zach Benjaminβs appeal for immediate eligibility, Rodriguez said: βWeβre not too optimistic right now.β After not playing last season at South Florida, Benjamin transferred to the UA and is paying his own way. Yet the receiver remains subject to the NCAAβs transfer rules, which require most student-athletes to sit out one season.
*Β Rodriguez believes that Arizona will have a βtrue competition at probably every positionβ within the next 1-2 years thanks to improved recruiting bringing more talent to Tucson.
*Β Rodriguez said receiver Shawn Poindexter has progressed faster than expected after transferring from Glendale Community College. Poindexter has relatively little football experience.
*Β Rodriguez praised the toughness, competitiveness and acumen of new starting center Nathan Eldridge. The coaches did not coddle the redshirt freshman by throwing generic looks at him in practice.
*Β Rodrigeuz said cornerback Sammy Morrison, who missed most of fall camp because of an undisclosed injury, recently returned and could be back in the mix within a few weeks.
*Β Rodriguez said Josh Pollack is βprobably the starterβ at placekicker and punter but that how he and the other specialists perform in games will determine who secures those roles long term.
*Β Rodriguez said he considers senior Aiulua Fanene a βco-starterβ at nose tackle. Rodriguez said the coaches need to force themselves to use more players along the defensive front, where size and depth are lacking.
*Β Offensive tackle Gerhard DeBeer said the defensive line will be better than people think. He said the lines about played to a draw in spring and fall camps.
*Β New defensive coordinator Marcel Yates will be in the coachesβ booth during games, Rodriguez said.
*Β The coaches donβt have a specific number of touches in mind for freshman tailback/return specialist J.J. Taylor, but βheβs an explosive player and he will play,β Rodriguez said.
*Β Athletic Director Greg Byrne said Arizona has closed the gap on BYU in terms of ticket sales for the opening game in Glendale after having a good week last week.
*Β Byrne on the state of the football program: βIβm optimistic about where we are this year and very optimistic about where weβre going as a program over the long haul.β
*Β Byrne said the UA is looking into the possibility of selling alcohol at Arizona Stadium sometime in the future. The stadium would need upgraded concession stands and restrooms first, Byrne said.
