Notes and takeaways from the Arizona Wildcats’ media availability after practice Tuesday morning as they continue preparations for Saturday’s opener against Northern Arizona:
* Freshman tailback Nathan Tilford did not appear on the initial depth chart, but don’t read too much into that. "You all could take that depth chart and just throw it away,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. “Tilford’s gonna play." Rodriguez praised Tilford’s passion and football IQ and said Arizona has five viable tailbacks, including Branden Leon.
* Quarterback Brandon Dawkins on his “co-starter” status on the Week 1 depth chart: "I haven’t seen it. It doesn’t really change my approach. It doesn’t change my demeanor. It changes nothing about my work ethic. It’s just a piece of paper with some names on it. No matter where they have me, I always have to be prepared to go in there and execute the offense to its full potential.”
* Rodriguez met briefly with Arizona’s freshman class Tuesday. His message? "This is a great group,” he said. “If they hang together the next four years, it could be pretty special."
* Arizona's first three games will be telling, especially with so many young players in key roles, Rodriguez said. The coaches will find out what they really have over the next three weeks.
* There’s no way to know how Arizona’s freshmen will react in games. Prep work is the key, Rodriguez said. "The best way to have confidence,” he said, “is to be really prepared."
* Rodriguez said Arizona Stadium hosting three AIA football championship games is "great news." The 4A, 5A and 6A games will take place in Tucson on Dec. 2. “I just like showing off our place – not just our stadium but our campus and our city,” Rodriguez said. “Any event that we can we have in our stadium is a chance to showcase all those things.”
* Receivers coach Theron Aych lived in Houston when Tropical Storm Allison flooded the city in 2001. He saw freeways that looked like rivers, much like what’s happening now because of Tropical Storm Harvey. "It's like being in a movie,” Aych said. “It's very surreal." Aych said he's been in contact with Arizona recruits from the Houston area and that they and their families are safe as far as he knows.
* Rodriguez lauded No. 1 receiver Shun Brown's work ethic. Using him on kickoff and punt returns is just another way to get the ball in his hands. "We’ve got to get him some touches," Rodriguez said.
* Arizona needs to generate game-changing plays on special teams. Rodriguez believes having a deeper pool of talent will help in that regard.
