Notes and takeaways from the Arizona Wildcats’ media availability after practice Wednesday morning as the team continues to prepare for UCLA:
* UA coach Rich Rodriguez on the matchup between Arizona’s secondary and UCLA’s top-ranked, Josh-Rosen-led pass game: "This is going to be their biggest challenge so far this year."
* The Arizona defense needs to play better than it did in Boulder. Defensive line coach Vince Amey said pad level has been a big point of emphasis for the defensive front. Rosen presents a different sort of challenge, but Rodriguez said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins ran the ball more than they have.
* Asked if he expects to start this week, Arizona QB Khalil Tate replied: “Hopefully.” Rodriguez hasn’t definitively stated that Tate will start vs. the Bruins, but any other outcome would be shocking.
* Rodriguez on Tate in practice this week: "Khalil’s got a little bounce in his step, and rightfully so."
* Rodriguez on Tate now compared to when he made his first start against USC last year: "He’s a whole lot better now. But he’s going to be a whole lot better going forward too."
* Rodriguez again said he never had seen Tate run as fast as he did vs. Colorado. Tate said his weight got up to 222 last year. It’s currently 208.
* Pro Football Focus named Tate the quarterback on its National Team of the Week.
PFF Week 6 - National Team of the Week - Offense pic.twitter.com/BFSk1QL1Po
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) October 11, 2017
* Rosen to Los Angeles reporters on his big numbers leading to Heisman Trophy hype: "I would give up all the hype to be 5-0." The Bruins are 3-2.
* Rodriguez said it's advantageous to have DeAndre’ Miller back to platoon with Kylan Wilborn at “Stud.” Lots of energy is expended when pass rushing. Having both available gives Arizona fresh bodies.
* Miller said watching Tate against Colorado "was like a video game. Like I was playing ‘NCAA’ on rookie (mode)."
* Defensive tackle Parker Zellers (ankle) said he was only about 75 percent at Colorado. He rotated in anyway and had four tackles. "I’ll be all right,” he said. “I’m fine."
* Rodriguez on UCLA freshman DE Jaelan Phillips: “He’s a freak. Big, physical, great pass rusher. Everybody in the country wanted him." Phillips (6-5, 255) has a team-high 4.5 tackles for losses in three games.
* UA receiver Darick Holmes Jr. is the older brother of UCLA freshman cornerback Darnay Holmes. "We tried to recruit Darnay,” Rodriguez said, “We know all about him." Holmes has started all five games for the Bruins and has 16 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.
* Rodriguez said he doesn't specifically coach for a shootout, but he knows UCLA is going to move the ball. "I don’t want to say we have to play a perfect game on offense,” Rodriguez said, “but we better make sure every possession is looked at with great value."
