Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ post-practice media availability Tuesday morning, their final availability of the 2016 season:
* The Wildcats held their first full practice during this abbreviated week in advance of Friday’s season-ending Territorial Cup matchup against Arizona State. Arizona's last on-campus practice will be Wednesday. The senior class will be honored upon its conclusion. The Wildcats will have a team holiday dinner Wednesday night at Bear Down Kitchen. They will spend Thursday night at La Paloma, adhering to their normal routine for a home game.
* One of Arizona’s biggest defensive keys, UA coach Rich Rodriguez said, will be gang-tackling. The Wildcats had a difficult time stopping Oregon State’s big running back, Ryan Nall, who rushed for 124 yards last week. ASU has two 200-plus-pound backs in Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard. “When they’ve got big guys running, you better get more than one person there to get him down,” Rodriguez said. “We failed to do that in the last game.”
* The biggest key on offense, Rodriguez said, will be blitz recognition, an area in which Arizona has struggled this season. “They will outnumber you,” he said. “They’ll bring it anytime and anywhere. Extremely aggressive. The most aggressive team we play. Whether it’s in the run game or in pass protection, you’ve got to be able to put a hat on a hat and recognize where they’re coming from. That’s easier said than done. We’re working all week on it.”
* Rodriguez on Arizona State receiver N'Keal Harry, whose 608 receiving yards are the most ever by a Sun Devils freshman: “He’s a great player. We tried to recruit him. Really good athlete. Knew he’d have success. Don’t know if anybody expected it this soon.”
* Several former Wildcats attended practice today. They included Jay Dobyns, Paul Vassallo, Brandon Sanders and Glenn Parker. It’s harder to schedule visits with morning practices, Rodriguez said.
* Rodriguez on Arizona’s senior class: "I don’t want them to think their career is defined by this season. I want them to think about their career as defined by the last four or five years.”
* Rodriguez on the UA’s recent recruiting issues: “We’ve made some mistake in recruiting and probably haven’t recruited like we really needed to. I saw it coming. It gets exacerbated when you get a few guys banged up. Saturday, we’re all on the road and will be every day until the dead period.”
* What would it mean to beat ASU? "Everything,” UA quarterback Brandon Dawkins said. “This is the biggest game we play every year. … Whenever we can get a win it’s a happy feeling. It’s a feeling we haven’t had for quite a while now. I know all the guys are (eager) to get back in the locker room and sing our fight song.”
