Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ weekly news conference at the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility on Monday afternoon:
* Junior tailback Nick Wilson is expected to miss the remainder of the season, UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. Wilson hurt his knee against USC on Oct. 15. He had been in and out of the lineup before that because of a sprained ankle. I'll have more on Wilson later today.
* Freshman tailback J.J. Taylor also will miss the rest of the year, Rodriguez confirmed. Taylor suffered a broken ankle against Washington on Sept. 24.
* Redshirt-freshman receiver Cedric Peterson is out for the year because of a broken foot. That led Cam Denson to start in his place against Washington State. Peterson had entered the starting lineup after Samajie Grant moved to running back.
* Rodriguez said linebacker DeAndre’ Miller got hurt after three plays against Washington State. He did not return. Arizona already was without Cody Ippolito and Michael Barton at linebacker.
* Rodriguez said QB Anu Solomon made some plays but also had some head-scratching moments, including a pair of ill-advised laterals. I’ll have more on that later.
* Rodriguez said he’ll continue to play both Solomon and Brandon Dawkins. Dawkins exited the game late in the second quarter. He seemed to be pointing toward his right hip or side as the area experiencing discomfort.
* Rodriguez said he hopes the team – and the young players in particular – can learn from the 69-7 loss to Washington State, “as painful as it was” to experience it and review it. The biggest lesson for the young players is “to battle and come back,” Rodriguez said.
* Rodriguez described the team’s current losing streak as a “miserable” experience but hopes it brings out the competitive side in everyone and serves as motivation to work harder in all areas.
* Rodriguez said most of the breakdowns by the offensive line are a result of missed assignments, in part caused by players having to shuffle in and out of the lineup.
* Rodriguez said he thought the play involving Trey Griffey that got overturned should have been ruled a catch. “I thought he had control of the ball, he took a couple steps with it and the ground caused it to come out,” Rodriguez said.
* Rodriguez said the punters will be evaluated during the week. Matt Aragon replaced Josh Pollack in the second half after Pollack struggled.
