Notes and takeaways from the Arizona Wildcats’ media availability after practice Wednesday morning:
* Senior DE-LB DeAndre’ Miller’s status remains unclear for Friday’s game at Utah. Miller has been a partial participant in practice. He missed all of training camp and the first three games while rehabbing from July foot surgery. The debate for Arizona and Miller is whether it makes sense to use him in a limited role vs. Utah or give him an extra two weeks to get ready for the rest of the season. Arizona is off next week.
* Senior receiver Cam Denson remained in a yellow jersey as he left the practice field but also sported a walking boot, a possible sign that the injury to his right foot suffered in spring is still bothering him. Although Denson has appeared in a game, he’d have a good case for a medical redshirt if he elected to pursue one.
* Defensive tackle Dereck Boles has nine tackles but none for losses. UA coach Rich Rodriguez said Boles is playing well and that stats don't always reveal that. Those nine tackles lead all UA interior linemen.
* Lane and eye discipline will be key for Arizona's youthful defense vs. mobile Utah QB Tyler Huntley, who leads the Utes in passing and rushing.
* Rodriguez said going against Brandon Dawkins regularly will help Arizona’s defense but that the same applies to Utah’s defense and Huntley. "That's probably a wash,” Rodriguez said.
* Rodriguez said Houston had a good defense but Utah is "probably a step above." He cited the Utes' experience, athleticism and speed, especially up front.
* Rodriguez on attacking Utah: "We’ve got to use every bit of our offense. We’ve got to use our whole playbook to try to score on these guys."
* Rodriguez’s three overall keys to the game: Minimizing mental mistakes, winning the turnover battle and tackling well, especially against the speedy, slippery Huntley.
* Arizona has been much better at taking the ball away since the Territorial Cup last year. The main reasons, per Rodriguez: Playing aggressively and confidently. “It usually feeds on itself,” he said. “When you get a little more confidence on defense, guys will be more apt to go after the ball.”
* Defenses are more complex than they look sometimes. Rodriguez said Arizona will face four different schemes over the first four weeks.
* Arizona commit David Watson, an offensive tackle from Amphitheater High, attended practice.
