Notes and takeaways from the Arizona Wildcats post-practice media availability Wednesday morning as Oregon week continues:
* Is there any animosity between Arizona and Oregon because of the handful of UA commits who ended up in Eugene? No, not really, Rich Rodriguez said. Youre not happy that it happened. Youre particularly not happy because you see them and theyre playing for them. I guess we were recruiting the right guys."
*I asked Rodriguez about his relationship with Oregon coach Willie Taggart. "I dont know him that well, Rodriguez said. Ive met him a few times. Weve met at the Pac-12 meetings. I think hes done an outstanding job."
*泭紮喝硃娶喧梗娶莉硃釵域 Khalil Tate was named a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Tate talked today about being in the Heisman Trophy race, his competitive nature and how much he hates to lose. Ill have more on Tate later today.
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*Rodriguez said Tate did a much better job of playing under control vs. Oregon State. "Sometimes you try to press a little bit, Rodriguez said. Youve gotta let the game come to you, take what they give you."
*Arizona linebacker Colin Schooler on playing against older brother Brenden, a receiver for Oregon: "Im going up to Oregon to play them. Im not playing my brother. Im playing (against) Oregon football." Ill have more on the Schooler brothers later this week.
*Colin Schooler on Tate making so many big plays: "Its kind of a good-bad thing for us. The defense will get a stop, and hell score right away. So then weve gotta go back out there. I cant complain."
*Linebackers coach Scott Boone said freshman Anthony Pandy has "a really high upside." Pandy is the backup Will and plays stand-up defensive end in the dime. Hes still learning the intricacies of inside backer.
*泭啦娶硃紳莽款梗娶 Dereck Boles has been Arizona's best defensive tackle. Rodriguez says Boles will be even better with an offseason in the weight program. "I expect a huge year from him next year," Rodriguez said.
*Rodriguez is not worried about the Wildcats feeling satisfied with their 7-3 record: "We have still so much to prove, he said. Thats been part of our guys motivation since August camp. Every week is a chance to prove ourselves. That will never stop."
*Rodriguez on coordinatorJim Leavitt and the Oregon defense: "Hes done a great job everywhere hes been. Theyre sound fundamentally. Theyre athletic. Theyre long. And theyre playing really hard."
*Rodriguez said Arizona isn't running a crazy amount of plays, similar to the West Virginia days with Pat White. The Wildcats are just executing those plays at a very high level.
*The Arizona offense has been working with crowd noise piped into the practice field all week long. Rodriguez anticipates Autzen Stadium will be the loudest venue the Wildcats have played in this season. Arizona uses a lot of non-verbal communication anyway, but Rodriguez said "weve gotta have some answers" if players can't hear Tates checks.
*Three pro scouts attended practice, including one from the Baltimore Ravens.
