ESPN.com: Pac-12 Media Day storylines for Arizona
Jul 29, 2015, 4:12 PM
Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez celebrates with running back Nick Wilson (28) after Wilson scored a touchdown during the third quarter of the NCAA college football game against Oregon at Autzen Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, in Eugene, Ore. Arizona won the game 31-24. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
(AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
After unexpectedly winning their first Pac-12 South title in 2014, it goes without question that some added attention will come to the Arizona Wildcats at Pac-12 Media Day.
ESPN.com Pac-12 blogger David Lombardi broke down some of the biggest storylines for each Pac-12 South school, going in detail on the defending Pac-12 South champions.
The Wildcats are bringing wide receiver David Richards and safety Will Parks to media days, and we already know that the latter is a great player to talk with regarding Arizona’s arduous strength and conditioning efforts. He’s been hammering away at an intense cross-training regimen that involves boxing and sprints in the 100-degree desert heat, and that’s fitting because every bit of mental and physical stamina may come in handy for an Arizona team that doesn’t get a bye week in 2015. Due to a scheduling quirk, the only open date in the Wildcats’ slate comes on Nov. 28 — after their regular season finale. Rich Rodriguez obviously isn’t thrilled about this, so expect at least a few conversations about Arizona’s unique challenge.
Arizona has won 26 games in three seasons under head coach Rich Rodriguez, including earning a Fiesta Bowl berth last season.
Rodriguez’s team plays notable games at home against UCLA (Sept. 26) and Utah (Nov. 14) while traveling to play USC (Nov. 7) and ASU (Nov. 21).
The Wildcats return stars such as redshirt sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon and redshirt junior linebacker Scooby Wright, but lose depth along their offensive line and secondary.
Pac-12 Media Days begin in Burbank, Calif. on July 30.
