Rich Rodriguez turning UA around quicker than expected

Sep 17, 2012, 7:18 PM | Updated: 9:06 pm

Arizona Sports

It wasn’t supposed to happen, at least not this soon.

The Arizona Wildcats, 3-0, are ranked 22nd in the AP poll, and one win away from matching last season’s total of four.

The ‘Cats are coming off a 56-0 drubbing of FCS opponent South Carolina State, and while few would declare Rich Rodriguez’s rebuilding of the football program complete, things do seem to be ahead of schedule.

“We’re still a long, long ways away, and we’re going to have a lot of tough moments,” Rodriguez told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Monday. “I think everybody in our program understands that.”

One of those tough moments could come this weekend, as the Wildcats head to Eugene, Oregon to take on the third-ranked Ducks.

“They’ve been the best in our league for what, three years running now, and got probably the fastest — or one of the fastest teams in the country, so it’s going to be a tough environment,” Rodriguez said. “We know we’ve got to play a whole lot better than we have been.”

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Arizona's marching band perform on the field before the start of the an NCAA college football game against South Carolina State at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Arizona's starting quarterback Matt Scott (10) scrambles out of the pocket as he looks to pass on the run against South Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Arizona's Austin Hill, center, is dragged down by South Carolina State's Mason Harris (15) and Courtney Ingram (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/John Miller)

South Carolina State's starting quarterback, Richard Cue, center, looks for his running back in the backfield to hand the ball off against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/John Miller)

South Carolina State quarterback Richard Cue (17) throws against Arizona during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

South Carolina State head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, left, talks to his players on the sidelines during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Arizona at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

Arizona's mascot Wilbur (12) takes his keys and fires up the crowd on opening kickoff against South Carolina State in an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Arizona's Dan Buckner (4) tries to hold on the ball as South Carolina State's Mason Harris (15) interferes on the play during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

South Carolina State quarterback Richard Cue, left, hands off the ball to running back Jalen Simmons (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

South Carolina State's Jalen Simmons (4) is dragged down by Arizona 's Dan Pettinato (90) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

Arizona's Taimi Tutogi (31) tumbles into the end zone for a touchdown against South Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

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