ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Rodriguez, Scott have Wildcats off to fast start

Sep 19, 2012, 11:38 PM | Updated: Sep 20, 2012, 1:08 am

The Arizona Wildcats are currently ranked 22nd in the nation. They’re 3-0 on the season and entering Pac-12 play with both confidence and momentum.

It stems partially from the team’s upset win over Oklahoma State, which Rodriguez said was possible because of his team’s resiliency.

After all, they were down 14-0 early in the first quarter.

“We talked quite a bit about not worrying about if we lose a play, putting your head down and getting all disconsolate if things don’t go well,” Rodriguez told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Wednesday.

Rodriguez’s team did none of those things, and instead rallied to knock off the then-No. 18 Cowboys by a score of 59-38.

Talking about what he once told someone who commented about how the team didn’t panic, Rodriguez said:

“No, because one, we talked about it to be prepared for it, and two, they were probably used to it.”

Fair enough.

The Wildcats won just four games in 2011, making their start in 2012 even more impressive. Already just three wins shy of bowl eligibility, it seems like things are moving ahead rather quickly in Tucson.

“A lot of times a new coach comes in and it’s a transition, you get a lot guys that don’t really buy in and are not really sure and they’re hesitant,” Rodriguez said. “Really, for nine months these guys have bought in completely, and that’s really helped.”

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