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Preseason Camp Day 4: Enthusiasm

Preseason Camp Day 4: Enthusiasm

Practice No. 4
Location: Arizona Stadium
Date: Saturday, Aug. 8
Start Time: 
6:00 p.m.
Weather: 
85 degrees, cloudy

Play of the Day:
During 11-on-11 action, safety Anthony Lopez battled freshman receiver Shun Brown, who was streaking up the left sideline. Lopez kept himself in good postion and broke up Jerrard Randall’s pass. The play helped the detfense edge the offense for the day in the coaches’ scoring system used during practices.

Stat of the Day:|
As a junior, Anthony Lopez cashed in one of the best defensive plays of the year for the Wildcats last season. On the opening drive of the Territorial Cup, linebacker Scooby Wright stripped ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly. Lopez scooped up the fumble and raced 25-yards for the opening score as the crowd of 56,083 erupted at Arizona Stadium.

Coach Rod Said It:

On the energy of practice:
“Towards the end of practice the defense showed a lot of enthusiasm. Normally on day four, there is less energy but today there was more. I don’t know if it was because we had great weather or a shorter practice. We shortened practice about 15 minutes. They came to work, I am very pleased with their performance today.”

On the intense start of camp:
“I think the intensity was good for the fourth practice we’ve had. I think with tomorrow having no practice and Monday being the first day of full-pads, the intensity will grow even more. I expect Monday to be even better.”

On the culture created from guys that love football:
“I think more than anything else it’s the atmosphere that the seniors before have created. Every year it’s gotten a little bit better and I think it is because they understand how we practice and how we go about business. We don’t like to waste our time, everything is short, quick and intense. I find myself having to explain that a lot less now than I did in years before.”

On Cayleb (Jones’) potential:
“Cayleb has enormous potential. He had a good year last year and I think he will be even better this year. He is a very talented guy, he works hard and he is one that loves football. He’s had a great camp; it’s only day four but I am really excited for him. I think he can do a lot of special things this year.”

On Freddie (Tagaloa’s) progress:
“Freddie still has a lot to learn technique wise. It’s important to him so he will work and get better at it. His fundamentals are still something he has to work on as well. He has a pretty good knowledge of our system, but he hasn’t played in a game. He has adapted pretty quickly and our pace is not an issue for him at all. He just has to get better every day fundamentally because he’s big and strong but. He is going to be playing against good quality defensive ends.” 

In their Own Words:

Wide Receiver Cayleb Jones

His thoughts coming into this season...
"I think I am really prepared. I feel that I had a really good offseason this summer and I have been in the playbook a lot more. I'm prepared and the rest of our guys are prepared as well."

On his weight and strength...
"I was at 208 (lbs) last year and I weighed in today at 224. This is my first full offseason in college because I had trouble with my hand last summer and as a freshman at Texas I was still getting acclimated. I really got to work with the strength coaches and was able to push myself. I saw where being strong would help me during the season."

Wide Receiver Samajie Grant

On being picked to finish fourth in the Pac-12 South...
"To be honest I don't really pay attention to that stuff a lot. It does put a chip on my shoulder because I don't like to be picked fourth. It basically tells us that we aren't a good team so it does put a big chip on my shoulder. It makes it better for us."

On the defensive backs...
"I have seen a lot of excitement and speed on the defensive side. Those guys are flying around right now. They look really good and they have a lot of athleticism."

Up Next: 
Arizona is off on Sunday and is scheduled to hold its fifth preseason camp practice on Monday at 6 p.m. Preseason camp practices are generally closed to the media and public unless otherwise announced.

Football Tickets: 
Arizona Football season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are on sale now! Tickets can be purchased at ArizonaWildcats.com/footballtickets or by contacting the McKale Center Ticket Office (520-621-CATS). 

Season tickets start at the affordable price of only $99! Meanwhile, the Red Plan includes the home opener against UTSA (Sept. 3), the Pac-12 home opener versus UCLA (Sept. 26) and the Family Weekend game against Oregon St. (Oct. 10). The Blue Plan consists of a non-conference match-up with NAU (Sept. 19), the Homecoming game against Washington St. (Oct. 24) and a high-end Pac-12 contest with Utah (Nov. 14).

Single-game tickets for the Sept. 3 home opener vs. UTSA start as low as $12 for adults and $7 for kids 3-12.

Social Media:
Stay current with the Wildcats by following the team on social media! Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaFootball and on Twitter @ArizonaFBall.

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