Practice No. 1
Location: Kindall/Sancet
Date: Thursday, Aug. 4
Start Time: 5:45 p.m.
Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy

In his 30-plus years as a college football coach, Rich Rodriguez has learned something valuable about the first practice of each season.

It's not about execution; it's about effort.

So when the Arizona Wildcats went through their first practice of the 2016 season Thursday night at Kindall/Sancet Practice Field, Rodriguez gave himself a nickname while he watched his squad.

"I was the effort coach today," Rodriguez said with a smile after the team's two-plus hour workout. "My thing today wasn't about scheme; it was all effort."

And under perfect conditions – a cool breeze hung over the practice field with the sun hiding behind some clouds – Rodriguez liked what he saw from the 2016 edition of the Wildcats.

"The enthusiasm was good, the effort was good," Rodriguez said. "I think this team will have a little chip on their shoulder, and they should. I like their attitude after one practice. It's going to be really competitive the next two and a half weeks for us."

The Wildcats worked mainly with their various position groups over the first half of practice, before moving into a competitive 11-on-11 session for much of the back half of the session. Like he has in every practice he's ever led at Arizona, Rodriguez had his coaching staff keep score Thursday night with the defense earning the first victory of the season, outlasting the offensive side of the ball.

"The defense had high energy all spring, and it continued today," Rodriguez said after the practice. "They're being aggressive. I don't know who the guys are going to be on defense yet, but we have time to figure that out. It's a new year and a fresh start for everybody."

The Wildcats welcome back several experienced upperclassmen on defense, including seniors Sani Fuimaono, Cody Ippolito, Tellas Jones, DaVonte' Neal and Paul Magloire Jr. The group also has a handful of juniors who have seen time previously in DeAndre' Miller, Parker Zellers, Jarvis McCall and Luca Bruno.

Although the defense "won" the practice, the offense still had plenty to build on after the opening day. Both Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins saw time at quarterback and the team's experienced receiving corps, led by seniors Nate Phillips, Trey Griffey and Samajie Grant, showed they are more than ready to get the 2016 season going.

Play of the Day:
Solomon had a good battle against his defensive counterparts all practice and made a few plays that turned some heads. Perhaps the best came when he found Griffey streaking down the sideline in between two defenders for a sizable gain. Griffey hauled in the ball, which was laid in perfectly and took off for a would-be touchdown in a game.
 
Number to know:
33: Although he's now with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL, Scooby Wright's presence was still felt Thursday night. The linebacker, who wore No. 33 in his final two seasons at Arizona, was added to the program's "Legends Wall" at Kindall/Sancet, featuring some of the most notable players to suit up for the Wildcats.

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