On Monday Rick Neuheisel spoke to reporters for the first time after the Bruins’ 59-0 loss at BYU.
– Neuheisel said the loss was a bitter pill to swallow.
– He quoted legendary basketball coach John Wooden when asked how his team could respond from such a brutal defeat, "You have to have the self control to forget about it."
– Neuheisel said the two most important things for this week are developing the running game (UCLA had just 9 yards rushing against BYU) and "going back to being a fundamentally sound football team."
– Neuheisel is optimistic that runningback Khalil Bell will play Saturday versus Arizona. He said that back-up Raymond Carter is day-to-day, and that an MRI on his right knee came back negative. Despite those injuries, the coaches still want to be careful with their true freshmen runningbacks. They don’t want to waste a year of eligibility if they do not have to.
– When asked what he would say to recruits about the BYU loss, Neuheisel responded, "- We’re resilient, we will respond. You should be here because it’s a great school and it’s got a great future. "
– Neuheisel said he expects Arizona to play its best game of the season because it is coming off a disappointing loss at New Mexico. He also compared Willie Tuitiama, the Wildcats’ quarterback, to BYU’s Max Hall, "this another experienced quarterback who had a great day against us a year ago."
– Starting weakside linebacker Korey Bosworth is doubtful for the Arizona game, and his injury could shake up the Bruins’ defense. Middle linebacker Reggie Carter will move to the weakside position to replace Bosworth, and Steve Sloan will step in as starting middle linebacker. Josh Edwards may also be able to provide "valuable minutes," Neuheisel said.