TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez didn't have much time to soak in his team's win Friday night, in as much as he had to get his mind wrapped around the Wildcats' next opponent.
Rodriguez, half-joking, in his postgame press conference said he needed to speak quickly because he wanted to get to working on the next game.
In what will be Arizona's quickest turnaround of the season -- six days between games -- the Wildcats are in the middle of preparing for Texas-San Antonio, a favorite to win Conference USA.
Thursday's game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 at 5 p.m.
There's nothing like reviewing an opponent to dull the excitement of a huge victory. San Antonio did everything but take over Houston's TDECU Stadium.
"They handled them pretty well," Rodriguez said of UTSA's 27-7 win over Houston.
The Roadrunners created a school-record six turnovers, possessed the ball 15 minutes longer and held Houston to just 208 total yards including minus-26 on the ground.
"I told our team right after the game that we're going to have a tougher opponent on the road," Rodriguez said on Monday in preparation for Arizona's first road game of the season. "We have a lot of respect for them in how hard they play."
Arizona found that out first hand last year in a 38-13 win in Tucson.
The Roadrunners return 38 seniors and nine starters on offense and as many on defense. The Larry Coker-coached team isn't afraid of the big timers either, having faced Houston last week (a win), Arizona this weekend and Oklahoma State (next week).
Rodriguez said UTSA "will be as good as anyone we play" when it comes to pass rushing. That'll be key in keeping redshirt freshman Anu Solomon upright on Thursday.
"They are as good as anybody we've seen on film," Rodriguez said. "They are well coached and their passes rushers are active with their hands."
Rodriguez doesn't expect anything less than a tough fight from a coach he now calls a friend in Coker, who coach at Miami when Rodriguez was at West Virginia as part of the Big East. One of their more memorable meetings came on Oct. 2, 2003 when No. 2 Miami came from behind to win 22-20 on a last-second field goal. Kellen Winslow caught a pass on 4th and 13 to keep a drive alive.
Rodriguez remembered it all too well on Monday.
"I shouldn't remember it because it was a loss," Rodriguez said. "I do remember how talented they were. It was a great ball game to watch. I thought he did a great job there. He's not just a great football coach but he's a great person."
One of the most anticipated debuts was for multi-purpose back DaVonte' Neal, who transferred from Notre Dame last year. He had a so-so opening night.
Neal caught two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. He also returned two punts for 10 yards. It's the punts that have everyone excited. Friday he had no room to run. Rodriguez said Neal "tweaked" his ankle near the end of the game, so he was replaced by Samajie Grant as a punt returner later.
"I wish we would have blocked better," Rodriguez said. "Had we blocked better I think he could have hit a couple of creases. Bur he played well and competed. He made a few nice plays."
Arizona's student section was in full force on Friday, making it for a festive atmosphere at Arizona Stadium. More than 50,000 fans were in the stands and more than 4,000 students in their respective section. Rodriguez applauded the fans' efforts, saying it was great. But, he feels it could get better.
"I still think we could create the best student environment in the Pac-12," he said. "Looks like it was fun. If I was a student I'd want to be in the Zona Zoo (what the student section is called) and have the time of my life for 3-1/2 hours. The other fans were good, too."
He also realizes he has to put a product on the field that is worthy of watching.
"I want to make it an event where they can't wait to come," he said. "If anything we need to make it where we are fun to watch."
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