TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona safety Tra'Mayne Bondurant spent much of fall camp in coach Rich Rodriguez's doghouse after the senior came in out of shape and unprepared for the season. And for a day it appeared as though he was off the team
But Bondurant, one of the Wildcats' more defensively opportunistic players, could start to see more playing time this week, Rodriguez said Monday, specifically to combat Cal quarterback Jared Goff.
Arizona faces the Golden Bears Saturday night in Tucson.
Bondurant has seven interceptions in his career and more than 190 total tackles. However, he isn't listed on Arizona's two-deep entering the week.
"He's worked hard in practice to get back into the fold," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said Bondurant has played more on special teams and will play more "particularly when we play spread teams and teams that move you out a little bit."
Rodriguez said facing Cal and former Arizona assistant coach Sonny Dykes will be "a bigger test," in that it'll be the best passing team his Arizona will have faced.
Safety William Parks said it is good to see Bondurant return, saying his "playmaking making ability" will be welcome whether it be a fumble recovery or interception.
"That's what I'm looking forward to," Parks said.
Arizona has intercepted two passes and has not recovered a fumble, although opponents have just had one and it recovered that one. Rodriguez said that needs to change.
"Sometimes it's just luck," he said.
But he did admit teams can help create turnovers by how teams attack the ball and disguise coverages.
With just two interceptions and one fumble caused, "Rodriguez said, "we can't win games going forward."
"If we don't have any negative numbers or turnovers on offense we will be in every game," Rodriguez said, "but we still have to create some on defense."
Rodriguez said his kick return team has been less than stellar. In fact, Arizona has returned eight balls for an average of 16 yards.
It's been awful," he said. "It's been as bad (as any) in kick return history (half jokingly)."
Rodriguez said it's not like his team hasn't worked hard on it but it just hasn't materialized. Freshman Tyrell Johnson has returned four for a 15.5-yard average, Samajie Grant three for a 17.3-yard average and Jared Baker one for 14 yards.
"We will continue to work hard," Rodriguez said. "We've got to get better. We have guys who can return. I do think we have a couple of guys who are good return guys."
Rodriguez said he expects Grant to return to action after he was slightly injured midway through Saturday's game vs. Nevada.
He also expects versatile player DaVonte' Neal to return at closer to full strength after missing most of the last two games.
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