UA football: Quarterback Brandon Dawkins looked more confident in Friday’s win.

Here are five takeaways from UA’s 63-16 victory over UTEP on Friday night:

1. Different Dawkins?

ESPN’s Molly McGrath reported it during the broadcast. Rich Rodriguez hinted at it after the game. Players flatout said it: Quarterback Brandon Dawkins brought a different demeanor to El Paso. With his job on the line, and a season possibly in the balance, Dawkins played with supreme focus and determination. From a technical/X’s-and-O’s standpoint, ESPN’s Dusty Dvoracek astutely pointed out the biggest differences in Dawkins’ game vs. UTEP: His footwork improved, and the coaching staff gave him timing-based throws early so he could get in a rhythm and build confidence. As a result, Dawkins threw the ball not only with accuracy but conviction. If there’s one quibble, Dawkins took at least two unnecessary shots vs. the Miners. Remember, Arizona was leading upcoming opponent Utah last year when Dawkins had to come out of the game. With backup Khalil Tate still banged up, the Wildcats need not only a determined Dawkins but a healthy Dawkins.

2. Better together

Rodriguez has deployed the look only a handful of times: J.J. Taylor and Nick Wilson together in the backfield. Arizona’s first touchdown serves as proof; it was about the easiest pitch and catch you’ll ever see. Taylor lined up to Dawkins’ left, Wilson to his right. Dawkins faked a handoff to Wilson, and nine Miners flowed in that direction. The only two who didn’t were covering the outside receivers. Taylor slipped out to the right, uncovered. Not that every play will work that well, but with those two in the game, the defense can’t commit to one or the other. Excluding Dawkins, they’re two of Arizona’s three best playmakers (Shun Brown being the other).

3. Schooler’s in session

Rodriguez has compared the current freshman linebackers to the class of 2013, which featured Scooby Wright, DeAndre’ Miller and Derrick Turituri. It’s unfair and premature to make this comparison, but Colin Schooler looked Scooby-esque at times during the UTEP game. Specifically, Schooler showed the instincts, awareness and aggression that made Wright an All-American on the game-altering forced fumble in the second quarter. As Kavika Johnson ran up the middle, Schooler fought off a block to get in on that tackle. Recognizing that several Wildcats were also on the scene, Schooler realized he could go for the strip.

4. This time it’s personnel

Every week I’ll provide some notes on individual players, so here goes … Taylor and Wilson each had blitz pickups, all the more reason to use them in concert. On Dawkins’ 35-yard run in the first quarter, Taylor not only blocked a blitzing corner but raced downfield to help Dawkins gain a few extra yards. … Freshman tight end Bryce Wolma continues to impress. His 1-yard touchdown was all effort; the Miners had the play covered perfectly. … The offensive line was inconsistent, especially in the first half, before eventually imposing its will on the outclassed UTEP front. Senior right guard Jacob Alsadek was the best of the bunch.

5. Proper perspective

So, does any of this mean Arizona is ready to beat Utah and contend for a bowl berth? Would it be fair to say we still don’t know? The Miners might be the worst team in FBS. The Wildcats have beaten up on a pair of inferior foes and went toe to toe with a comparable opponent in Houston. Utah will represent a step up, at least in the sense that the Utes’ new quarterback, Tyler Huntley, is a Dawkins-esque dual threat. Arizona hasn’t faced anyone like that yet. UA also hasn’t faced a defensive front like Utah’s, which has allowed 49.3 rushing yards per game and 1.7 yards per carry.