TODAY’S GAME

our guys that have never been on a Division I road trip, which there’s quite a few guys on this team that will be in that category, it’s important that they handle themselves the right way and understand how we operate.”

» Quarterback B.J. Denker. UA found out it had a passing game after all in its loss at USC.

Denker threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns, both career highs, against the Trojans. Even with that performance, the Wildcats still rank last in the Pac-12 in passing, but UA has shown it can pass with success.

“We obviously made a lot of progress,” Denker said. “I was happy with the performance from the offensive unit, definitely in the second half. Going through film was a little frustrating watching the lack of execution in the first half; if it would have been like the second half I would have been a lot happier after the game.”

» Utah’s strength. Utah went toe to toe with the strong Stanford Cardinal, and that strength was apparent to UA coach Rich Rodriguez. When: 7 p.m. Where: Arizona Stadium, Tucson.

“I think they’ve always been physical and they pride themselves on that,” Rodriguez said. “They’ve got some grown men, so that helps, too. Not just from a strength standpoint but from a maturity standpoint, too.”

» Dennis Erickson’s influence. Utah’s marked improvement on offense coincides with the arrival of Erickson. A longtime Pac-12 coach, Erickson is co-offensive coordinator.

Erickson’s game plan against Stanford was masterful.

“I thought offensively they executed about as well as they had all year,” Rodriguez said, “and everyone knows how stout Stanford is defensively. The quarterback played well. They ran very well and were really able to do whatever they wanted to offensively.” TV/radio: Pac-12 Arizona/KGMEAM (910).