What Brent Brennan said at his press conference to open Cincinnati week

Arizona's Brent Brennan held a press conference to discuss the team's upcoming game against unbeaten Cincinnati. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, joking that his staff wanted to focus on Cincinnati rather than Cincinnati itself. The Wildcats have had success in non-conference road games recently, with their only other such win coming nine seasons ago.

Brennan noted some mistakes early in the game, such as a sack and a dropped pass, which hindered their rhythm. However, he praised freshman receiver Caleb 'Jet' Smith, who has been breaking out as the season progresses. Smith's acceleration and technical skills were highlighted, particularly his ability to leave his feet to catch the ball.

Safety Cam Chapa's performance was also commended, with Brennan noting his newfound confidence and fast play. The coach addressed personal fouls, emphasizing the need to maintain discipline in Big 12 games to stay competitive. Brennan declined to comment on communication between himself and starting quarterback Michael Salgado-Medina on field goals, stating he supports the coach handling the plays.

The coach also discussed the progression of running back Ismail Mahdi, who has been preparing for his role over the past seven months. Brennan expressed excitement about seeing better versions of Mahdi during the season. Lastly, he addressed the impact of receiver Giovanni Richardson's injury on Tre Spivey, stating both positive and negative aspects of the situation. Spivey remains a threat as a big play and strong receiver, but the team has seen other players make plays as well.