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Yes, Gronk’s last game at Arizona was eight seasons ago. Kind of hard to fathom, right?
#FunFact: Last time we played BYU (Vegas Bowl, 08), @RobGronkowski balled out and then had some fun on stage! #GRONK pic.twitter.com/d2qW9wDH19
— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 30, 2016
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BYU’s NFL prospect at nose tackle, Travis Tuiloma, is out for at most a month with a foot injury.
Not having Tuiloma will be catastrophic for BYU's defense against Zona. Utah knows full well how much Rich Rod likes to run up the middle.
— Andrew Gorringe (@AGorringeScout) August 30, 2016
Or … after his first interception …
That moment Taysom Hill scores a TD Saturday vs Arizona on the opening drive. #BYU pic.twitter.com/Zs4wOmADBJ
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) August 30, 2016
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Pete Thamel writes: “Rich Rodriguez’s long flirtation with South Carolina this off-season hints that he’s anxious to leave, as that’s a bottom-tier SEC job.” He also writes that a Rodriguez return to West Virginia would be the “juiciest speculation” this season. Nothing like guessing, right?
Is Les still in trouble? How many games does UT need to win? Is Gus done at Auburn? My hot seat analysis: https://t.co/UEnUISsa50
— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) August 30, 2016
Red Alert …
We'll be in red helmets Saturday night when we take on BYU in Glendale! #BearDown #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/izesKo4Jyg
— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 30, 2016
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New BYU coach Kilani Sitake has shown a calm temperament heading into Saturday’s opener, no signs of duress, which is his personality.
Monson: For BYU's Kalani Sitake, the hugging is over and the squeeze is on https://t.co/YcnPvGtVyD
— BYU Cougars News (@sltribbyu) August 30, 2016
I’ve heard of spicy tacos, but this is ridiculous (and funny).
Haboob or the morning after RichRod took @Tarzan_Football and @MichaelEletise out for tacos? Answer may surprise you pic.twitter.com/d5uZP6IChT
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) August 30, 2016
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One thing to think about: Sitake said he will not change philosophies of previous coach Bronco Mendenhall because of the many holdovers from last year. That could play into Arizona’s hands with Marcel Yates coaching against BYU the last two seasons.
Arizona DC Marcel Yates faced BYU each of past two seasons while at Boise State. Taysom Hill missed both games.
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) August 24, 2016
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Taysom Hill has only played four games over the last two seasons because of injuries. For him to beat Tanner Mangum for the starting role must mean — to use a Rich Rod term — is off the charts.
Arizona HC Rich Rodriguez on BYU QB Taysom Hill: 'Wish he would've moved on and graduated"https://t.co/SKZGSFzf2d pic.twitter.com/Q7NBYt9WZ3
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) August 31, 2016
California transfer with some high praise for Yates.
Grad transfer Michael Barton on playing for new Arizona DC/LB coach Marcel Yates: "I’m just mad that I didn’t have him for four years."
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) August 21, 2016
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.