I thought it was pretty fun, a change of pace, and it was also nice to get practice out of the way and have the rest of the day to relax. – Arizona running back Nick Wilson

SALT LAKE CITY — As the Arizona Wildcats prepared to face Utah’s nationally recognized defense and hard-nosed running back Devontae Booker, they also tried preparing for something almost as intimidating.

In an effort to deal with the predicted cold, wet weather in Salt Lake City, head coach Rich Rodriguez held a 6 a.m. practice on Thursday — with sprinklers running the entire time.

“Truthfully, it didn’t really bother me,” said Arizona running back Nick Wilson, who rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats' 42-10 victory Saturday. “I’m a morning person anyway. I thought it was pretty fun, a change of pace, and it was also nice to get practice out of the way and have the rest of the day to relax.”

In fact, both he and Rodriguez hinted that they might have overprepared for Utah’s chilly weather.

“Truthfully, at times, it was colder there,” Wilson said of the early-morning practice. “But it was more wet here.”

Rodriguez said the team was very comfortable during the first half.

“The first half, it was like, ‘Boy, we probably overprepared,'” Rodriguez said. “The second half when it rained pretty hard, it was like we had the sprinklers on. I got as wet today as I did on sprinkler day.”

In fact, one of the best aspects of Saturday’s victory for Arizona is that the chances of the team heading to a bowl game in warm weather just got even better. Still, he was impressed with the way the players dealt with pretty heavy second-half rain.

“I’ve probably done other games like this,” he said. “But it was chilly and wet and our guys handled it.”

Rodriguez said the weather made it especially important to execute precisely.

“There were times when our execution wasn’t there, but it was hard,” he said. “You guys (media) look all nice and dry, but us on the field, it was raining really hard in the second half. Being able to throw the ball was going to be an issue for both teams. So we needed to be able to run it when they knew we were going to run it, and we were able to do that. So that part was pleasing.”

In fact, he called the Wildcats’ ability to run a critical factor in the win.

“The running game was the key, in my opinion, without question,” he said. “We were able to run it and seal the game with the runs in the fourth quarter.”

He said he was impressed with Utah’s defensive line, and admitted its ability to put pressure on the quarterback changed some of what they wanted to do.

But he was equally impressed with the way his defense played, especially earning three interceptions and a fumble recovery. As it turned out, Arizona's 520 offensive yards are the most Utah has given up this season.

“The way our defense played for four quarters, they just battle,” he said. “You know we’re not the most impressive getting off the bus, but getting on the bus after games, they’ve been a little more impressive.”

Senior safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant had a pick-six (returned 39 yards), which he dedicated to his namesake, born last night.

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“It’s been a big day for me,” Bondurant said, smiling. “I was up all night waiting for my son to be born. … Definitely, that pick-six was for him. I thought, ‘I gotta do something big for him.’ I want my son to know I’m important, that I’m going to always be a good dad. … I’m very excited.”

Rodriguez admitted he’d be cheering for the UCLA Bruins Saturday night, as that helps Arizona’s chances at earning the Pac-12 South title.

“I may break down and buy the Internet service,” he joked. “Go Bruins, huh.”

Twitter: adonsports EMAIL: adonaldson@deseretnews.com

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