Arizona football pulled off a 23-10 upset over No. 10 University of Utah on Saturday night, powered by a standout defensive performance and some incredible plays from quarterback Noah Fifita.
The win moves the Wildcats to a 3-1 overall record and 1-0 in Big 12 play, while also handing Utah (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) its first loss of the season.
Defense
Arizona’s defense stole the spotlight, making key stops and forcing turnovers at crucial moments. The Wildcats stopped Utah on four fourth-down attempts, including two critical goal-line stands inside Arizona’s 10-yard line.
The defense also pressured Utah’s freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson into two costly interceptions, while accumulating eight pass breakups and seven tackles for loss. Linebacker Jacob Manu played a pivotal role, coming in second on the team in tackles with eight.
The key to the win for Arizona was their ability to stop the run. Arizona held Utah to just 2.9 yards per rush, which forced their freshman quarterback to have to throw the ball.
Utah’s red-zone struggles were glaring, with the Utes converting just two of four trips into points. Their inability to punch it in from close range cost them dearly, as they left points on the field early in the game. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham lamented the missed opportunities after the game, calling the red-zone performance “awful” and stressing that it was a major factor in the loss.
Offense
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was the catalyst on offense, making incredible throws late in the game to seal the victory. The sophomore finished with 197 passing yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball around to several playmakers. He completed a string of quick passes to avoid Utah’s pass rush and consistently moved the chains for Arizona.
Fifita’s biggest play came in the fourth quarter when, facing a critical third-and-11, he uncorked a 41-yard bomb to Tetairoa McMillan. Fifita was hit low on the throw, but still managed to drop the ball perfectly into McMillan’s hands. He followed that up by finding tight end Keyan Burnett for a 35-yard touchdown pass, extending Arizona’s lead to 23-10 with just over eight minutes left in the game. Burnett had a career night, catching five passes for 76 yards and the decisive score.
Fifita also led a key drive in the third quarter, using short, efficient passes to cap a 75-yard march with a 3-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Jeremiah Patterson. Arizona’s ability to balance the passing game with timely rushing contributions, such as Kedrick Reescano’s 23-yard run that set up an early field goal, helped them control the clock and keep Utah’s defense on its heels.
Looking Ahead
Arizona football will return home to Tucson to play University of Texas Tech Saturday October 5 at 8 p.m. in the team’s first ever Big 12 home game.
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