Wildcats’ senior quarterback B.J. Denker and the entire passing game have dominated the first half of the game.

Arizona (2-0) has a 24-6 lead over UTSA (1-1). Denker entered Saturday’s game averaging 84 passing yards per game. In the first half Denker has thrown for 113 yards on 10-of-16 passing.

Denker’s top receiver has been true freshman Samajie Grant, who only had one catch for 12 yards before tonight. Grant has been targeted six times catching five balls for 48 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown catch with 6:14 left in the first quarter.

Grant’s touchdown gave the Wildcats’ a 7-3 lead and came right after UTSA had kicked a field goal on the previous possession.

Arizona’s second touchdown came on their next possession as Denker scampered 35 yards into the end zone for a rushing touchdown. Denker has 64 rushing yards at halftime. Denker leads the team with four rushing touchdowns on the season.

Arizona’s offense would decline slightly in the second quarter but still managed to collect a field goal and late touchdown by running back Ka’Deem Carey.

Carey has for the most part been limited in the first half. The All-American has 39 yards on 11 carries with one four-yard touchdown run.

The Wildcats’ defense has also been strong especially on third down. Their SWAT defense has held UTSA to 3-9 on third down attempts, including one stop in the red zone during the Roadrunners first drive of the game. Safeties Tra’Mayne Bondurant and Jourdon Grandon along with freshman linebacker Scooby Wright lead the defense with five tackles.

Grandon grabbed his first interception of the season at the end of the first quarter. The pick was Arizona’s sixth on the season.

— Follow Luke Della @LukeDella