The University of Arizona football team (3-1, 0-1 in Big 12) suffered a devastating 39-14 loss to No. 14 Iowa State University (5-0, 2-0 in Big 12) on Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. The Wildcats’ three-game winning streak came to an end after dropping the conference opener.
Redshirt junior quarterback Noah Fifita finished with 253 passing yards, going 32-for-48, throwing a pair of touchdowns and interceptions. Senior transfer running back Ismail Mahdi ran for 85 yards on 13 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
Offense
Arizona’s offense got off to a rough start after missing a 46-yard field goal on the opening drive. The Wildcats went three-and-out and punted on three consecutive drives. On the following drive, Fifita was picked off at midfield before the Cyclones extended the lead 22-0 in the second quarter.
Arizona responded by driving down the field as Fifita connected with redshirt senior wide receiver Kris Hutson on a nine-yard touchdown to get on the board before halftime.
The Wildcats put up a season low of 7 points in the first half.
The offensive struggles continued in the second half, as the Wildcats’ first drive resulted in a turnover on downs, with the drive lasting less than three minutes.
Despite the offensive woes, Arizona reached the endzone midway through the third quarter. Fifita found redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tre Spivey in the back of the endzone on fourth and goal to cut the deficit 36-14.
As Arizona tried to make a last-minute effort, Fifita threw yet another interception at the goal line, ending all hope for the Wildcats.
Defense
As much as Arizona struggled on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side was not any better. The Wildcats allowed a season-high 39 points and 399 total yards.
Iowa State scored on its first drive of the game, but rather than kicking the extra point, the Cyclones ran a trick play and converted the 2-point conversion to go up 8-0 in the opening quarter.
More of the same would continue in the following two quarters, allowing a pair of touchdowns in both periods.
Iowa State’s biggest lead at one point was 36-7, before the Wildcats’ defense held ground in the fourth, giving up just 3 points.
Despite the interception from redshirt senior defensive back Treydan Stukes, it would not be nearly enough to withhold the Cyclones.
“Tonight was a harsh measuring stick,” Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will return home and host Oklahoma State University for the first home conference game of the season on Oct. 4, at noon at Arizona Stadium.
Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X
