Tag: Arizona

Nov 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

New-look UCF demolishes Arizona to snap 5-game losing skid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UCF scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions and tallied 602 yards in total offense in a 56-12 rout of Arizona in a Big 12 game Saturday at Orlando, Fla.

The Knights (4-5, 2-4 conference) played their first game since coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof and replaced him with Addison Williams, who has coached primarily defensive backs.

Malzahn also relinquished play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. heading into the game with Arizona.

Dylan Rizk, a redshirt freshman, made the first start in his college career and completed 20 of 25 passes for 294 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Rizk also had 55 yards rushing on nine carries.

RJ Harvey rushed for 184 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns.

The Knights’ Jacoby Jones finished with five catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Randy Pittman Jr. had five receptions for 80 yards with two TDs.

Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita was 24 of 33 for 256 passing yards and two TDs with no interceptions. Seven of those passes were caught by Chris Hunter for a total of 102 yards.

Tetairoa McMillan had six catches for 84 yards with a touchdown. He became the first Arizona receiver to have two 1,000-yard seasons in a career. McMillan totaled 1,402 yards last season and is at 1,066 this year.

Rizk completed a 48-yard Hail Mary pass to Pittman as time expired in the first half, giving UCF a 35-6 lead.

That occurred 46 seconds after Arizona (3-6, 1-5) scored its first touchdown of the game, a 24-yard pass from Fifita to Sam Olson.

Arizona cut the lead to 42-12 with 8:08 left in the third quarter on a 2-yard pass from Fifita to McMillan.

The Knights struck back fast again less than two minutes later on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Rizk to Jones.

UCF went on its run of scoring a touchdown on seven straight possessions after a missed field goal concluded its first drive.

The streak ended with a punt with 13:32 remaining.

The Knights snapped a five-game losing streak with the victory.

Arizona is now on a five-game losing streak, failing to win since upsetting then-No. 10 Utah 23-10 on Sept. 28 in Salt Lake City.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quali Conley (7) fumbles the ball during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Backup QB Nicco Marchiol leads West Virginia past Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol, playing in place of injured Garrett Greene, led the Mountaineers to a 31-26 victory Saturday over Arizona in a Big 12 game at Tucson, Ariz.

Greene and starting left tackle Wyatt Milum, both of whom suffered upper-body injuries in last week’s loss to Kansas State at home, did not make the trip to Tucson.

Marchiol, from nearby Chandler, Ariz., completed 18 of 22 pass attempts for 198 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Arizona (3-5, 1-4) has lost four straight games.

West Virginia (4-4, 3-2) took its biggest lead of the game, 31-13, on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Marchiol to Traylon Ray with 13:31 remaining.

Noah Fifita completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to All-American candidate Tetairoa McMillan on Arizona’s next possession.

McMillan’s first touchdown reception since the season opener against New Mexico cut the lead to 31-19 with 8:52 remaining.

McMillan finished with 202 yards on 10 receptions.

Fifita compiled 133 of his 294 passing yards in the fourth quarter. He completed 21 of 32 pass attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

After a three-and-out for West Virginia, Arizona cut the lead to 31-26 on Fifita’s 3-yard scramble for a touchdown with 4:35 left.

Fifita completed a 49-yard pass to McMillan in the drive.

West Virginia was able to run out the clock after Marchiol completed a 9-yard pass to Jaylen Anderson on a third-and-7 play at the Mountaineer 39 with 2:02 left.

Marchiol led West Virginia to 17-7 halftime lead completing 11 of 13 passes for 98 yards with a touchdown.

West Virginia built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter behind a Michael Hayes II 45-yard field goal and a successful fake field goal that resulted in a touchdown.

The holder Leighton Bechdel took the snap and ran 14 yards for the score with 31 seconds left in the first quarter.

Arizona put together a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive that took 7:57 off the clock.

Quali Conley, who fumbled away the ball at the West Virginia 27 to end the previous possession, finished the lengthy drive with a 1-yard scoring run that cut the lead to 10-7 with 7:34 left in the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) runs during the first quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Injuries hamper West Virginia, Arizona in Big 12 matchup

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West Virginia and Arizona enter Saturday’s game at Tucson, Ariz., with significant injury concerns and disgruntled fan bases over their performances this season.

It will be the first meeting between the football programs. Both are now in the expanded Big 12.

West Virginia (3-4, 2-2) was uncertain early this week about the status of starting quarterback Garrett Greene, who did not play because of an upper-body injury in the second half of last week’s 45-18 home loss to then-No. 17 Kansas State.

If Greene can’t play, Chandler, Ariz., native Nicco Marchiol will take over.

“(Marchiol) is going to get a bunch of reps, so if his number’s called, he’ll be ready, and I expect him to play at a high level,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said.

Arizona (3-4, 1-3) will be without linebacker Jacob Manu, one of the team’s captains, and offensive tackle Rhino Tapa’atoutai for the rest of the season.

Manu suffered a non-contact knee injury and Tapa’atoutai a leg injury in a 34-7 home loss to Colorado last week.

This follows the news the previous week that starting safeties Gunner Maldonado and Treydan Stukes likely were lost for the season with knee injuries.

“It’s unfortunate how those things happen, but this is a situation where you always say, ‘Next guy up,’” Arizona first-year coach Brent Brennan said. “Somebody has to pick up the flag, and somebody has to get ready to go.”

Brennan fielded questions during his weekly press conference about potential mid-season coaching changes following criticism of fans on social media regarding Arizona’s offensive production despite having quarterback Noah Fifita and All-America receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

“If I dropped a pass on third down 30 years ago, it was in the paper. No one read it, not college kids,” Brennan said. “But now on social media if he drops a pass, he might get 10,000 people telling him that he’s trash.”

Meanwhile, a group of West Virginia fans labeling itself the “Wolfpack” has started a website requesting the firing of Brown. West Virginia has never cracked the AP Top 25 under Brown, who is 34-33 in six seasons with the Mountaineers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) runs for a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Buffaloes’ defense dominates in Colorado’s rout of Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdown passes and Colorado’s defense held Arizona to 245 yards of total offense in a 34-7 victory Saturday in their Big 12 matchup in Tucson, Ariz.

Colorado (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) limited the Wildcats (3-4, 1-3) to 107 yards rushing while producing seven sacks. Samuel Okunlola and Keaten Wade each had two sacks to lead the Buffaloes.

Sanders completed 23 of 33 pass attempts for 250 yards, with two interceptions. He engineered an offense that was 9-of-18 on third-down conversions, 8-of-11 in the first half as Colorado built a 28-7 lead.

Travis Hunter, Colorado’s two-way standout, started after missing the second half of last week’s loss to Kansas State at Boulder, Colo., with a shoulder injury.

Hunter did not play in the second half against Arizona after re-aggravating the injury.

Arizona’s Noah Fifita threw for 138 yards while completing 16 of 26 passes with a touchdown and an interception.

The Wildcats’ last 10 possessions ended with a fumble, six punts, an interception, another fumble and the clock running out to end the game.

Arizona crossed into Colorado territory just three times.

Colorado’s first three drives resulted in touchdowns as the Buffaloes built a 21-7 lead with 13:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Sanders accounted for two of the touchdowns, a 1-yard pass to Drelon Miller and a 16-yard connection with Will Sheppard.

Colorado then had possessions end in a lost fumble after an errant snap to Sanders and an interception thrown by Sanders before a late score in the half.

The Buffaloes took advantage of Jimmy Horn’s 16-yard punt return to the Arizona 31 by scoring a touchdown on a 7-yard run by Sanders with 1:12 left in the half, increasing their lead to 28-7.

The only scoring that occurred in the second half were field goals of 28 and 34 yards by Colorado’s Alejandro Mata.

LaJohntay Wester had eight receptions for 127 yards for the Buffaloes.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers hope Cardinals’ defense is salve for ailing offense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the least productive offenses in the NFL five games into the Jim Harbaugh era.

And highly paid quarterback Justin Herbert is averaging just 163 passing yards per game.

The Chargers will try to rev up the attack on Monday night when they face the struggling defense of the Arizona Cardinals at Glendale, Ariz.

The Cardinals (2-4) are tied for 27th in scoring defense by allowing 27.2 points per game. Arizona has allowed 34 or more points on three occasions, including last week’s 21-point loss to the Green Bay Packers.

So perhaps the opportunity is there for Los Angeles (3-2) to get its offense moving. The Chargers are tied for 26th in scoring offense at 18.2 points per game and sit 28th in total offense at 281 yards per game during Harbaugh’s first season with the club.

As for Herbert, he topped 200 passing yards for the first time all season when he threw for 237 in last weekend’s 23-16 road victory over the Denver Broncos.

The scoring output is the Chargers’ second most of the season.

“I’d like to win every game by 60 points, but this is the NFL,” said Herbert, who has thrown for 815 yards this season, 28th most in the league. “You have to go out there and give your best effort every week. We’re exactly where we are right now, and we have to find a way to keep getting better and keep moving forward.”

Arizona needs to start stacking wins after a start that includes a 42-14 home loss to the Washington Commanders and last week’s 34-13 road setback to Green Bay.

The Cardinals fell behind 24-0 to the Packers in the first 25-plus minutes of the contest and later lost three second-half fumbles to sabotage any chance of a comeback. They committed 13 penalties for 100 yards.

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray understands it was a shaky performance but said Thursday that a turnaround is possible.

“I don’t think anyone has given up on what we can accomplish,” Murray said.

Murray included a vow that he has “full faith” in the players and coaches.

“It’s a long season,” Murray said. “I’ve been on teams that started off hot and finished not where you want to, but I also understand the mindset and mentality that we have to have going into each week and moving forward.”

Rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. sustained a second-quarter concussion Sunday and missed the rest of the game.

Harrison remains in concussion protocol and took part in non-contact drills on Thursday. His availability will be determined later in the week.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon referred to Harrison’s progress as “really encouraging.”

Harrison, the fourth overall pick of the 2024 draft, has 17 catches for team highs of 279 yards and four touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh will wear a heart monitor during this contest after briefly leaving last week’s game against the Broncos due to arrhythmia. It was Harbaugh’s second in-game heart incident as a coach, the other coming in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers.

Harbaugh said that he passed tests performed by his cardiologist.

“Got some test results back. ‘The heart of an athlete’ is a direct quote from my cardiologist,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “That made me feel good. … Back in rhythm, hopefully that sticks. Got the monitor on.”

Chargers star pass rusher Joey Bosa (hip) missed practice after sitting out the past two games.

Cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Deane Leonard, both with hamstring injuries, also sat out for Los Angeles. So did tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) and wideout Quentin Johnston (ankle).

Sitting out for the Cardinals were offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (hamstring), defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf) and inside linebacker Owen Pappoe (hip).

Gannon also said that defensive tackle Bilal Nichols is done for the season. He sustained a neck stinger in each of the past two games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) dives as he catches a pass during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Travis Hunter, Colorado brace for test from Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

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Two-way Heisman Trophy hopeful Travis Hunter will be back in action for Colorado on Saturday when the Buffaloes oppose Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.

Hunter missed the second half of Colorado’s 31-28 loss to then-No. 18 Kansas State last week because of a right shoulder injury.

The junior, a standout at wide receiver and cornerback, figures to defend Wildcats All-America candidate receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

“I think (Hunter’s) impact of the game and his ability to impact both sides of the ball is incredible,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “I think that’s one of those challenges when you’re playing this team is that you know he is on the field.”

Hunter hurt his shoulder in the second quarter against visiting Kansas State when he was tackled on a 14-yard reception. On the season, he has 49 receptions for 587 yards with six touchdowns to go along with 17 tackles and two interceptions.

Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., who sustained a leg injury early in the Kansas State game, likely will play Saturday, according to coach Deion Sanders. He has 26 receptions for 347 yards.

Two other receivers for Colorado (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) who also were injured against Kansas State — Omarion Miller and Terrell Timmons Jr. — will not play at Arizona. Miller is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a leg injury.

Regardless of health, Sanders expects to see a better effort from his players this week.

The coach said at the start of the practice week, “The guys took it upon themselves and they came out certainly with a different attitude. Sometimes you get intoxicated with winning and thinking that you are really like that. Saturday was a wake-up call for a multitude of us.”

One of the Buffaloes’ biggest tests will be trying to slow McMillan, whom Sanders called “one of the best receivers in the nation and certainly a pro.”

McMillan ranks third nationally with 742 receiving yards on 42 catches. He has four receiving touchdowns.

Arizona (3-3, 1-2) is coming off a 41-19 loss at BYU last week, its second straight defeat. The Wildcats lost at home to Texas Tech the previous week.

Arizona is also enduring impactful injuries, with starting defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Gunner Maldonado reportedly out with season-ending leg injuries.

“A year ago, this team was 3-3, which is where we sit today,” said Brennan, in his first year at Arizona after inheriting a program that went 10-3 with a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. “The only difference between those things is how we feel about it because of the expectations going into the season, and so now all of a sudden, it feels worse.

“The good news is we have six opportunities left to play.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Cardinals place K Matt Prater, DL Bilal Nichols on IR, promote K Chad Ryland

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals placed kicker Matt Prater and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on injured reserve and promoted kicker Chad Ryland from the practice squad to the active roster on Tuesday.

Prater, who missed the last two games with a left knee issue, and Nichols, who suffered a stinger for the second consecutive game on Sunday in a 34-13 loss to the host Green Bay Packers, will be sidelined at least four games. Nichols is expected to be out for the remainder of the season, ESPN reported.

Ryland, who turned 25 on Tuesday, has filled in for Prater for the last two games and is 5-for-6 on field-goal attempts with a long of 42, and has made both extra points. He booted three field goals, including a 35-yarder with 1:37 left in regulation, in Arizona’s 24-23 road win over the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 6.

He played in 17 games for the New England Patriots in 2023 and was 16 of 25 (64 percent) on field goals with a long of 56, and was 24 of 25 on extra-point attempts.

Prater, 40, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection in a career that begin in 2007. He has played for the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Denver Broncos (2007-13), Detroit Lions (2014-20) and Cardinals (2021-present).

This season, Prater played in four games and was 6-for-6 on field-goal attempts (a long of 57 yards) and 10-for-10 on extra points. For his career, he has made 407 (the most of active kickers) of 487 field-goal attempts (83.6 percent) with a long of 64, and 587 of 603 extra points (97.3).

Nichols, 28, is in his first season with Arizona after signing as a free agent in March. He has 10 tackles in six games (five starts).

The Chicago Bears selected Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has played for Chicago (2018-21), the Las Vegas Raiders (2022-23) and Arizona and has 248 tackles, 14 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, 45 quarterback hits, one interception and five fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

In other moves Tuesday, the Cardinals released tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants from the practice squad.

The Cardinals (2-4) host the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) on Monday night.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars safety Tanner Wall (28) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig (5) during the second quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

No. 14 BYU remains unbeaten, cruises past Arizona

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No. 14 BYU used two turnovers by Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita deep in Wildcats territory early in the third quarter to seize momentum in a 41-19 victory Saturday in a Big 12 game at Provo, Utah.

Arizona’s first play of the second half resulted in an interception by Jakob Robinson, who leaped and grabbed a short pass attempt by Fifita.

BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) scored on the next play from the Arizona 9-yard line on Jake Retzlaff’s pass to Chase Roberts to increase the lead to 21-7.

Two plays into Arizona’s next possession, Fifita fumbled the ball while sacked by Isaiah Glasker. Harrison Taggart recovered the ball at the Arizona 15.

The turnover resulted in a 33-yard field goal by Will Ferrin with 13:11 left in the third quarter, putting BYU ahead 24-7.

Arizona (3-3, 1-2) cut the lead to 34-19 on Quali Conley’s 2-yard touchdown run with 2:58 left.

An onside kick was unsuccessful, but the Wildcats gained possession after Hinckley Ropati fumbled the ball away on BYU’s first play from scrimmage at the Arizona 32 with 2:49 left.

Arizona then turned the ball over on downs following four plays.

Given another opportunity after Arizona burned its three timeouts to force a punt, Fifita threw an interception that was returned 21 yards for a touchdown by Glasker with 1:02 left.

Fifita completed 26 of 52 passes for 275 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.

Retzlaff passed for 218 yards while completing 18 of 32 pass attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

With the game tied at 7, Arizona was at the BYU 28 when Fifita threw an interception that was caught by Tanner Wall at the Cougars’ 1 with 10:10 left in the second quarter.

BYU drove 99 yards on seven plays for a touchdown.

Parker Kingston took a lateral throw from Retzlaff and connected with LJ Martin for a touchdown on the trick play with 6:30 left in the second quarter, putting BYU ahead 14-7.

Arizona’s last possession of the first half ended with a turnover on downs at BYU 24 when Conley was stopped just short of the line to gain.

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darius Robinson (56) against the New Orleans Saints during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cards rule out DL Darius Robinson, WR Zay Jones vs. Packers

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Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday that defensive lineman Darius Robinson and wide receiver Zay Jones will not play in Sunday’s game against the host Green Bay Packers.

Robinson, the Cardinals’ second selection in the first round (27th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Missouri, has yet to play this season due to a calf injury in training camp. Gannon said Robinson, 23, had discomfort Thursday.

Arizona opened the 21-day practice window on Wednesday to activate Robinson to the 53-man roster. Robinson, who went on injured reserve on Aug. 27, was limited on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday.

Jones, 29, is dealing with a hamstring issue which limited him at practice on Thursday. He was a full participant on Wednesday when he returned from the NFL’s five-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Jones was arrested last November and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery causing bodily harm following an alleged altercation with the mother of his child. Florida prosecutors dropped the case in March.

“My focus has been trying to move forward. It’s been hard,” Jones said Thursday, speaking for the first time since his suspension. “It’s been difficult not only on myself, people around me. … To have that behind me now and to look forward to the positive things that are coming — not only for myself, but for this football team — is what I look forward to.”

He caught 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns in nine games (seven starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

After being released by the Jaguars in April, Jones signed a one-year contract in May with the Cardinals worth up to $2.25 million.

Jones has 287 catches for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns in 104 games (67 starts) with the Buffalo Bills (2017-19), Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2019-21) and Jaguars. His best season was in 2022, when he had career highs with 82 receptions and 823 yards. Buffalo drafted him in the second round in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Confident Cardinals seek to keep momentum in visit to Packers

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The Arizona Cardinals were looking like a team en route to a dismal season before posting a startling victory over the San Francisco 49ers last week.

Now the Cardinals (2-3) have a chance to reach the .500 mark when they battle the host Green Bay Packers (3-2) on Sunday afternoon.

Arizona recovered from a 13-point halftime deficit on the road against San Francisco for a 24-23 victory. Just as impressive was the way it was achieved.

Kyler Murray guided the Cardinals on a 12-play, 73-yard drive for a touchdown and followed up with a 14-play, 75-yard drive for Chad Ryland’s decisive 35-yard field goal with 1:37 left.

Murray’s performance prevented Arizona from falling to 1-4 and staring at another lost season.

“This league is really hard and I was frustrated with just the way we were playing (in the) first half,” Murray said. “… I feel like the score didn’t represent how well we were moving the ball and the way we were playing.

“When I said, ‘This league is hard,’ the margin for error is very tight and I feel like we were not necessarily giving the game away, but we just weren’t capitalizing on the opportunities we had.”

Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson had an interception and fumble recovery in the second half. The sixth-year pro is in his first season with Arizona and had just one total takeaway in his first five NFL seasons (three with the Cleveland Browns and two with the New England Patriots).

Now he feels he is on a team that can make a major jump.

“We’re sitting at 2-3, and I still feel like we’ve got a hell of a football team,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a lot of ball ahead of us, going to continue to take it one day at a time. There’s still something brewing in the desert.”

The Packers are entering a stretch in which they play five of seven at home.

Green Bay is coming off a 24-19 road victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Jordan Love threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to aid the Packers.

Love has thrown six touchdown passes in two games since returning from a knee injury. But he also has been intercepted four times.

“We’ve just got to continue to encourage (him) to take what’s there,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s always wanted to push the ball down the field, which I respect. One thing we always talk about is sometimes you’ve got to earn the right to throw it down the field.”

Defensively, safety Xavier McKinney has interceptions in each of the first five games to match the franchise record set by Packers legend Irv Comp in 1943.

“I’m on a mission,” said McKinney, who joined the team as a free agent in the offseason.

McKinney, 26, spent his four seasons with the New York Giants. He has matched his career best of five picks in 2021.

“The guy just has a knack for the football and he’s got great ball skills,” LaFleur said. “He’s very instinctive and smart to allow him to anticipate, to make plays, and then he generally makes the play.”

The Packers had receivers Romeo Doubs (suspension) and Christian Watson (ankle) on the practice field Wednesday. Watson was a limited participant. He was injured against the Minnesota Vikings late last month and sat out against Los Angeles.

Doubs was suspended for the game against the Rams due to “conduct detrimental to the team.” Published reports say he was unhappy with his role.

Defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (ankle) missed the practice.

Arizona receiver Zay Jones is expected to be active after completing a five-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Right tackle Kelvin Beachum and left guard Evan Brown both sat out practice with hamstring ailments.

The Packers defeated host Arizona 24-21 in 2021 in the most recent matchup.

–Field Level Media