Tag: Arizona

Struggling Kansas, Arizona battle for bowl eligibility

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The winner of the Kansas-Arizona game on Saturday afternoon in Tucson, Ariz., will gain bowl eligibility and momentum heading into the last month of the regular season.

The first meeting since 1966 between Kansas (5-4, 3-3 in Big 12) and Arizona (5-3, 2-3) also will showcase two of the top quarterbacks in the conference — the Jayhawks’ Jalon Daniels and Wildcats’ Noah Fifita.

Kansas lost three of its previous four games before topping Oklahoma State 38-21 at home last week behind Daniels leading the Jayhawks to four second-half touchdowns.

Arizona also suffered defeats in three of four games before winning at Colorado 52-17 last week, with Fifita throwing four first-half touchdown passes.
The numbers of the two quarterbacks are similar.

Daniels has completed 160 of 240 pass attempts for 1,991 yards with 20 touchdowns and three interceptions, while Fifita is 166 of 254 for 2,042 yards. He has 21 touchdown passes and four interceptions.

“Jalon Daniels is brilliant,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “He’s a California kid (from Lawndale). We’ve been watching him play since he was 14. Great player. Can do it all, make the throws, effective as a runner. We got a lot of work to do to get prepared for this game.”

Fifita has scrambled more for positive yardage this season, although not abundantly. He has gained 84 yards on 62 carries with three touchdowns after rushing for minus-16 yards on 104 carries with one touchdown in 2023 and 2024 combined.

“(Fifita) obviously gets the ball out quickly, very mobile, extends plays when he has to,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “The accuracy part is what’s really impressive … he’s up there with the top in the league, without a doubt.”

Daniels is more of a threat as a runner, gaining 271 yards on 88 carries with two touchdowns this season.

He has 1,318 rushing yards in his six-year career at Kansas, playing that long because of the COVID-19 waiver in 2020 and a back injury in 2023 that limited him to three games.

–Field Level Media

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (foot) lands on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Out since Oct. 5 with a foot injury, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and will miss at least four more games.

The Cardinals announced Tuesday that Jacoby Brissett would start against the Seattle Seahawks, but the IR move clears the way for Brissett to remain the starter for the foreseeable future.

“It’s the best thing for him and for us,” Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said of Murray being placed on IR. “He’s fully committed. What he is going to concentrate on is getting healthy. He is not healthy enough to play, and he needs to get healthy so he can get back to playing football.”

ESPN reported earlier this week that the Cardinals have been informed by foot doctors that the two-time Pro Bowl QB’s recovery timeline could last four to eight weeks.

With the IR move, the earliest Murray could return is Dec. 7 for a Week 14 home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Murray, 28, has completed 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts this season. The No. 1 overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft has rushed for a team-high 173 yards and one score.

Brissett, 32, has passed for 860 yards and six touchdowns in his three starts. He also has been intercepted just once. He passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas in Monday’s 27-17 victory.

The Cardinals are averaging 25.7 points per game under Brissett with a low output of 23 games.

In Murray’s five starts, Arizona averaged 20.6 points and scored more than 21 points just once.

Kedon Slovis, 24, is the backup quarterback. He hasn’t taken an NFL snap.

Brissett will make his fourth consecutive start Sunday when the Cardinals (3-5) visit the NFL West-leading Seahawks (6-2).

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Defensively challenged Arizona, Colorado desperate for a win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Optimistic fans at Arizona and Colorado are looking at their remaining schedules and trying to find enough wins to become bowl eligible.

It’s safe to suggest that Arizona (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) counts Colorado as a potential win while the Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4) are doing the same with the Wildcats as they prepare for Saturday’s showdown in Boulder, Colo.

Arizona, which comes off a bye week, wants to snap a two-game skid. Colorado spent last Saturday suffering a 53-7 loss at Utah.

Home field could be a big advantage for the Buffaloes. They’re 3-2 at home with the only setbacks near-upsets of Georgia Tech (27-20 loss in the season opener) and BYU (24-21 defeat on Sept. 27).

Meanwhile, Arizona has lost its only two road games this season against Iowa State and Houston.

“When I look at Colorado, I think they are a team that is incredibly tough at home,” said Arizona coach Brent Brennan, who is 1-6 on the road in his two seasons with the Wildcats. “We know going into this that we’re going to have to play in an incredible atmosphere. It’s homecoming. It’s sold-out.

“It’s going to be a really challenging atmosphere. Crowd noise, elevation, all that good stuff.”

Another concern for Brennan is the Wildcats’ rush defense, which yielded 490 yards on the ground in its losses the last two games — 258 to BYU and 232 at Houston.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders said Tuesday that he had yet to return to his home after the loss at Utah because of the amount of work needed in all phases after the blowout loss.

“Last week was a tremendous surprise because of the great practices we had,” he said. “These young men have responded tremendously, and I’m proud of them. I’m trying to push every button I can.”

Arizona’s hopes rest on quarterback Noah Fifita, who hit 24 of 26 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns on Oct. 18 at Houston. Fifita has completed 65.9% of his passes for 1,829 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions in seven games this season.

“The kid, to me, is a pro,” Sanders said. “He can play.”

Fifita gets a chance to burnish his reputation against a Colorado unit that ranks No. 119 in team defense in FBS, yielding 427.6 yards a game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Game-winning field goal helps Houston slip past Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ethan Sanchez hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give Houston a 31-28 win over Arizona in a Big 12 Conference game on Saturday afternoon in Houston, Texas.

Sanchez, the reigning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, missed a 48-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter that allowed Arizona to go downfield and tie the game.

The Cougars (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) locked up bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022 by leaning on their run game, which produced 232 yards. Dean Connors ran for 100 and quarterback Connor Weigman added 98 with a touchdown while also throwing for 164 yards and three TDs.

Arizona (4-3, 1-3) got 269 yards and two TDs from Noah Fifita, who was 24 of 26. The Wildcats have dropped five straight road games.

Up 21-14 at halftime, Houston opened the second half on a 17-play drive capped by a 2-yard Amare Thomas TD catch. Arizona cut it to 28-21 on the first play of the fourth on a 3-yard run by Tre Spivey, who also had a 70-yard TD reception on the game’s opening possession.

Sanchez missed from 48 yards out with 11:40 left, opening the door for Arizona to tie it on a 2-yard run by Kedrick Reescano with 4:48 to go before Sanchez’s winner.

The teams traded touchdowns on the first three drives, with Arizona scoring three plays into the day on the TD catch by Spivey and Houston following four plays later with a 52-yard TD catch by Thomas. A 13-yard TD by Luke Wysong put the Wildcats up 14-7 less than nine minutes into the game.

The Cougars tied it with 5:18 left before halftime on a 10-yard Weigman run one play after he found Dean Connors on fourth down for a 33-yard gain. Weigman then hit Tanner Koziol with 16 seconds left before halftime on a 15-yard TD pass.

Arizona is off until visiting Colorado on Nov. 1 while Houston visits Arizona State on Oct. 25.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (foot) designated as limited at practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray, inactive for last Sunday’s game because of a foot injury, was designated a limited participant in the Cardinals’ estimation of Wednesday’s practice.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon, who switched up the team’s weekly practice routine to make Wednesday a walkthrough, said Murray will return to the lineup when he is healthy enough.

Murray, 28, injured his foot during the third quarter of the 22-21 home loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 5.

Jacoby Brissett started in his place and was 27-of-44 for 320 yards, two TDs and one pick in a 31-27 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Murray had not missed a game since sitting out Weeks 1-9 in 2023 while recovering from surgery for a torn ACL.

He has completed 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts this season. He has rushed for 173 yards and one score for Arizona.

Arizona (2-4) hosts the Green Bay Packers (3-1-1) on Sunday.

The Cardinals’ long injury report on Wednesday included no practice for running back Emari Demercado (ankle) and wide receiving Zay Jones (knee).

Murray was designated as limited along with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion), running back Bam Knight (knee), cornerback Darren Hall (quadricep), linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (foot), safeties Kitan Crawford (ankle) and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle), and defensive lineman Darius Robinson (pectoral), who has missed the last two games.

The team opened the 21-day practice window for Walter Nolen III, the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft who had not practiced since a calf injury prior to training camp.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones rally Colts past Cardinals

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Jonathan Taylor rushed for 123 yards and the go-ahead touchdown Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts rallied in the fourth quarter to edge the visiting Arizona Cardinals 31-27.

Taylor scored on a 1-yard run with 4:32 left as Indianapolis (5-1) took a one-game lead in the AFC South on Jacksonville, a 20-12 loser at home to Seattle. Quarterback Daniel Jones added 212 yards passing on 22 of 30 accuracy, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception.

Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, starting in place of injured Kyler Murray (foot), completed 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It wasn’t enough to prevent Arizona (2-4) from losing its fourth straight game.

The Cardinals drove to the Colts’ 9-yard line on their last possession, but Brissett’s fourth-down pass for Trey McBride fell incomplete with 53 seconds left. Taylor clinched the outcome two plays later by ripping off a 16-yard run.

Arizona outgained Indianapolis 400-355, but the visitors failed to score twice in the red zone.

Coming off a 40-6 rout of Las Vegas last week, Indianapolis looked ready to blow out another opponent at home when it took the opening kickoff and ripped off an instant touchdown drive. Jones hit rookie tight end Tyler Warren for an 8-yard strike.

But Arizona responded on its second possession, chewing up 6:12 and tying the game on Bam Knight’s 1-yard run at the 1:42 mark. Jones regained a 14-7 lead for the Colts on a 3-yard run around right end that capped an 87-yard drive.

The Cardinals clicked into rhythm offensively by scoring on their next three possessions bridging the halves. Chad Ryland brought them within 14-10 at the half on a 40-yard field goal. Brissett gave them their first lead on a 1-yard touchdown pass to McBride with 8:39 left in the third.

After Michael Badgley connected on a 45-yard field goal for Indianapolis, Brissett found Greg Dortch for a 12-yard scoring strike at the 1:22 mark of the third for a 24-17 advantage.

The Colts pulled even about three minutes later, when Jones found Josh Downs for a 5-yard TD toss early in the fourth quarter. Ryland then put Arizona ahead 27-24 on a 44-yard kick with 9:31 to play.

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) runs after a catch against West Virginia Mountaineers safety Derek Carter Jr. (13) and safety Darrian Lewis (24) during the fourth quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Arizona’s stingy pass defense plots to slow No. 18 BYU

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No. 18 BYU has never produced back-to-back 6-0 starts in its storied history.

The Cougars have an eye on that milestone and also crave to remain unblemished in Big 12 play when they battle Arizona on Saturday night at Tucson, Ariz.

BYU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) is looking to open a season with six straight wins for just the seventh time in program history. One of those campaigns was turned in by the 1984 national championship squad.

The Cougars have twice previously started 6-0 under coach Kalani Sitake, winning their first nine on both occasions. In addition to last season’s team, the 2020 squad led by Zach Wilson also turned in such a start.

BYU, which recorded a 38-24 home win over West Virginia on Oct. 3, is entering a tricky stretch.

After facing the Wildcats (4-1, 1-1), fierce rival Utah and ranked teams Iowa State and Texas Tech follow on the slate.

“That is what we are going to talk about — being more grateful and stepping it up in the joy we have playing the game,” Cougars receiver Chase Roberts said. “We learned a lot (against West Virginia). It was a great game for us heading into these tougher games coming up.”

Roberts (161 yards on four catches) and Parker Kingston (111 yards and a touchdown on fourth receptions) both had career-best yardage games against the Mountaineers. So did freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who threw for 351 yards and a TD with one interception.

Bachmeier and Roberts also teamed up on an 85-yard pass play, the school’s longest since now-Texas coach Steve Sarkisian connected with Dustin Johnson for 87 in a 1996 game against Rice.

The Cougars average 38.4 points per game but could be challenged by a sturdy Arizona pass defense.

The Wildcats are the only team in the nation to not allow a passing touchdown and they have limited three of their five opponents to fewer than 100 passing yards. They held visiting Oklahoma State to 69 through the air and 158 total last weekend in a 41-13 trouncing.

The Wildcats are eager for a better showing against BYU, which coasted to a 41-19 victory in Provo, Utah, in 2024.

“Last year is last year,” Arizona linebacker Max Harris said. “Heading towards BYU, it is a faceless opponent. The next opponent on the schedule is whoever it is. We’re just going to play and give it 100 percent every time.”

Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita was intercepted three times in last year’s matchup while completing 26 of 52 passes for 275 yards and one touchdown.

Fifita tied his career high of five touchdown passes — the fourth time he has thrown that many — in the win over Oklahoma State.

Overall, Fifita has passed for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns against three picks this season.

“It’s trying to find a way to disrupt (Fifita), but even when you do that and bring more pressure, he knows where to go with the ball,” Sitake said. “He’s a great player and I know he’s a great young man. That’s the kind of guy that everyone should cheer for. … We know this is going to be a tough task.”

Fifita is tied for third in Arizona history with 57 passing touchdowns and is fourth with 7,296 passing yards.

“Being a Division I quarterback on this level is hard. You get way too much credit and too much blame,” Wildcats coach Brent Brennan said. “Noah Fifita handles it with incredible class and dignity. He’s a great leader and a great teammate.”

Arizona has lost the past four meetings with the Cougars.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) looks to throw the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 5, 2025.

Titans pull off remarkable rally to beat Cardinals for first win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joey Slye converted a 29-yard field goal as time expired Sunday to lift the Tennessee Titans to a 22-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. for their first win of the season.

Slye’s kick capped a comeback from a 21-6 halftime deficit that saw rookie quarterback Cam Ward come to life in the fourth quarter, throwing for 193 of his 265 yards. Ward, who completed 21 of 39 passes with an interception, led a 71-yard drive in the last 1:53.

The big play was his 38-yard strike to Calvin Ridley that got the ball to the Arizona 15. Tony Pollard ran to the 4 on the next play and Ward kneeled three times, placing the ball in the middle for Slye to connect on his third field goal of the day.

Pollard’s 1-yard touchdown run got Tennessee (1-4) within 21-12 at the 10:26 mark. Tyler Lockett recovered a fumble in the end zone with 4:39 remaining to cap an improbable sequence that made it 21-19. Arizona’s Dadrion Taylor-Demerson dove to pick off a tipped Ward pass at the 5 and coughed up the ball when he stood up. A teammate kicked it to the 3, then Cardinals fighting for possession made the ball squirt across the goal line where Lockett dove on it ahead of two Cardinals.

Kyler Murray hit 23 of 31 passes for 220 yards for Arizona (2-3). Emari Demercado unwittingly started the Titans’ comeback when he dropped the ball just before completing what would have been a 72-yard touchdown run that would have made it 28-6 with 12:40 to go. Instead, it became a touchback and the Titans’ ball.

The Cardinals wasted no time denting the scoreboard, going 67 yards on their opening drive and scoring on Michael Carter’s 1-yard run just 4:06 into the game. Tennessee responded with Slye’s 44-yard field goal with five minutes left.

Murray made it 14-3 with 39 seconds left in the first, scrambling 12 yards around the right end to polish off a 65-yard drive. A Pollard fumble gave Arizona the ball at the Tennessee 27 on its next possession and Bam Knight cashed it in with a 1-yard plunge at the 10:43 mark.

Slye connected from 51 yards out on the Titans’ next possession. Tennessee started the drive off at the Cardinals’ 34 after a 65-yard kickoff return by Chimere Dike, but managed just one yard before sending Slye out for his field goal that made it 21-6 at the half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) looks to pass the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Noah Fifita has day for the record books in Arizona win over Oklahoma State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Noah Fifita threw for 376 yards while completing passes to 10 different receivers in Arizona’s 41-13 victory Saturday over Oklahoma State in a Big 12 game at Tucson, Ariz.

Fifita, who completed 28 of 38 pass attempts, tied a career high with five touchdown passes and had an interception.

Oklahoma State (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) played its second game without fired head coach Mike Gundy and first without defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who was let go Monday.

Arizona’s defense limited Oklahoma State to 158 yards of total offense — 69 passing and 89 rushing — and forced two turnovers.

Tre Spivey, a transfer from Kansas State, scored the first two touchdowns for Arizona on receptions of 13 of 22 yards that put the Wildcats ahead 14-3 with 1:26 left in the first quarter.

Spivey finished with three catches for 80 yards.

Arizona (4-1, 1-1) increased the lead to 21-3 with 6:20 left in the second quarter after Fifita scrambled away from a blitz and found New Mexico transfer Luke Wysong for a 47-yard touchdown.

It was the first touchdown with Arizona for Wysong, who had five receptions for 92 yards.

Oklahoma State cut the lead to 21-6 with 1:01 left in the half when Logan Ward made his second field goal, a 46-yarder with 1:05 left in the half.

Arizona’s Michael Salgado-Medina then converted a 34-yard field goal as time expired in the half for a 24-6 lead at the break.

The Wildcats had an opportunity to build on their lead with 7:14 left in the third quarter after Tre Smith recovered a fumble at the Oklahoma State 44 that was coughed up by Ronnie Fields Jr. following a strip by Max Harris.

A 45-yard pass from Fifita to Spivey took the ball to the Oklahoma State 1.

Fifita then fumbled the ball away at that spot with 5:33 remaining in the quarter when Gregory Wendell punched the ball loose and Brian McCoy Jr. recovered.

After a three-and-out forced by Arizona’s defense, Fifita atoned for his fumble by completing a touchdown pass to Javion Whatley. The 21-yard strike increased Arizona’s lead to 31-6 with 2:58 left in the third quarter.

Fifita, who added a 29-scoring play a minute later, now has 57 touchdown passes in his career, which is tied for third at Arizona with Khalil Tate.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma State Interim Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Doug Meacham talks with Zane Flores (6) before the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Minus another coach, Oklahoma State prepares to oppose Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma State, with its coaching staff in flux, heads out to face Arizona on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy was fired last week after the team lost two of its first three games, including a blowout defeat at then-No. 6 Oregon and a home loss to in-state rival Tulsa. Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham became the interim head coach.

On Sunday, following a 45-27 home defeat against Baylor, Oklahoma State ousted defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Clint Bowen, an offensive quality-control assistant, was installed as the interim defensive coordinator.

Oklahoma State’s defense ranks last in the Big 12 in average points (35) and yards (473) allowed per game.

The Cowboys (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) have yielded more than 600 yards twice this season — 631 in a 69-3 loss to the Ducks and 612 last week against the Bears.

“I’ve never been a head coach of an elementary school,” said Meacham, who is in his 38th year of coaching and previously served as the offensive coordinator for TCU, Kansas and Houston. “This is a lot of new stuff I’ve never thought about. Everybody thinks being a head coach is easy.

“I’m just so proud of the kids, their willingness to participate and the vibe they’re providing.”

Oklahoma State will try to snap a 12-game losing streak to FBS teams when it plays Arizona.

The Wildcats (3-1, 0-1) are coming off their first loss, a 39-14 setback at No. 14 Iowa State in their first road game of the season.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita will look to bounce back from an up-and-down performance that included two interceptions.

The Wildcats missed a field goal to cap their first possession, and they turned the ball over on downs twice in the second half.

“For me, the biggest thing there was just our lack of execution,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “That part was frustrating and disappointing. (Sunday) was a good day for us to assess everything, get back to work and reset.”

Fifita completed 32 of 48 pass attempts for 253 yards with two touchdowns. On the season, he is 78 of 126 for 965 yards with eight touchdown passes and the two interceptions.

His counterpart at Oklahoma State, redshirt freshman Zane Flores, has yet to throw a touchdown pass. Flores has completed 68 of 120 passes for 649 yards with two interceptions.

–Field Level Media