Tag: Arizona

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Sep 28, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) looks to pass against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Familiar coaches meet in showdown between No. 14 BYU, Arizona

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Arizona coach Brent Brennan and BYU counterpart Kalani Sitake will need no introduction on Saturday when the Wildcats and 14th-ranked Cougars collide in Provo, Utah.

The two have a longstanding friendship, once serving on Oregon State’s coaching staff together in 2015, Sitake’s lone season with the Beavers.

“I love Brent Brennan, man,” Sitake said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and a person.”

Brennan and Sitake coached against each other back in 2017, when Sitake led his Cougars to a 41-20 victory over San Jose State, where Brennan was from 2017-23. However, the stakes will be higher in Saturday’s matchup with BYU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) setting its sights on a conference championship.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats (3-2, 1-1) have some work to do in the Big 12 standings after falling 28-22 to Texas Tech last Saturday. A week earlier, Arizona had generated some momentum by pulling off a 23-10 upset of then-No. 10 Utah.

Against the Red Raiders, the Wildcats limited Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton to 214 yards on 17-of-29 passing. Morton didn’t throw for a touchdown, either.

But Arizona will have a stiffer challenge on Saturday with Jake Retzlaff stepping under center for the Cougars. Retzlaff is tied for the 18th-most TD passes in the nation among FBS teams (12), most recently firing three scores in a 34-28 victory over Baylor on Sept. 28.

Retzlaff completed 18 of 32 passes for 218 yards and was picked off twice against the Bears.

“In terms of the offense, I think (Retzlaff) is really starting to come into his own,” Sitake said. “So I feel really comfortable with everything, the timing of all of it. He can get better. But I like where he is at right now. And I like where his mindset is at. I look forward to seeing great things from him.”

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita passed for 301 yards against Texas Tech, but he attempted 49 passes, completing 28, with two interceptions and no touchdowns.

“I feel like every time we got something going, I would make a mistake or two that stalled the drive,” Fifita said about the loss to the Red Raiders. “So, I take full responsibility.”

BYU’s pass defense is rated 24th nationally, allowing 171.0 yards per game through the air. The Cougars also have seven interceptions, tied for 13th most in the country.

With Fifita struggling to finish possessions in the end zone against Texas Tech, Arizona had to settle for six field-goal attempts from Tyler Loop. By making good on five of those kicks, Loop set a single-game program record.

Even though the Wildcats struggled to fully cash in on their opportunities last time out, Sitake knows just how dangerous they can be.

“Arizona has tons of talent. They have a great quarterback and a very strong run game,” Sitake said. “The defense also knows how to make plays and force turnovers. We think the matchup is going to bring the most out of us.

“Coming into Provo, they will see an excited home base, but we can’t look at that as the only advantage to rely on. I’m excited about how our team worked last week. I’m excited about the progress we are making.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman Quincy Ledet Jr. (5) intercepts a pass from the Arizona Wildcats during second quarter. at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Texas Tech holds off Arizona for 3-0 start in Big 12 play

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Gino Garcia kicked a go-ahead 41-yard field goal with 2:21 left and Tahj Brooks scored a late touchdown after a turnover as Texas Tech beat Arizona 28-22 on Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz.

Brooks scored on a 32-yard run for a 28-19 lead after Texas Tech (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) knocked the ball loose from Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan and recovered the fumble at the Wildcats 43 with 2:12 to go. Brooks scored three touchdowns on the ground, rushing for 128 yards on 21 carries.

Tyler Loop hit a 52-yard field goal with 54 seconds left for Arizona (3-2, 1-1), but the Red Raiders recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

Brooks’ two lost fumbles loomed large until late in the game, as they helped the Wildcats rally from an 18-3 halftime deficit. The hosts took their first lead at 19-18 when Loop kicked a 37-yard field goal with 10:07 to go in the fourth quarter.

Loop converted a school-record five field goals on six tries, missing his fifth attempt, from 48 yards out, that would have given Arizona a four-point lead with 4:52 left in the game.

On the ensuing possession, Texas Tech put together its longest drive of the second half before stalling at the Arizona 23. That was close enough for Garcia, who booted his 41-yarder.

Texas Tech is off to its first 3-0 start in Big 12 play since 2013.

Behren Morton completed 17 of 29 passes for 214 yards for the Red Raiders. Caleb Douglas caught five passes for 116 yards. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez made 13 tackles, had one sack and forced McMillan’s fumble.

Arizona’s Noah Fifita finished with 301 yards on 28-of-49 passing. He was picked off twice. McMillan led the receiving group with eight receptions for 161 yards.

Brooks scored twice in the first half, on runs of 3 and 9 yards, with the second score coming with 1:38 to go until intermission. A two-point conversion try following that second TD was successful, giving Texas Tech a 15-3 lead.

Garcia made good on a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quali Conley (7) runs against the Utah Utes during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Arizona begins Big 12 era with a bang, stuns No. 10 Utah

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Noah Fifita threw a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and Arizona’s defense came up with four fourth-down stops as the Wildcats won their Big 12 debut by upsetting No. 10 Utah 23-10 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

Arizona (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) was up by six points in the fourth quarter when Fifita rolled right and threw deep into the end zone for Keyan Burnett for a 23-10 lead with 8:13 left.

The Wildcats stopped the Utes (4-1, 1-1) in the red zone on their first two drives of the game. Utah also turned the ball over on downs late in the third quarter after reaching the Arizona 44 when trailing 16-3. And a fourth-and-13 pass came up short at the Utah 38 with 5:15 left.

Utah, which had won 33 of its past 35 home games, was playing its third game without starting quarterback Cam Rising because of a finger injury. Freshman Isaac Wilson stepped in again, completing 20 of 40 passes for 280 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Fifita was 19 of 31 for 197 yards with two scores and one interception. Tyler Loop made field goals of 47, 53 and 33 yards. Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis was credited with five pass break-ups.

The Wildcats led 16-3 after three quarters and were in position for more, with the ball on the Utah 26. But Fifita threw into double coverage into the right corner of the end zone and was picked off by Tao Johnson.

The Utes marched 80 yards in six plays for their only touchdown of the game — a 20-yard pass from Wilson to Caleb Lohner with 11:54 to go. Arizona responded with an 87-touchdown drive, and then its defense did the rest.

Arizona previously was 5-32-1 all-time against AP Top 10 teams on the road.

Utah opened the game with 64- and 73-yard drives but came away with no points after being stopped twice on fourth down in the red zone, including fourth-and-goal from the 2. The third time around, facing fourth-and-3 from the 4, Utah kicked a 23-yard field goal to tie the game at 3 with 6:56 to go before halftime.

The Wildcats answered with a 75-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard pass from Fifita to Jeremiah Patterson for a 10-3 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with fans following the win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Kliff Kingsbury’s proteges face off as the Commanders head to Arizona

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As the first-year head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, Kliff Kingsbury’s mission was to develop a rookie quarterback with a Heisman Trophy on his resume, Kyler Murray.

Five years later, in his first year as offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, Kingsbury is doing the same with another Heisman Trophy-winning rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels.

Sunday when the Cardinals (1-2) host the Commanders (2-1), it will be a look-in at Kingsbury pupils, past and present.

So far, the Kingsbury-Daniels collaboration has been a rousing success as Daniels has shown improvement each week, culminating with a brilliant breakout performance Monday night in Cincinnati in the Commanders’ 38-33 win over the Bengals.

Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, including a stunning 27-yard game-clincher to Terry McLaurin as he was absorbing a huge hit from Cincinnati safety Geno Stone.

“Sometimes the bigger the challenge, the bigger the smile,” Washington head coach Dan Quinn said of the poise Daniels has shown.

“He is the answer,” Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen added.

In hitting on 91.3 percent of his passes, Daniels had the highest completion rate ever in a game for a rookie quarterback.

In three games, Daniels has yet to commit a turnover. He has directed 17 straight drives that either ended in a score or a kneeldown, dating back to the last drive of the season opener. Pro Bowl punter Tress Way hasn’t had to kick since Week 1.

Daniels, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, leads the high-flying Commanders to Arizona. The team flew directly there from Cincinnati because Quinn wanted “no outside voices,” to interfere with Washington’s preparation.

“One of the most challenging things for a young team to do is not to ride the roller coaster. It’s not easy because roller coasters are fun as hell,” Quinn said. “You can’t ride the highs and lows because both can be equally dangerous.”

A danger for Washington on Sunday is the Cardinals’ aerial combo of Murray and rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. Of Murray’s five touchdown passes, three have been to the former Ohio State standout.

Harrison had a touchdown catch on the opening drive in the Cardinals’ 20-13 loss at home to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. But on its next 10 possessions, Arizona produced only two field goals.

There should be more opportunities against Washington, which ranks last in the NFL in passer rating defense (127.6) and has surrendered more passing touchdowns (nine) than any team.

Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon expects the Commanders to be a tough challenge.

“Monday night, they played extremely well,” Gannon said. “They’re 2-1 for a reason. Big-time test coming in here.”

The Cardinals will not have to deal with Washington running back Austin Ekeler, who suffered a concussion on Monday night and has been ruled out, Quinn said on Wednesday. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee) also will be out.

Other Commanders who did not practice on Wednesday include guard Sam Cosmi (Achilles).

Gannon reported on Wednesday that defensive lineman Justin Jones (triceps) will miss the season. Replacing him on the roster will be veteran Naquan Jones, who was with the Cardinals in the preseason before joining the practice roster of the Miami Dolphins.

Missing practice on Wednesday were tight end Trey McBride (concussion) and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (knee). Players who were limited were safety Budda Baker (quad), offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (hamstring), linebacker Dennis Gardeck (finger), defensive tackle Dante Stills (shoulder) and Harrison (quad).

– Field Level Media

Utah's Brant Kuithe (80) celebrates a touchdown with Micah Bernard (2) in the second half of the college football between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Utah Utes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept., 21, 2024.

Micah Bernard, No. 10 Utah look to make mark vs. Arizona

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No. 10 Utah took a big first step in its new conference last week and will try to keep moving forward against one of its old Pac-12 rivals when it plays Arizona on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

The Utes (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) posted a statement victory last weekend, winning 22-19 at then-No. 14 Oklahoma State, even with backup freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson stepping in for the injured Cam Rising.

Mostly, though, it was the same ol’ Utes, as they showed the physical identity that was the hallmark of their success in the Pac-12. Running back Micah Bernard rushed 25 times for a career-best 182 yards, and Utah dominated the line of scrimmage, outrushing the Cowboys 249-48.

“I think we were the more physical team,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “I think the rushing statistics are indicative of that and paint that picture. That was our kind of game.”

That could be trouble for Arizona (2-1, 0-0), which was off last week after losing a nonconference game at Kansas State on Sept. 13, a defeat that knocked the then-No. 20 Wildcats out of the AP rankings. Arizona lost the battle of the line of scrimmage in that game, giving up 235 rushing yards and gaining only 56.

Although Arizona is now in the same conference as Kansas State, the programs kept their previously scheduled nonconference series when Arizona joined the Big 12. That makes this Saturday Arizona’s first game to count in the Big 12 standings.

First-year Wildcats coach Brent Brennan arguably has the top receiver in the nation in Tetairoa McMillan (23 catches, 453 yards, four touchdowns), but the offense hasn’t clicked in the past two games. Arizona scored a combined 29 points against FCS foe Northern Arizona and Kansas State.

Brennan said the early bye week was valuable in allowing his staff to re-evaluate play calls, personnel and tendencies heading into the team’s first official Big 12 matchup.

“Extremely well-coached team,” Brennan said of Utah.

“They’ve been winning lots of games every year for a very long time. They’re 20 years into their program build. They know exactly what they’re recruiting to, exactly what works there. They’re always one of the most physical football teams you play every year. High level of execution. Always really, really impressed with the football team.”

As for who plays quarterback for Utah this week, Whittingham wasn’t giving any updates on Monday. He added that Rising, who is dealing with a finger injury, was a “right-before-kickoff decision” last Saturday.

Wilson completed 17 of 29 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against Oklahoma State. He also ripped off a 48-yard run.

“Everything,” Whittingham said when asked about what he liked about Wilson’s performance.

“His confidence, his command of the offense. He’s got the ‘it’ factor for a quarterback. That’s so critical. You’ve got to have the guy that has that ‘it’ factor, that leadership, and the players really sense it. They love playing for him.”

As is usually the case, Utah targeted a standout tight end last week. Brant Kuithe caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a 1-yard score.

These programs met as ranked teams last season, when the No. 19 Wildcats pounced on the No. 16 Utes 42-18 in Tucson, Ariz. That result included a 51-yard touchdown pass to McMillan from a backup quarterback with 32 seconds left.

Utah has won 33 of its past 35 home games.

–Field Level Media

Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during the first quarter of the game against Arizona at Bill Snyder Family Stadium Friday, September 13, 2024.

Avery Johnson leads No. 14 K-State’s rout of No. 20 Arizona

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Avery Johnson passed for two touchdowns, Dylan Edwards returned a punt for a score and No. 14 Kansas State stopped the nation’s longest winning streak by beating No. 20 Arizona 31-7 in a nonconference game on Friday night in Manhattan, Kan.

Arizona (2-1) had won nine games in a row but didn’t muster much offense after going up 7-0 on the game’s first possession.

Edwards gave Kansas State (3-0) a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter with a 71-yard return, while Johnson was a dual threat, rushing for 110 yards on 17 carries and completing 14 of 23 passes for 156 yards.

Although it was a matchup of Big 12 teams, the result does not count in the league standings. The game was scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12 this season and was kept on the slate as a nonconference clash.

Arizona didn’t do much on offense beyond the passing connection of Noah Fifita to Tetairoa McMillan. Fifita was 26 of 42 passing for 268 yards, while McMillan made 11 receptions for 138 yards.

Fifita tossed a costly interception in the second quarter. He threw late over the middle and was picked off in the end zone by Keenan Garber, who preserved his team’s 14-7 lead.

Kansas State went up 21-7 with 9:29 to go in the third quarter when Johnson capped a touchdown drive with a 9-yard pass to Brayden Loftin, a score that was set up by a 48-yard completion to Jayce Brown on third-and-12.

DJ Giddens, who ran for 86 yards, scored on a 1-yard run late in the quarter for a 28-7 lead.

Kansas State held Arizona to 324 total yards.

Kansas State answered Arizona’s 14-play touchdown drive on the opening possession with a TD drive that lasted 15 plays, tying the game at 7 late in the first quarter on a 3-yard pass from Johnson to Will Swanson.

K-State missed a chance to add to its 14-7 lead after reaching the Arizona 19 with nine seconds left in the half. Johnson scrambled to keep the next play alive, and the clock ran out after a 5-yard gain.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quali Conley (7) jumps over Northern Arizona Lumberjacks cornerback Demetrius Freeney (7) during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

No. 20 Arizona rallies past Northern Arizona, 22-10

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Kedrick Reescano scored on a 56-yard run to give No. 20 Arizona some breathing room in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats rallied in the second half to top Northern Arizona 22-10 on Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz.

Arizona (2-0) outscored the Lumberjacks (1-1) 16-0 in the second half, extending the nation’s longest winning streak to nine games. The defense, coming up with a safety and a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter, made up for an off night for the offense.

Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita completed 18 of 26 passes for 173 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Quali Conley rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries.

Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, who caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four TDs last week against New Mexico, was limited to two catches for 11 yards against NAU.

Northern Arizona was backed up inside its own 1 early in the fourth quarter when Arizona tackled running back Darvon Hubbard in the end zone for a safety and a 15-10 lead. On the ensuing drive, Reescano broke through a hole on the left side and raced down the sideline for his long scoring run, giving the Wildcats a 22-10 advantage with 9:32 remaining.

NAU’s Ty Pennington was held to 84 yards passing, completing 14 of 24 attempts. The Lumberjacks, who totaled just 198 yards, lost the ball on a Pennington fumble near midfield with 1:46 left in the game.

After trailing 10-6 at halftime, the Wildcats got some momentum when they stopped Northern Arizona on fourth-and-1 at the NAU 34 on the first possession of the second half. One play after a third-down face-mask penalty by the Lumberjacks kept the ensuing Arizona drive alive, Fifita hit Jeremiah Patterson for a 17-yard touchdown and a 13-10 lead.

In a first half dominated by defense, NAU took a 7-3 lead on a 25-yard scoring pass from receiver Isaiah Eastman to Xander Werner with 10:24 to go in the second quarter. The Lumberjacks added a field goal about four minutes later after Mikale Greer intercepted a pass from Fifita.

The Wildcats cut their deficit to 10-6 on Tyler Loop’s 48-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates a touchdown during first quarter at Arizona Stadium. at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-USA TODAY Sports

WR Tetairoa McMillan (304 yards), No. 21 Arizona outlast New Mexico

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Tetairoa McMillan caught 10 passes for a school-record 304 yards and four touchdowns to help No. 21 Arizona pull away to beat New Mexico 61-39 on Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz.

McMillan, a preseason first-team AP All-American, scored on a 69-yard reception on Arizona’s third snap of the game and never stopped. He added scoring receptions of 17, 78 and 40 yards, in addition to a 31-yard gain in which he was pulled down at the 1.

New Mexico (0-2) stayed close through the first half, thanks to athletic quarterback Devon Dampier, who accounted for five touchdowns. The Lobos were up 24-17 before Arizona (1-0) scored the final 10 points of the first half and added three more touchdowns in the third quarter.

Dampier completed 24 of 42 passes for 260 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 130 yards and two scores for the Lobos, who lost their opener 35-31 at home to Montana State last week.

Arizona’s Noah Fifita completed 19 of 31 passes for 422 yards to help coach Brent Brennan win his debut with the Wildcats, who were playing their first game as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, in his first season at Arizona after transferring from New Mexico, rushed for 106 yards on 13 carries, scoring on a 36-yard run with 2:24 to go. Arizona’s Quali Conley, who followed Brennan from San Jose State, rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.

McMillian broke the school record of 283 receiving yards, held by Jeremy McDaniel against California in a four-overtime game on Nov. 2, 1996. McMillan was 10 yards short of the Big 12 single-game record of 314, set by Baylor’s Terrance Williams against West Virginia on Sept. 29, 2012.

McMillan had 208 yards and three touchdowns at halftime, but the Wildcats had to scramble for the final 10 points of the half to take a 27-24. Tyler Loop connected on a 46-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the half to give Arizona the lead. Loop also hit from 54 in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws a pass in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

No. 21 Arizona entertains old rival in Brent Brennan’s debut

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No. 21 Arizona opens the Brent Brennan coaching era on Saturday night in a nonconference game against New Mexico in Tucson, Ariz.

The Wildcats are ranked in the preseason AP poll for only the second time since 1999 – they were 22nd in 2015 – and the biggest reason for that is the internal recruiting Brennan did when hired in January to replace Jedd Fisch, who left for Washington.

Brennan, previously the head coach at San Jose State, held on to the bulk of the key players from Arizona’s 10-3 team, including wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and quarterback Noah Fifita.

“They made an incredibly unselfish choice,” Brennan said of the pair’s decision to turn down NIL opportunities at other schools. “They made the rare choice.”

Fifita (2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions) and McMillan, a preseason first-team All-American after catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 TDs last year), lead a potent offense that averaged 34.6 points per game last season.

New Mexico (0-1) has the benefit of having played a game, albeit with a painful result in head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s debut. The Lobos coughed up a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and fell 35-31 at home to FCS opponent Montana State.

New Mexico allowed 567 yards, including 362 yards rushing.

“Pretty consistently a gap off here, a gap off there, a missed tackle here, missed tackle there,” Mendenhall said of his team’s run defense. “But enough to where it was really inconsistent.”

Arizona could take advantage of that run defense with a revamped but deep running back group that includes Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 TDs on 189 carries last season … at New Mexico. He and San Jose State transfer Quali Conley (842 rushing yards last season) figure to lead the backfield.

The Lobos’ offense is led by athletic quarterback Devon Dampier, who completed 18 of 26 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown against Montana State. He also scored on a nifty 34-yard naked bootleg that was one of the highlights from Week 0 of college football.

New Mexico receiver Luke Wysong caught six passes for 95 yards last week, while Eli Sanders ran 17 times for 87 yards.

“They look like they play hard. They’re definitely creative defensively. Offensively, they’ve got some weapons,” Brennan said of the Lobos. “I feel like they were one catch away from it being over. They’re going to be ready to play.”

In addition to Merritt, another tie between the schools is Danny Gonzales, who was New Mexico’s head coach from 2020-23, going 11-32. He is now Arizona’s linebackers coach.

Arizona might be a bit of a mystery with Brennan in charge, aided by longtime U of A assistant Duane Akina (now the defensive coordinator) and former Syracuse coach Dino Babers as the new offensive coordinator.

“It does take extra time,” Mendenhall said of the preparation for potential tweaks to Arizona’s schemes, “but, really, the personnel they have warrants so much of the attention.”

The programs are old rivals, dating to 1908, although they haven’t played since 2015. Arizona leads the series 44-20-3.

–Field Level Media