No. 10 Utah stuffed by Arizona D in home upset
Sep 29, 2024, 02:35 AM ET
SALT LAKE CITY– Noah Fifita threw for 197 yards and 2 goals and Arizona’s defense stopped No. 10 Utah four times on 4th down to help the Wildcats beat the Utes 23-10 on Saturday night.The Wildcats never ever let the pressure get to them, even when the Utes made it a one-score game and had the sellout crowd behind them.
“This is an unique win,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan stated. “There’s so much pressure to perform … but they all started playing this game of football due to the fact that it’s fun. … And, kid, did we have a good time tonight.”
Arizona (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) kipped down an outstanding defensive efficiency with two interceptions, 8 pass breakups and seven tackles for loss.
“We understood they were going to make some plays and there would be some misfortune, however we were simply out there having a good time and making plays, revealing out,” Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu said.Utah (4-1,
1-1 Huge 12) played without quartacback Cameron Rising once again. Freshman Isaac Wilson moved the ball however couldn’t convert at a loss zone and tossed a set of interceptions.Fifita hit Tetairoa McMillan for a 41-yard hand down third-and-11 and then tossed a 35-yard goal to Keyan Burnett on another third-and-11 to make it 23-10 with 8:13 to play.Burnett had a career-high 5 receptions and 76 yards.Tao Johnson obstructed Fifita in the end zone on the first play of the 4th quarter before Wilson drove the field and found Caleb Lohner for a 20-yard TD reception to cut the cause 16-10 with 11:54 to play.In the 3rd quarter after Tyler Loop’s 53-yard basket, Wilson was intercepted by Genesis Smith on the next play. Loop’s ensuing 33-yard basket gave the Wildcats a 16-3 lead.Fifita utilized quick passes to prevent Utah’s pass rush and topped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard
TD pass to Jeremiah Patterson to provide Arizona a 10-3 lead at halftime. “Noah Fifita is just such an amazing football player and leader,”Brennan said.Fifita completed all seven passes on the Wildcats ‘opening drive
, but it was Kedrick Reescano’s 23-yard run that set up Loop’s 47-yard field goal.The Wildcats stopped the Utes’ very first two ownerships on downs, both inside the Arizona 10-yard-line on fourth-and-2.”Left points out there,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham stated.
“We were awful in the red zone. Dreadful. Dreadful. Until we get that repaired, we’re going to continue to have problems.
“Utah fans and the group waited to see if Increasing would have the ability to play after he harmed his tossing hand on Sept. 7. Again, it was a game-time choice, but Wilson was the one who
ran out with the offense. Rising, a seventh-year senior, has played just 4 overall quarters this season after remaining all of last season.Arizona now has a 6-31-1 road record against AP top-10 teams. The Wildcats’defense gave up the fewest indicate a top-10 group given that the program locked out No. 10 Miami 29-0 in the 1994 Carnival Bowl.