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

Field Level Media|published: Sun 29th September, 02:17 2024

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

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