TCU defense healthy just in time for air attack from Arizona

Field Level Media|published: Wed 20th November, 15:23 2024

Nov 15, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

TCU brings the best passing game in the Big 12 into Saturday's matchup against Arizona in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs (6-4, 4-3 Big 12) rank sixth nationally with 329.6 passing yards per game, and they have some momentum, winning three of their past four games. Josh Hoover directs a big-play passing game, having completed 256 of 378 passes for 3,233 yards, with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Wide receiver Jack Bech has 982 receiving yards, with 16 catches going for at least 20 yards. He has nine touchdown catches.

Arizona (4-6, 2-5) ended a five-game losing streak Friday night with a 27-3 home win over Houston to keep alive its bowl hopes. But the Wildcats will have to pivot this week from playing against the worst passing team in the Big 12.

The Wildcats came up with three turnovers and four fourth-down stops against Houston, but they are playing without three key defenders due to season-ending injuries - defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Gunner Maldonado, and linebacker Jacob Manu.

The Wildcats tweaked some things offensively last week, inserting Joey Capra as the new right tackle, increasing the use of five-receiver sets and relying more on quarterback Noah Fifita to deliver quick passes.

"We've been really diligent the last couple of weeks of putting him on the clock every play and giving him that feedback in practice in the moment," coach Brent Brennan said of Fifita. "I think we were also a little more consistent up front. ... The concept where the ball has to get out fast is what we're trying to do."

TCU coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday that three defenders - linebacker Cooper McDonald, nose tackle Markis Deal and defensive lineman Hakeem Ajijolaiya - are expected to be available this week after missing one or multiple games.

The Frogs' goal will be to slow down Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan (69 catches, 1,136 yards, 7 TDs).

"Right now, they have the leading receiver in college football," Dykes said. "The guy's putting up big numbers, Has a huge catch radius, can really run. He's a big play waiting to happen, so it will be a big challenge for us."

--Field Level Media