Noah Fifita and Arizona’s defense shone brightly in a game that marked a significant shift in their season. On Friday night, the Wildcats delivered a striking performance, defeating Arizona State 23-7, thereby ending the Sun Devils’ aspirations for the Big 12 championship game.
Arizona’s quarterback, Noah Fifita, was at the forefront, throwing for 286 yards and one touchdown. The Wildcats’ defense was relentless, forcing five turnovers and restricting Arizona State to just 214 total yards. Coach Brent Brennan expressed his pride, stating, “I’m so proud of this Arizona football team. Nobody thought they could. Check us out now.”
Arriving at the clash, Arizona State, the reigning Big 12 champions with an 8-4 record, had hopes of reaching the title game. However, Arizona, now 9-3, dashed their hopes with a robust defensive performance. This game was regarded as the most anticipated Territorial Cup game in a decade.
The Wildcats’ kicker, Michael Salgado-Medina, overcame earlier misses to score two field goals in the second half. Kedrick Reescano added a 1-yard touchdown run, and Dalton Johnson sealed the victory with an interception near midfield, highlighting Arizona’s fifth consecutive win. This is noteworthy considering the team had a 4-8 record in Brennan’s first season.
Dalton Johnson commented, “We always talk about starting fast, but you’ve also got to finish strong. We did a great job of that.”
Arizona State’s quarterback, Jeff Sims, who was filling in for the injured Sam Leavitt, struggled by throwing three interceptions and losing two fumbles. An early mistake in the second half resulted in a turnover that allowed Fifita to connect with Cameron Barmore for a 9-yard touchdown pass, sparking a run of 20 straight points for Arizona.
Despite the loss, Arizona State’s coach Kenny Dillingham showed support for Sims, saying, “Jeff is 3-1 as a full-time starter. I feel for him tonight, I really do. I just have so much respect and love — he’s such a good human being.”
In contrast to last year’s 49-7 loss to the Sun Devils, Arizona has made significant improvements in defense, now ranking among the top 25 nationally. From the outset, they contained Arizona State, limiting them to only 15 yards in the first quarter.
The Sun Devils managed a 90-yard drive resulting in a 27-yard touchdown run by Sims, but their other scoring opportunity was thwarted when Jesus Gomez’s 49-yard field goal attempt hit the right post. Arizona State tight end Chamon Metayer admitted, “The challenge was us — we just had to get out of our own way. By the time we figured it out, it was too late.”
Arizona’s first half was marked by missed opportunities, including a fumble by Quincy Craig and a blocked field goal attempt by Salgado-Medina. Yet, they concluded the half with a 37-yard field goal by Salgado-Medina, narrowing the score to 7-3.
Coach Brennan remained confident in his kicker, stating, “I believe in Michael. We’ll get that worked out for the next one.”
As the Wildcats reflect on this victory, they are set to cherish the substantial progress made this season.
—
Read More Arizona News
