Arizona Wildcats Upset No. 10 Utah Utes After Dark

©RobGray-ImagnImages

The Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 1-0 Big 12 Conference) shocked the No. 10 Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) beating them by a score of 23-10 on Sept. 28 in Salt Lake City. The Wildcats came out looking like a completely different team on both sides of the ball, stunning the Utes at home. Utes’ quarterback Cam Rising was held out once again and Isaac Wilson got the start.

Wildcats’ QB Noah Fifita proved he was one of the best in the country at his position, propelling Arizona to a major win. The Wildcats’ defense had Utah’s number all night long, making all the right plays to prevent the Utes from getting anything going. The Utes’ offense was stagnant, leaving a plethora of points on the field. The Big 12 continues to be a wild battleground with Utah falling early.

Game Summary

On the first drive, the Utes opted to not take the field goal and go for it on fourth-and-goal. Utah failed to convert, allowing Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to get straight to work. The prolific duo led the Wildcats downfield, setting up a Tyler Loop field goal from 47 yards, which was good. The Utes didn’t score before the end of the quarter, carrying the ball over into the second.

The Utes started the second quarter by trucking down the field again. When faced with their second fourth-and-goal scenario, they decided to go for it. They didn’t convert, leaving more points on the field. Now on defense, the Utes were able to force a punt and get into field goal range again. This time they went for it, and Cole Becker knocked down the 23-yarder. Fifita was a man on a mission, ending their next drive with a 3-yard touchdown to Jeremiah Patterson. The Wildcats’ defense held the Utes to a three-and-out. Neither team could score to close out the second quarter, and the Wildcats led the Utes 10-3.

Both teams traded punts to start the third quarter. The Wildcats got into field goal range, and Loop scored on a 53-yarder. When the Utes attempted to respond, Wilson threw a bad interception, giving the Wildcats a great field position. The Utes held off the touchdown but Loop scored another field goal, putting the score at 16-3. The Utes went for it again when faced with another fourth down, and they still couldn’t convert. The Wildcats were in striking distance, but Fifita threw an interception in the end zone, picked off by Tao Johnson.

The begin the fourth quarter, the Utes looked alive for a brief moment as Wilson moved the ball well with the help of Dorian Singer. Wilson ended the drive with a 20-yard dot to Caleb Lohner, scoring the Utes’ first touchdown. Salt Lake City got loud, but it didn’t matter. Fifita then threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Keyan Burnett, silencing the crowd in Utah. The game was sealed at that point, however, the Wildcats’ did miss a field goal later and Wilson threw another interception. The Wildcats upset the Utes 23-10

Arizona Wildcats Pull Away

The Wildcats were in control of this game from start to finish. The Utes couldn’t do much on offense with plenty of questionable play calls and decisions. Fifita shined as the player of the game, leading Arizona to a major upset in their first Big 12 game. After his touchdown pass to Patterson in the second quarter, Fifita held the reins of the game. He ended the game with 197 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception, but watching the game it would have seemed like much more.

What’s Next?

For Utah, there are a bunch of questions. Why didn’t they take the points? What is happening with Rising? Why didn’t he play? The team will likely have a decent fall in the Associated Press Top 25 poll with such a tough loss. The Utes were favored to win this game, but the upset makes their expectations of Big 12 champions look shaky. Without Rising, things can go south quickly. The Utes will try to bounce back after their Week 6 bye against Arizona State (3-1, 0-1) in Week 7.

For the Wildcats, this win is massive. It shows their loss to No. 23 Kansas State (4-1, 1-1) might not say the negative things that were assumed afterward. Their season could be right back on track after beating the No. 10-ranked team in the nation on the road. After their bye, the team looked much better overall, and Big 12 teams should take notice of the Wildcats. In Week 6, Arizona will look to keep the ball rolling against Texas Tech (4-1, 2-0) at home.