New Wildcats Staff Begins Its 2024 Season, Welcoming Lobos

Wildcats welcome Lobos — © Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Arizona enters the 2024 season with a new coaching staff following Jedd Fisch's departure. Ushering in a new era, coach Brent Brennan and the Wildcats (0-0) welcome the New Mexico Lobos (0-1) to start their season. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. EST on Aug. 31 in Tucson, Ariz.

The Stakes

Brennan is in his first year at Arizona after seven seasons leading San Jose State. He managed to stave off attempts from other large programs to poach players after Fisch's exodus, keeping top players in Tucson. Arizona finished last season 10-3, including a victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. Thus, Brennan comes into a ready-made product with high expectations.

The Lobos are also working with a new coaching staff after pulling former BYU and Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall out of his vacation home in Montana. A 17-year veteran head coach, Mendenhall knows how to rebuild football programs, having done it twice before. This week will be the second game for the Lobos in 2024 as they blew a fourth-quarter lead to FCS opponent Montana State in Week 0 to open their season.

Key Players: Arizona Wildcats

Noah Fifita, Quarterback/Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver: The best quarterback and wide receiver duo in the Big 12 Conference returns to Tucson despite attempts from larger programs to pry them away. The duo connected 90 times for 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. With the new staff and style of offense, Fifita and McMillan are just scratching the surface.

Tacario Davis, Safety: Tacario is coming off a second-team All-Pac 12 Conference nod in 2023. He led the conference pass breakups with 15 and pass deflections with 16. Davis will be an important player for this defense and a key cog for this team that expects to compete in the new Big 12.

For the Wildcats to come away with the win they will need to play Arizona football—stay within themselves and don't get too cute. The first two weeks feature the Wildcats' least formidable opponents of the season. So it will be important for the team to put together complete four-quarter games and work out all kinks with the new coaching staff.

Key Players: New Mexico Lobos

Devon Dampier, Quarterback: Newly minted starting QB Devon Dampier started his season well despite taking a loss to Montana State in a windstorm. Dampier completed 18 of 26 attempts and accumulated over 200 all-purpose yards with 2 touchdowns. Devon is an athletic smaller QB who takes care of the ball passing and rushing.

Noah Avinger, Cornerback: Avinger played a dynamic role for the Lobos in week one flying all over the field. Against Montana State, Noah had 14 tackles, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. The San Diego State transfer DB made an immediate impact and will need to have another huge game to help the Lobos compete against the potent Wildcats Offense.

For the Lobos to come away with the road upset win, they will need Dampier to play out of his mind and lead the offense. New Mexico will need to keep up with the scoring output of the Wildcats, led by the dynamic duo of Fifita and McMillan.