Grading Arizona football’s performance in loss to BYU

In the first big test of the season, Arizona traveled to BYU and kept in touch with the Cougars but ultimately fell 28-17 in a hard fought battle. In the first half, the Wildcats looked like they were up to the task but a second half shutout killed any confidence from the first 30 minutes.

Brent Brennan‘s group will have to refresh themselves with a lot of season left to play. This matchup can either be a learning lesson for Arizona or something that can bring it down.

Here are the grades for the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching from the loss to the Cougars:

I’m not sure anyone from Arizona could’ve asked for a better start to the game. The Wildcat offense went on a 12 play drive which was capped off by an 11 yard touchdown run by Noah Fifita.

He also went 6-7 and hit Giovanni Richardson on three of those passes for an early 34 yards receiving. The second drive was not so successful as Fifita threw his first interception of the season.

Arizona was able to march down the field on the next drive but stalled out and had to settle for a field goal attempt. The next drive resulted in a punt.

Right before the half, the offense reclaimed the lead after a ten play, 72 yard drive capped off by Shane King‘s first career touchdown catch from 16 yards out. Fifita also continued to show his ground attack with a 20 yard run that helped to set up the touchdown.

The third quarter was a struggle for the offense as it was unable to put any points on the board. The fourth quarter produced the same story, but where the game was lost was when Rodney Gallgher III did reach the first down marker on fourth down late in the game.

Fifita finished 23-31 for 230 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also had 11 rush attempts for 38 yards. Kedrick Reescano finished as the leading rusher for 49 yards on 15 carries.

Despite not finishing the game, Giovanni Richardson finished as the leading receiver with five catches for 48 yards. The offense finished with 327 total yards with 230 through the air and 97 on the ground.

At times, Arizona’s offense was able to do whatever it wanted but that was not the case in the second half. The left side of the offensive line struggled late in the game and will need to improve as the season progresses.

A three and out was forced on the first drive and Jay’Vion Cole nearly had a pick-six when he jumped a quick slant on third down. The next drive was not set up for success following a Fifita interception. On a short field, BYU punched it two plays later.

BYU found the endzone again on the next drive and the defense allowed the Cougars to take their first lead of the game. In a must-stop situation, Arizona’s defense did not allow BYU to add onto its lead with a three and out highlighted by a sack, courtesy of Leroy Palu.

While the defense kept BYU off the scoreboard before halftime, the Cougars man handled the Wildcats out of the half to reclaim the lead. It was a drive where Arizona seemed flat and missed tackles were an issue.

On the next drive, Arizona was able to stump BYU and force a three and out. To start the fourth quarter, the defense was able to force another punt.

BYU put the game out of reach after a 61 yard pass from Bear Bachmeier and then a 12 yard touchdown pass. The defense, at many points against the Cougars, showed resilience but could not do enough to slow down BYU.

365 total yards were given up by the defense with 217 coming through the air and 148 on the ground. Palu stayed with the only sack of the game for the Wildcats and no turnovers were created. Quinn Olson and Mays Pese were the leading tacklers with six a piece

At times the defense matched the physicality presented by BYU but could not stick with the Cougars in crucial moments. It’s still early in the season but the secondary has improvements to make, and if there is anything we know about Danny Gonzales‘ defense, it gets better as the season moves forward.

On the third drive of the game, the offense stalled and Michael Salgado-Medina drilled his first attempt of the season from 37 yards out. He also went 2-2 on PATs.

Chase Ridley had some good punts but when he really needed to pin BYU deep he was unable to do that. Outside of that, he had punts of 57, 39, and 44. Caleb Smith did have a 34 yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

The first half looked amazing, it seemed like Arizona understood what moment they were presented with. The offense was moving the ball with purpose and was on schedule for most of the first half.

Then things changed once Richardson went out. Fifita did not have a go-to target after the injury and never looked comfortable from there on out. The run game felt abandoned, and the offensive attack was not balanced.

There were also some questionable play calls in the second half. Some short runs and passes on critical third downs were confidence killers. However, the one decision that most will question is the fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter.

Of course, a made field goal is never guaranteed, but if Arizona goes for the field goal and does make it then it’s a one score game with a lot of time left. Once that fourth down was short, it felt like BYU had complete control of the game.

The defense made plays where it could but it also felt like BYU was playing with its food for most of the game. Whenever it wanted to, BYU man handled Arizona and it felt like there was no answer. All credit to the Cougars, they are a very well coached team and earned the win, but it felt like once again Arizona let it slip through its hands.