TUCSON, AZ – Noah Fifita’s last first-game in Tucson went off without a hitch. The Arizona Wildcats used a balanced offensive attack, coupled with a stout defense up front, to roll past in-state foe NAU to a 35-7 victory on Saturday evening.
Arizona’s offense was as efficient as it was balanced, totaling 520 yards – a nice nod to the Old Pueblo – including 314 yards through the air and 204 yards on the ground. By contrast, the Wildcats’ defense held the Lumberjacks to 193 yards of total offense, including 200 yards and -7 yards on the ground.
“I think anytime you don’t allow any points from your opponent, and you hold them to negative rushing yards, that’s a hell of a day. Plain and simple,” said head coach Brent Brennan after the game.
Fifita completed 22-29 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns to Tre Spivey and Brandon Phelps, finishing with a passer rating on 174.5. On the ground, Kedrick Reescano carried the load for the UA, finishing with 10 carries for 48 yards and pair of scores. Antwan Roberts added another 45 yards and touchdown on four carries.
The UA finished 7-12 on third down and 2-2 on fourth, while also scoring touchdowns on all four trips to the red zone. By contrast, Arizona was 0-10 on third down in 2024’s season opener against NAU and 3-11 a year ago against Hawaii. Brennan says he was pleased with his team’s performance and efficiency on critical downs and distances against the Lumberjacks.
“Some people will tell you that the only calls that matter are third down and red zone calls. Everything else is just call whatever you want. We don’t see it that way, but some people feel that way. I think there was a lot of good execution there.”
“That’s part of Redline. And I think when when Noah is playing at that level, he gives us a real chance, not just with his ability to make good decisions throwing the football, but also with his ability to create with his legs and still throw the ball and run, which makes him a dangerous person on third down.”
The defense was led by linebacker Taye Brown, who finished with a team-high 11 tackles. Chase Kennedy had a team-high 2.5 sacks, while Hutchinson Community College transfer Kevin Moorer Jr. and freshman Dash Fifita each got home for a sack. Arizona’s five sacks were the most since the 2025 season-opener against the Rainbow Warriors.
Arizona took the field first and quickly got to work, with Fifita finding Spivey for a 20-yard touchdown on the Wildcats’ opening drive. Sophomore wide receiver Giovanni Richardson fumbled on the Wildcats’ next possession, but Arizona responded with 22-yard reception by Isaiah Mizell that set up a 21-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Phelps. The UA’s final full-length possession of the half also resulted in finding pay dirt. After a designed run resulting in a touchdown for Fifita was ruled a half yard short, Kedrick Reescano punched his way into the end zone, giving Arizona a 21-0 lead heading into the locker room.
“I think it felt great,” said Reescano postgame following his two-touchdown performance. “Don’t think things were as clean as we wanted, but honestly, like I say all the time, I think I had an easier job out there than my O-line. I think you should be asking them this question. You know what I mean? Like they really scored the touchdown.”
The defensive shutout in the first half was largely due to Chase Kennedy and Noah Fifita, who combined for three sacks through the first 30 minutes. Kennedy’s first sack came on a third down during NAU’s first possession of the game, forcing a punt, while his second, a 15-yard whopper, led to a three-and-out. The Lumberjacks had an opportunity to score on their final drive of the first half, but kicker Francisco Orduno Jr.’s 34-yard field goal attempt was wide right.
The second half slowed down significantly for Arizona and didn’t offer much relief for NAU offensively. The two sides combined for three-straight three and outs, which featured Noah Fifita’s lone sack of the game, as well as a sack by Kevin Moorer Jr. Mid-way through the third quarter, Marshall running back transfer Antwan Roberts exploded out of the backfield on his first carry as a Wildcat for a 14-yard touchdown.
NAU had an opportunity to get deep into Arizona territory and threaten to score on its following possession, but dropped a wide-open pass on fourth down and two.
With under 90 seconds to play in the third quarter, junior safety Quinn Olson came away with his first career interception in his first career start as a Wildcat. The play wasn’t just a turnover sword worthy moment, but set up the drive that led to Kedrick Reescano’s fourth and goal touchdown run and second score of the day.
“Stabbing the sword – that was pretty cool. Hopefully I can do that a few more times,” said Olson after the game.
With a 35-0 lead in hand, Arizona retired Noah Fifita for the night, replacing him with backup quarterback Sawyer Anderson. The sophomore signal caller had a less-than-ideal start to the season, going down for a sack on his first play from scrimmage, before throwing a 36-yard pick six to NAU defensive back Noble Young-Blackgoat to end Arizona’s shutout.
Arizona (1-0) heads to Provo, Utah next week for a Week 2 conference matchup against No. 14 BYU (1-0). The Cougars, which handed the Wildcats a 2OT loss in Tucson last season, defeated Utah Tech 63-7 on Saturday in their season-opener. The game kicks off at 12:30 PM MST on FOX. Conor Onion and former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III will be on the call.