In the days leading up to Saturday’s game between Arizona and Iowa State, there was growing optimism that the Wildcats could hang with the reigning Big 12 runners-up. Defensive back Jeremiah Cooper, one of the Cyclones best players, was ruled out with a knee, helping the Arizona betting line move from +7.5 to +3.5 ahead of kickoff. But it was nothing more than fools gold, as the UA was handed its first loss of the season, falling in a game that was never close. Here are our five takeaways and reactions from the Arizona Wildcats’ 39-14 loss at No. 14 Iowa State.
1) Does Seth Doege’s offense have an identity crisis?
Through spring ball and fall camp, Seth Doege described his offensive scheme as flexible. Against effective run defenses, the Wildcats could air it out, and against lock-down passing defenses, the Wildcats could pound it on the ground. Through four games, Arizona has effectively moved the ball, both through the air and on the ground, but doesn’t seem to quite have an identity yet. It’s one thing to be flexible, but it’s another to be unsure of the product every time the Wildcats take the field.
As opposed to balanced attack that blends the passing game and rushing attack, it appears to be an all or nothing approach from week-to-week. For example, Arizona heavily favored the passing game in the win over Weber State, throwing for over 400 yards. Against Kansas State the following week, Seth Doege’s squad rushed for over 200 yards.
While Danny Gonzales’ defense may have given up more yards and points last night than any other games this season, but one thing is indisputable – Arizona’s defense is violent. Up 40 or down 20, they swarm to the ball, wrap up ball carriers and receivers, and are constantly hunting for takeaways opportunites.
The Wildcats had a more balanced game plan in Ames, throwing for 253 yards and rushing for 107 yards, but it wasn’t enough to stay ahead of the chains and move the ball down the field. The Wildcats were just 4-13 on third down and 1-3 on 4th down, with an average of 5.7 yards to go on third down. With the offense’s inability to the move the ball, Iowa State limited Arizona to just three red zone opportunities, while the Cyclones scored on six of their seven chance down low.
If Arizona wants to get back on the track it was on to start the season, Seth Doege needs to utilize a more effective blend of Noah Fifita and his three-headed monster at running back, getting the Wildcats ahead of the chains earlier, and setting up more effective play-action opportunities. If it can do that, Arizona has a chance to be competitive in the Big 12 week in and week out, and compete for a 13th game this season.
2) Noah Fifita’s not there…yet
Noah Fifita appears to be on his way to returning to his 2023 form in year two of the Brent Brennan era under offensive coordinator Seth Doege. But he’s not there yet. Through four games, Fifita has completed 78-126 passing attempts for 965 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding another 54 yards and three scores on the ground. But in Ames on Saturday night, Fifita threw not one, but two interceptions, after avoiding a turnover through the first three games of the season. It was his first multi-interception game since Arizona’s 41-19 loss at BYU last season.
For reference, through four games last season, Fifita was 82-130 passing for 1,060 yards, but had just seven total touchdowns and four interceptions. His completion percentage and yardage are down slightly, but he’s trusting his legs more and more, taking better care of the football, and leveraging a more balanced passing attack that no longer features first-round NFL draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, all things that bode well for Arizona’s offense.
In his defense, this is the third offensive coordinator in as many years for Fifita, so naturally this are going to be weeks that are better than others as he continues to get more and more comfortable in the scheme. With the type of preparation and response Wildcat fans have come to expect from their signal caller, look for Noah Fifita to get back on the wagon at home against a struggling Oklahoma State team.
3) The offensive line has been a pleasant surprise
We spent much of spring ball and fall camp postulating that Arizona’s offensive line would be the weakest link of the Wildcats’ offensive chain. Through four games, that has been far from the truth. As Josh Oglesby and Seth Doege continue to dial in the front five, the group is getting better and stronger with each week. On a night that was mostly forgettable on offense for Arizona, the offensive line gave up just for quarterback hurries and one sack, which came with less than four minutes to go in the game with the score already decided.
The line also helped paved the way for another productive night for running back Ismail Mahdi, who finished with 13 carries for 85 yards.
Right tackle play has still been inconsistent with Tristan Bounds and Rhino Tapa’atoutai split reps, and the left guard spot continues to evolve, with Chubba Maae taking over starting duties for Michael Wooten the last two weeks. There’s also a possibility Georgia Tech transfer Jordan Brown makes his season debut in the coming weeks, adding another piece to the puzzle.
While Arizona’s front five is certainly not the flashiest group that it’s been in recent years, when it featured now-NFL players Jordan Morgan and Jonah Savaiinaea, it has helped keep quarterback Noah Fifita upright, allowing just nine sacks, and clear out plenty of space for the Wildcats’ lethal running back room. As Seth Doege and Co. continue to find their identity and establish continuity of the offensive of the ball, look for them to lean of the offensive line to help pave the way, both on the ground and through the air.
4) Special Teams is not so special right now
This may be a little harsh, but Arizona has one of the worst special teams units in Power Four football right now. Field goals greater than 40 yards are a toss up, the punting operation is rickety, and punt and kickoff returns and coverage are lackluster. Arizona’s special teams stinker against Iowa State is perfectly indicative of how it’s been this season: a 46-yard missed field goal, a swinging gate two-point conversion allowed, a kick-catch interference penalty, and average starting field position for Iowa State at its own 37 yard line.
While Arizona’s offensive inconsistency is a more glaring concern, the Wildcats don’t have this margin of error in the Big 12, especially on the road against the No. 14 team in the nation.
Overall, making the switch at punter from Michael Salgado-Medina to the Australian Isaac Lovison was a step in the right direction, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. Craig Naivar is the guy who can get it done, but the road ahead is long.
5) “Wilbur, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Tucson anymore”
This is the second straight year we have traveled to Big 12 country for an Arizona road game, and both times we have been blown away by the spirit, energy, and game day atmosphere. Whether it’s Manhattan, Kansas or Ames, Iowa, the fans are always rocking, the band is always bumping, and the stadium is always electric.
It’s a humbling reminder that while Arizona fans enjoy Saturdays tailgating on the mall and in Arizona Stadium, it’s a whole other ball game in the midwest.
Iowa State is by far the best tailgating experience we have ever experienced, from miles of popup tents, to lots filled with RVs, to beer and barbecue flowing, the Cyclones take what happens outside of Jack Trice Stadium just as seriously as the product on display inside.