TUCSON — No. 23 Arizona went toe-to-toe with second-ranked Utah, but the Utes’ running game was too much in a 40-39 Wildcats loss Saturday night at Casino Del Sol Stadium, Arizona Sports reported.
The game featured seven lead changes. Utah ran for 296 yards and three touchdowns, the third-most rushing yards Arizona has allowed this season. Running back Daniel Bray had 197 yards and a score, and quarterback Devon Dampier ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
“I think tonight we showed we could play with anyone in the country,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “We went toe to toe with the No. 2 team in the country.”
Arizona’s defense forced two second-half turnovers from Dampier. Mays Pese recovered a fumble on the first play of the third quarter, setting up Isaiah Mizell’s 6-yard touchdown catch, his fifth straight game with a touchdown. Later, Jay’Vion Cole made a touchdown-saving interception at the 1-yard line.
“It was crazy,” Cole said. “(He) wasn’t supposed to be open. It was blown coverage.”
Quarterback Noah Fifita completed 27 of 43 passes for 356 yards and a touchdown, extending his streak to 20 straight games with a touchdown pass.
Brennan pointed to missed tackles and a talented opponent for the rushing numbers. The kickoff had been moved because of the FAA ground stop that disrupted team travel nationwide Friday.
Sources: Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Msr69er / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
