Arizona Wildcats Suffer Defeat Against Kansas State

The Arizona Wildcats faced a significant challenge in their matchup against the Kansas State Wildcats on Friday Night, marking their first major test under head coach Brent Brennan. This encounter, while not impacting league standings, did emphasize Arizona’s capabilities within the Big 12. Despite a promising start by scoring on their first possession, Arizona was ultimately defeated 31-7 by the 14th-ranked Kansas State, bringing an end to a nine-game winning streak that was the longest active streak in FBS.

The game was dominated by Kansas State, who solidly claimed victory at home. Central to their success was quarterback Avery Johnson, who presented significant difficulty for Arizona. Johnson not only threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns but also ran for 110 yards, contributing greatly to Kansas State’s 235 rushing yards, the most Arizona has allowed since 2022.

Arizona, ranked 20th, managed to accumulate 324 total offensive yards, the least they have recorded in over two years. Noah Fifita threw for 268 of those yards on 26-of-42 passing attempts, but Arizona struggled to find the end zone. Notably, Tetairoa McMillan tied his career high with 11 catches for 138 yards, while Montana Lemonious-Craig added 75 yards on six catches. However, Arizona’s rushing attack faltered following their opening drive, managing just 56 rushing yards for the game.

Penalties plagued the Wildcats throughout the game, with nine infractions in total, some of which thwarted offensive progress or extended defensive drives for Kansas State. Special teams also had a challenging night, allowing a punt return touchdown that contributed to their deficit.

By halftime, Arizona trailed 14-7, and Kansas State extended their lead to 28-7 by the end of the third quarter, capitalizing on costly errors by Arizona. Kansas State’s Brayden Loftin and DJ Giddens both scored touchdowns in the second half, capitalizing on strategic plays and Arizona’s defensive penalties. Arizona’s attempts to recover faltered as their subsequent drives ended in turnovers on downs, recording only 137 yards in the second half.

Despite this loss, Arizona’s season opener in the Big 12 looms on September 21 against the 12th-ranked Utah, offering an opportunity for redemption following a week off to regroup.