Arizona is going bowling for the second consecutive season and is a true contender for a spot in the Big 12 Championship after a 39-3 blowout over Iowa State. The Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) extended their winning streak at “Casino Del Sol Stadium” and have now won five straight games.
Here are the grades for the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching from the win over the Cyclones:
Offense: A-
A late arriving crowd missed out on an electric start to the game. Two plays in, Noah Fifita and Isaiah picked up right where they left off in Morgantown with a 71 yard touchdown.
Brennan and Seth Doege kept their receipts from last season’s matchup when Iowa State went for two on the opening possession. Arizona converted a two-point attempt after the Mizell touchdown with a tight end connection between Henry Gabalis and Tyler Powell.
Being helped out by penalties to start the drive, the Wildcats marched down the field to extend their lead. A 15 yard catch and run by Quincy Craig, 12 and 14 yard runs by Antwan Roberts Jr. and Kedrick Reescano, and a six yard drive capper run from Craig put Arizona ahead by 15.
The third drive stalled out inside Iowa State territory but the offense still did enough to get a successful field goal attempt from the drive.
Fifita nearly took it to the house on a 17 yard run but was stopped by the ref and Matthew Lado. From there it was small cuts from the offense to march down the field and Reescano ran it in from five yards out.
Right before halftime, Arizona had a chance to put points on the board after a 19 yard run by Craig. However, the field goal attempt was not good and the Wildcats could not add onto its lead.
The first drive out of the half was close to being a three and out before a roughing the punter penalty extended the drive. Arizona went on to stall out around mid-field. The next drive was a three and out as the offense cooled off in the third quarter.
The punting trend continued for the Wildcats in the second half and it seemed like it had gotten to the “run out the clock” point in the game. Arizona finally rediscovered the end zone as Fifita found Gabalis on a wheel route from 40 yards out for his first career catch and touchdown.
The Arizona reserves even started to get in on the fun as Sawyer Anderson had two passes of 11 yards each to Jordan Ross and DJ Jordan. Anderson then ran it in for his first career touchdown from four yards out.
Arizona finished with 477 total yards of offense with 336 yards through the air and 141 on the ground. Fifita finished 27-34 for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Craig led the way on the ground with 51 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.
Mizell’s hot streak continued with a 134 yards game on eight catches and a touchdown. The Wildcats were 7-14 on third down and had 24 first downs. Outside of the third quarter, the offense was able to score at will.
There are still slight issues with ball security, Arizona fumbled twice but did not lose any. The run game continues to have strong performances but explosiveness on a consistent basis is still up in the air.
Defense: A
The defense followed the offense’s lead with a strong start and forced a three and out on the first drive. The second drive was a bend don’t break moment, as Iowa State was able to get inside Arizona’s 15 yard line.
A Malcolm Hartzog and Dominic Lolesio sack forced the Cyclones into a field goal. It was back to back bend don’t break moments for the defense as Cam Chapa stopped Iowa State short of the line to gain on fourth down.
Arizona got its first turnover of the night after Chase Kennedy forced a sack fumble and Tyrese Boss recovered. The Wildcats’ defense held the Cyclones out of the end zone in the first half.
Even with a change at quarterback for Iowa State, the Arizona defense continued its strong performance with a punt out of the half. Lolesio nearly had a pick-six off a deflected pass but could not come down with the ball, Arizona still forced a punt.
On the following drive, Dash Fifita got to the Cyclones quarterback and that pretty much killed the drive for Iowa State. Punting seemed to be the theme of the second half as the Wildcats’ defense continued to stifle the Cyclones.
Fifita continued his strong night with a tackle for loss and a sack to force a failed fourth down attempt by Iowa State. While Arizona did not keep Iowa State off the scoreboard entirely, keeping it out of the end zone is the next best thing.
The Wildcats held the Cyclones to just 221 total yards with 169 through the air and 52 on the ground. Iowa State was 3-14 on third down and 1-3 on fourth down.
Arizona had four sacks and five tackles for loss. Fifita led the way with six total tackles, two sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss. Overall, it was another dominant defensive performance at home for Danny Gonzales’ group.
Special teams: C+
A 53 yard field goal got Michael Salgado-Medina’s day started. His second attempt at the end of the first half from 31 yards went wide right.
Chase Ridley had three punts that averaged 46 yards with a long of 57 yards. He had two punts that went inside the 20 yard line. There was no real opportunity for the special teams to contribute in the game but moving forward Salgado-Medina needs to hit the “easy” ones.
Gabalis’ two-point conversion pass to Powell was the best play by the special teams unit tonight.
Coaching: A
Coming out of the bye week can sometimes be a tricky situation for some teams. That was not the case for Brennan’s squad. It came out with its hair on fire and wanted to leave no doubt.
From the two play opening drive, to the two-point conversion, to a quick three and out for the defense, Arizona took control of the game early. Gonzales’ squad held Aiden Flora, one of the best backs in the conference, to just 36 rushing yards.
Compared to last season’s matchup, it felt like the roles were reversed this season. The Wildcats were the more physically dominant team from the start and it never wavered. It felt like Arizona just imposed its will on the Cyclones and wanted to give no hope.
After the 10-0 start against Northern Illinois, who would’ve thought Arizona could be in the position it’s in now. This all comes down to coaching.
The players believe in every message the coaches are sending to them. There is full belief and execution in the game plan and it never seems like the Wildcats are phased when things don’t go their way.
Arizona continues to have a faceless opponent mindset and is not looking ahead to any opponent. With bowl eligibility secured, the next steps in what the Wildcats hope to accomplish are in their eye sights and it starts at Texas Tech.