5 takeaways from Arizona football’s season-opening victory over NAU | Michael Lev

Arizona opened its season with a 35 to 7 victory over Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, giving Wildcats fans an encouraging first look at a team that will face a much tougher test against BYU in Week 2. The score was not technically a shutout, because NAU returned a late interception for a touchdown, but Arizona’s defense did not allow an offensive point. That distinction mattered less to the Wildcats than the overall result, particularly for a defense replacing five defensive backs who went on to the NFL.

Three of those former Arizona defensive backs returned Saturday night as honorary captains, while the current secondary began the process of proving it can follow one of the best units in the program’s recent history. Safety Quinn Olson, making his first career start, intercepted a pass for the first time in his college career. The pick came late in the third quarter and helped cap a performance in which Arizona held NAU to 193 total yards and minus 7 net rushing yards. The Wildcats also recorded 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. Arizona had not held an opponent scoreless since 2013, though the late pick six kept this game from entering the record book as a shutout.

Noah Fifita’s statistical line was solid rather than spectacular, with the veteran quarterback completing 22 of 29 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. His decision making, however, was the most encouraging part of his night. With five years of college experience and two seasons in the same offensive system, Fifita recognized pressure, found escape routes and used running backs as checkdown options when necessary. On Arizona’s second possession, he escaped a pass rusher and found Quincy Craig for a 9 yard gain in the left flat, creating an easy conversion instead of forcing a riskier throw.

Fifita’s best decision came on a 21 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Phelps in the second quarter. After rolling to his left, Fifita had enough room to run and may have reached the line to gain. Instead, he noticed Phelps breaking open at the back of the end zone and delivered the ball in a spot where the receiver could catch it just inside the end line. Coach Brent Brennan said Arizona holds Fifita to exceptionally high standards, while also noting that the quarterback holds himself to those standards. Against BYU, Fifita will have less time and space, but his calm and efficient opening performance gives Arizona a trusted leader for the challenge.

The strongest portion of the defensive effort came from the front six. Arizona regularly rotated its defensive linemen and blitzed often, creating a difficult night for NAU quarterback Ty Pennington. Linebacker Taye Brown led the way with 11 tackles and a pass breakup, while Chase Kennedy produced a career high 2.5 sacks. Cooper Blomstrom, making his Arizona debut after being brought in to replace Riley Wilson, added eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

The defensive line also offered several signs of progress. Zac Siulepa, a 6 foot 6, 367 pound junior college transfer, drew a holding penalty and powered through the line for a memorable bull rush. Siulepa was too heavy to play a regular role last season, but his offseason conditioning appears to have created a needed interior presence. Kevin Moorer Jr., another junior college transfer, brings a quicker style as a smaller 3 technique tackle. He finished with four tackles and a tackle for loss. Freshman Dash Fifita, Noah’s younger brother, also made his first career sack after using a spin move to get to the quarterback.

The secondary looked less settled early. Pennington completed his first eight passes, and Arizona missed tackles in space while trying to replace last year’s accomplished defensive backs. Pennington made several difficult throws under pressure to receivers who were well covered, but the Wildcats improved as the game continued. Pennington and backup Donivan Dixon combined to complete 19 of 31 passes, meaning they completed only 11 of their final 23 attempts. Arizona was credited with 10 missed tackles in initial Pro Football Focus charting, a number that was not considered unusually high, especially since the Wildcats did not use live tackling during training camp.

Arizona did a reasonably good job limiting yards after the catch, allowing 78 of NAU’s 200 passing yards to come after receptions. The Wildcats gained 179 of their 314 passing yards through yards after the catch. One unusual exception was a hook and lateral that began as a 4 yard completion and became a 33 yard gain. The play was well timed and executed, making it difficult to blame Arizona for failing to anticipate it. The performance also provided a reminder that last year’s secondary had its own rough stretches before developing into an elite group. The current players will need similar time and experience.

The fourth quarter supplied valuable lessons for Arizona’s younger players, particularly Sawyer Anderson. The second year quarterback entered for the final three drives, was sacked on his first play and then threw an ill advised screen that NAU’s Noble Young Blackgoat intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Brennan and offensive coordinator Seth Doege kept Anderson in the game. He responded by leading a drive into the red zone, displaying a strong arm and athleticism, although the possession ended when Antwan Roberts fumbled. Anderson then directed a 51 yard final drive that ended when time expired. Freshman receiver R.J. Mosley made a diving catch, and Wesley Yarbrough contributed several hard runs.

Arizona also saw resilience from Giovanni Richardson, who lost a fumble in the first quarter but finished with career highs of eight catches and 96 yards. The mistakes were real, but so were the responses, which is why Brennan described the late game action as valuable live experience. The Wildcats now turn toward BYU, carrying a clean defensive foundation, a veteran quarterback and plenty of corrections from an opening night that showed both the promise and unfinished work of a new season.