Arizona dominates West Virginia 52-31 despite missing top 3 receivers with injuries

Arizona returned to Tucson with a 52-31 victory over West Virginia on Saturday, continuing a four-game winning streak despite entering the game without its top three wide receivers. The Wildcats showed that their offense had enough depth to overwhelm a struggling Mountaineers defense, while a defensive touchdown and several West Virginia mistakes helped Arizona pull away. The victory moved Arizona to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play, giving the program its best six-game start since 2014.

The Wildcats were forced to adjust after all three of their leading receivers were injured during the previous week’s win over Cincinnati. Instead of limiting quarterback Noah Fifita, the absences created an opening for sophomore Isaiah Mizell. He responded with the biggest performance of his career, catching six passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Mizell had entered the game with 176 receiving yards for the entire season, then more than doubled that total against a West Virginia secondary that repeatedly struggled in coverage.

Fifita completed 16 of 23 passes for a season-high 341 yards and threw three touchdown passes. Two went to Mizell, including a 14-yard score in the first quarter and a 72-yard catch and run in the third. Mizell’s other major play was a 48-yard reception that placed Arizona near the goal line and set up Kedrick Reescano’s 8-yard touchdown run. The performance gave Fifita a reliable target and helped the Wildcats maintain their offensive production despite the injuries.

Arizona’s first major defensive play also changed the game. West Virginia running back Cam Cook, who finished with 141 yards, could not control an option pitch. Lee Molette III recovered the loose ball and ran 32 yards for a touchdown, putting the Wildcats ahead 14-3. Cook still produced two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 30 yards, but his fumble was one of several costly West Virginia errors that prevented the Mountaineers from turning strong stretches of offense into a sustained challenge.

Arizona also received touchdown runs from Antwan Roberts and Quincy Craig, along with Reescano’s score. In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats added another explosive pass when Fifita connected with Brandon Phelps for a 42-yard touchdown on a trick play. The variety of Arizona’s scoring, including long receptions, rushing plays, a fumble return and the trick-play pass, kept West Virginia from settling into a defensive rhythm.

West Virginia had opportunities to keep the game close, particularly in the first half, but repeatedly failed to finish drives. The Mountaineers missed a short field-goal opportunity, lost a fumble at the Arizona 2-yard line and turned the ball over on downs at the Arizona 3. After that final stop, Fifita was hit while throwing and was intercepted by West Virginia’s David Afogho. The Mountaineers capitalized immediately, with quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr. running for a 3-yard touchdown, but the missed chances had already left Arizona with control of the game.

The result was especially damaging for a West Virginia defense that had already been heavily criticized after surrendering an average of 593 yards in losses to Oklahoma State and Iowa State. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley had described the unit as the worst in college football, and the problems continued against Arizona. The Mountaineers committed several pass-interference penalties and allowed the Wildcats to win one-on-one matchups, with Mizell’s production providing the clearest example. West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said afterward that the defensive issues had not been corrected and that turnovers on offense further undermined the team’s momentum.

For Arizona coach Brent Brennan, Mizell’s performance validated the receiver’s preparation while offering encouragement about the Wildcats’ depth. Brennan praised Mizell after the game and said he had been ready when his opportunity arrived. Arizona’s success also carried a historical connection for Rodriguez, who previously coached the Wildcats before being fired after the 2018 season. He had earlier led West Virginia from 2001 through 2007, compiling a 60-26 record before returning to the Mountaineers for a second stint a year ago.

Arizona’s win extended West Virginia’s losing streak to three games and dropped the Mountaineers to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big 12. For the Wildcats, the immediate takeaway is that injuries to their top receivers did not stop the offense from producing its most points in the game. Fifita, Mizell and Arizona’s running game supplied enough big plays to turn a difficult road matchup into a convincing victory, keeping the Wildcats positioned for a strong season as Big 12 play continues.