‘It’s about us’: Arizona looks to bounce back in ‘redline game’ against NIU

Arizona returns to Tucson this weekend carrying the frustration of a missed opportunity at BYU, and the Wildcats are asking their home crowd to help turn that disappointment into a response. Arizona hosts Northern Illinois at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with the game airing on TNT. Coach Brent Brennan has labeled it a “Redline game,” a test of how the team reacts after losing a winnable conference opener and a challenge to Tucson fans to create the kind of home field advantage Arizona experienced in Provo.

The Wildcats are 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play after falling 28-17 to No. 15 BYU. Arizona led or remained within striking distance for most of the game, but its offense stalled after halftime, offensive line penalties created difficult down and distance situations, and the defense surrendered a late touchdown that made the game a two possession contest with a little more than six minutes left. BYU then stopped Arizona on a fourth down in the final quarter, ending the Wildcats’ hopes of taking the lead.

Arizona’s coaches and players described the loss as painful precisely because the Wildcats believed they had a chance to win. Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said the final eight minutes determined the result, while offensive coordinator Seth Doege said the tears seen from players including quarterback Noah Fifita, running back Kedrick Reescano, wide receiver Chris Hunter and offensive lineman Rhino Tapa’atoutai reflected anger rather than self pity. The players understood that they had let go of an opportunity against a ranked conference opponent that had won 13 of its previous 14 home games since 2024.

Brennan accepted responsibility for the failure to finish. He said Arizona played physically, ran effectively against a strong BYU defense and competed for most of the afternoon, but did not execute well enough in the fourth quarter on either side of the ball. Fifita delivered a similar assessment, taking responsibility for inconsistent second half play, missed decisions and throws. He also said Arizona’s pre snap penalties were partly connected to communication problems in a loud environment, an issue the Wildcats must correct before their next conference road test.

The fourth down decisions at BYU will remain part of the conversation, but Brennan explained the thinking behind both calls. On the first, he wanted to give the defense another chance to force a short field after Arizona had pinned BYU near its own goal line. On the second, Arizona had moved into position after a long scramble and completion to Cole Rusk, and Brennan believed the team needed a touchdown to seize momentum and take the lead. BYU made the stop near the line to gain. Brennan said he was willing to live with the aggressive choice, while also acknowledging that Arizona did not execute afterward at the level required.

Northern Illinois arrives with a 0-2 record, having been shut out 40-0 by Iowa and then losing at home to Illinois State, the runner up in the previous FCS national championship. That record makes Arizona a heavy favorite, reportedly by five touchdowns, but the Wildcats are not treating the game as automatic. Northern Illinois upset then No. 5 Notre Dame, 16-14, in South Bend in 2024, a result that demonstrated the danger of overlooking an opponent. The Huskies also are beginning a new era after former coach Thomas Hammock left in February to become the Seattle Seahawks’ running backs coach. Defensive coordinator Rob Harley is serving as interim coach during Northern Illinois’ first season in the Mountain West.

Arizona’s immediate focus is its own performance, not Northern Illinois’ struggles. Brennan said the Wildcats had an excellent week of practice and attacked the process of correcting the issues exposed at BYU. Gonzales warned that being better on paper will mean nothing once the ball is kicked off. The team must avoid disrespecting the game, he said, or risk allowing Northern Illinois to produce the kind of upset that has defined college football’s most surprising outcomes.

The Wildcats also could have important reinforcements and adjustments available. Running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris have regained eligibility, and Brennan said their roles would be shaped by practice. Mahdi joins a deep running back group featuring Reescano, Quincy, Wesley and Antwan, while Harris brings energy and experience to the defense. Brennan emphasized that both players are valued not only for their ability but also for the way teammates respond to them. Arizona will also monitor the status of wide receiver Giovanni Richardson, who has a lower extremity injury and is expected to be out for a period of time. Rodney Gallagher, Brandon Phelps and freshman Caleb Smith could receive expanded opportunities, while Brennan said he wants the offense to involve Tre Spivey and Chris Hunter more consistently.

For Tucson, the game is also an early opportunity to shape the atmosphere Brennan wants around Arizona football. After seeing the impact of BYU’s crowd, he challenged students, alumni and fans to make Casino Del Sol Stadium one of the Big 12’s most difficult venues for visiting teams. The red clothing theme gives the “Redline” label a visible connection to the stands, but Brennan’s larger message is about collective investment in the program. Arizona has nine conference games remaining after the loss at BYU, according to Fifita, and the quarterback said the Wildcats’ ambitions have not changed. Saturday night will show whether the disappointment in Provo becomes a setback or the beginning of a more determined stretch for a team that insists its next opportunity is about itself.