Starters, key matchups and a prediction for Arizona vs. NAU

Arizona football fans in Tucson get their first look at the 2026 Wildcats on Saturday night, when the team opens the season against Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The game begins the third season of coach Brent Brennan’s tenure and the final season for quarterback Noah Fifita, giving the opener significance beyond the usual early season evaluation. The matchup also brings a familiar in state opponent to town, with several Arizona starters coming from the Phoenix area and Chandler native Taye Brown taking on an important leadership role in the defense.

Fifita returns as Arizona’s starting quarterback after a productive 2025 season and will make his final season opening appearance for the Wildcats. His leading wide receiver targets are expected to be Tre Spivey, Giovanni Richardson and Chris Hunter. Arizona may use a much wider rotation at receiver, potentially involving more than eight players, and second year receiver Isaiah Mizell was among the team’s most improved offensive players during the offseason. The Wildcats are also counting on a deeper running back group after an inconsistent rushing attack last year.

Kedrick Reescano is expected to make his second start for Arizona since joining the program in 2024. He led the Wildcats with nine rushing touchdowns last season, the highest total by an Arizona running back since Zach Green scored nine in 2017. Seven of Reescano’s touchdowns came from inside the red zone, and he scored in seven of the 10 games in which he appeared. His first college touchdown came on a 56 yard run against Northern Arizona in 2024, and his ability to create another explosive play will be one of the most recognizable storylines in the opener.

Arizona’s projected offensive group includes tight end Jeter Purdy, tackles Camden Jury and Matthew Lado, guards Brady Bakke and Alexander Doost, and center Corey Johnson. Spivey is listed among the starters at receiver, while Reescano is the projected running back. Doost, Spivey, wide receiver Richardson, Lado and defensive end Tre Smith are all Phoenix area products, adding a strong in state connection to the lineup. The Wildcats will need that offensive front to establish enough consistency for Fifita and the running backs to operate without facing constant pressure.

Brown is entering his third season as Arizona’s Mike linebacker and finished second on the team in tackles last year. He will be responsible for receiving coach to player communication during the game and will wear a specialized helmet featuring a green decal. The Wildcats’ listed defensive starters include Jordan Pigram at defensive end, Braeden Kaczmarek at nose tackle, Jackson Murray at defensive tackle, and Jaiden Letua alongside Brown at linebacker. The secondary features nickel back Deliyon Freeman, cornerbacks Michael Beresford and Jahaad Fort, safety Braylon Singleton and free safety Shoes Brinkley.

Brinkley’s path to the Arizona game has included stops at Delaware, East Los Angeles College and McNeese State. The Philadelphia native began his high school career at Northeast High School before finishing at Mater Dei in Southern California, where he led the nationally prominent program in tackles and interceptions. He made his NAU debut last week and recorded a team high nine tackles, making him a player Arizona will need to account for around the ball.

Northern Arizona enters the game after a comeback victory over Eastern Washington. Quarterback Ty Pennington completed 15 of 27 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while adding 61 yards on the ground. Over more than two seasons at NAU, Pennington has accumulated 5,598 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and seven interceptions, along with 691 rushing yards and nine rushing scores. Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales described him as “a savage,” and Pennington’s mobility could challenge the Wildcats when plays break down.

NAU also presents a balanced rushing threat. Quran Gossett carried 21 times for 103 yards and a touchdown last week, while the Lumberjacks as a team produced 201 rushing yards. Pennington has generally avoided costly mistakes, with only eight career interceptions since beginning his college career at Pittsburg State. If NAU can remain efficient on third and short, protect the football and keep Arizona from creating early separation, the Lumberjacks could stay competitive despite entering as a significant underdog.

A simulation using EA Sports’ College Football 27 projected Arizona to win 30 to 10, while also suggesting NAU could cover a spread of roughly 30 to 32 points. In the simulated game, Arizona opened with a safety created by a blitz from safety Gavin Hunter, who finished with nine tackles. Fifita completed 24 of 32 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns, throwing scoring passes to Spivey and Illinois transfer tight end Cole Rusk. The simulation had Arizona averaging six yards per play and extending its recent fourth quarter defensive success by shutting out NAU in the final period. Tucson listeners can follow the game on 1290 AM, 107.5 FM, 92.5 FM in Spanish, or the NAU broadcast at 1490 AM.