Arizona Defeats NAU Setting Up Marquee Matchup vs BYU

· Yahoo Sports

Sep 5, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Noah Fifita (1) during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona football is back. The Wildcats took down NAU in their week 1 matchup 35-7. The defense was stout allowing zero points from NAU’s offense. Northern Arizona got seven points from a pick-six off of the Wildcats’ backup quarterback. Seth Doege’s offense was sharp in the first half but slowed down in the second half.

Brent Brennan’s group won the program’s 5th straight season opener to make it to their ranked matchup with Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars healthy and undefeated.

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Noah Fifita’s Performance

The Wildcats’ Heisman hopeful Noah Fifita played lights out again in this one. Fifita was 22 for 29 passing, threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Fifita had his first of many lasts this week as he played in his last home opener in Tucson.

“Noah Fifita is such a good player…Nothing he does surprises us.” said head coach Brent Brennan after the win in his post game press-conference.

Fifita will need to be sharp again next week against BYU but if he performs at his usual level, Heisman hopeful could turn to Heisman dark horse.

Sep 5, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona Defense Shutdown NAU

The Wildcats’ defense was lockdown tonight, especially considering the amount of turnover from last season in the secondary. This game showed the defense has the building blocks for another high quality season.

Gonzales’ defense was led by Taye Brown who had 11 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Cooper Blomstrom was also impressive tallying eight total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Saftey Quinn Olson had a moment in this game as well, forcing a turnover with his first career interception. It was also Olson’s first game since becoming a scholarship player. Olson received his scholarship in a touching video posted to Arizona football’s social media page this past week.

Linebacker Chase Kennedy had 2.5 sacks against NAU. Kennedy had four sacks all of 2025, two sacks in 2024 and had limited appearances his time at Utah.

The Wildcats defense was known for their turnover margin last season but tonight lost the turnover battle three-to-one. Two fumbles from the Wildcats offense and an interception thrown by backup quarterback Sawyer Anderson. The Arizona defense was unable to force NAU into turnovers outside of Olson’s interception.

Winning the turnover battle will likely be key against BYU if they want to come out on top.

Arizona did show improvement in the rushing defense department as the Lumberjacks put up -7 rushing yards over the four quarters.

Hard to complain about a defensive performance like that.

The Cats Take On BYU In Provo

Casino Del Sol saw an electric first half and a less exciting second half but it will surely be exciting from start to finish in Provo, Utah when Arizona faces BYU in a week 2 showdown. A Big 12 matchup with title implications against #14 ranked BYU.

For more on the Arizona vs BYU matchup and all your Arizona Wildcats coverage watch the AZ Wildcats Podcast.

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