Nov 15, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws the ball through the first quarter in opposition to the Houston Cougars at Arizona Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Photographs Arizona’s Noah Fifita handed for 2 touchdowns, Tyler Loop kicked a school-record 62-yard subject purpose and the Wildcats snapped a five-game dropping streak with a 27-3 victory over Houston on Friday evening in Tucson, Ariz.
Fifita accomplished 20 of 35 passes for 224 yards for the Wildcats (4-6, 2-5 Massive 12), who by no means trailed and went up 27-3 on Quali Conley’s 50-yard landing run late within the third quarter. Conley had scored on a 13-yard reception earlier within the quarter.
Houston (4-6, 3-4), which entered the sport third-to-last nationally in scoring (15.2 factors per sport), dedicated three turnovers and turned the ball over on downs 4 instances, together with on fourth-and-goal from the 1 within the second quarter and on a faux punt close to midfield within the third quarter.
Loop ended the primary half along with his 62-yard subject purpose, breaking the Arizona document of 57, held by 4 gamers. Loop added a 51-yard subject purpose within the third quarter.
Conley completed with 107 yards on 11 carries. Tetairoa McMillan caught six passes for 70 yards and a landing. Arizona security Genesis Smith had an interception and a fumble restoration to go together with seven tackles, 1.5 for loss.
Houston, which had gained three of its earlier 4 video games, failed to achieve double-digit factors for the fourth time this season. The Cougars’ closing scoring likelihood was thwarted on a fumble contained in the Arizona 10 with 4:27 to go.
Cougars quarterback Zeon Chriss accomplished 16 of 27 passes for 191 yards with an interception. He additionally rushed for 55 yards on 18 carries.
The Wildcats struck first on a 33-yard landing cross to McMillan halfway via the primary quarter as Fifita scrambled to his left and heaved a cross to the again of the top zone. Arizona preserved the lead early within the second quarter by breaking apart a cross on fourth-and-goal from the 1.
Arizona squandered an opportunity with about 4 minutes to go earlier than half when holder Michael Salgado-Medina dropped the snap on a 28-yard field-goal try.
Houston’s Jack Martin kicked a 49-yard subject purpose to make it 7-3 with 42 seconds to go earlier than halftime earlier than the Wildcats moved into place for Loop’s 62-yarder. He’s 5 of seven this season on subject objectives of 50-plus yards.
–Discipline Degree Media
