Arizona’s win streak comes to an end after devastating road loss
Arizona Coach Brent Brennan walks towards the sideline during a timeout in the fourth quarter against Kansas State Friday September 13, 2024 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Arizona stormed into Bill Snyder Family Stadium Friday night for a matchup of ranked teams, but quickly received a reality from Kansas State.
After all, Brent Brennan’s Wildcats lost the contest 31-7, which ended their nine-game win streak, and the score could’ve been worse. No. 20 Arizona drew first blood after quarterback Noah Fifita led the offense on a touchdown drive to start the game.
However, after that it was all Kansas State, and the sold out crowd made it hard for Arizona’s offense to communicate. Chris Klieman’s squad responded with 31 unanswered points, and shutout the Wildcats’ for the final three quarters.
Arizona’s performance was a head-scratcher, considering its’ high-flying offense stalled throughout the night. Not to mention the Wildcats’ seven points were their lowest in the past 33 games, which frustrated Brennan at times, and he couldn’t do anything about the noise levels.
“We worked with noise all week, and I thought they handled it well, but I thought the crowd was great, that was a great college football game day atmosphere,” Brennan said. “I think that part of it was exciting, and it was fun to be a part of it, but I need to coach this team better because I wish we could play better and make it more fun.”
It was Brennan’s first loss at the Wildcats’ coach, he was humbled and found out a lot about his team. Fifita tried his best to give the offense a spark, and he showed great chemistry with All-American wideout Tetairoa McMillan. It’s hard to argue against that when Fifita targeted McMillan 14 times throughout the evening.
Kansas State’s defense adjusted on the fly, and forced Fifita to find other options. Besides McMillan and wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig, no other Arizona player caught more than two passes. The Wildcats became one-dimensional, and played from behind for most of the game.
Fifita completed 26 of his 42 passes for 268 yards, but had no touchdowns. He was also picked off and sacked. McMillan was a bright spot for the offense, and he hauled in a game-high, 11 passes for 138 yards. Running back Quali Conley rushed for 48 yards, and scored the Wildcats’ only touchdown of the game.
Kansas State (3-0) didn’t turn the ball over, plus finished with more total offense, plays and first downs than Arizona. It didn’t help that Brennan’s team led in penalties, and generated fewer third down conversions. The game was even in the first quarter though. That all changed after a 71-yard punt return touchdown by Dylan Edwards, which gave Kansas State the lead for good, and shifted the momentum in Brennan’s eyes.
“I think it was a big play, but momentum swings, when they happen that early in the game, there’s always chances to
recapture [momentum],” he said. “In the moments that we were looking like we were going to, we had to deal with
penalties.”
Mental errors were crucial for Arizona (2-1), and stalled several drives. The Wildcats are one of the most penalized teams in the FBS, and until that changes it’s going to be tough to win on the road in Big 12 play. Defensively Arizona couldn’t do much to contain Kansas State’s quarterback Avery Johnson.
He threw for two touchdowns, and rushed for 110 yards on 17 carries. Arizona didn’t really have no answer for Johnson’s dual-threat capabilities, and he made several big plays to Brennan.
“Well, I don’t think we’re the first team to have an issue with an athletic quarterback, but this guy (Johnson) is something different,” the 51-year old coach said. He’s a 10.4 100-meter [dash] guy, he’s unique, and in those moments where we’re trying to keep him in the pocket, his ability to get outside of one person and create a big play was obviously damaging to what we’re trying to get done.”
Defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew led Arizona with eight tackles. Linebacker Jacob Manu added six stops. Defensive lineman Ta’ita’l Uiagalelei recorded the Wildcats’ only sack of the night. Once the smoke cleared it was obvious Arizona’s defense couldn’t do much to stop the bleeding.
Now Brennan has to pick up the pieces and go back to the drawing board. The No. 20 Wildcats have next week off, which should give them time to correct all of their mistakes before approaching Big 12 play. This game was a measuring stick for Brennan’s club, and now he understands what needs to be done to get Arizona ready for what should be a challenging Big 12 slate.
