Tempe, Ariz. Arizona closed the book on its regular season with a statement performance, overpowering rival Arizona State 23–7 on Friday night behind a sharp outing from quarterback Noah Fifita and a defense that looked nothing like last year’s unit.
Fifita threw for 286 yards and a score, while the Wildcats’ defense forced five turnovers and held the Sun Devils to just 214 total yards, crushing ASU’s faint hopes of returning to the Big 12 Championship Game.
“This team has proved people wrong all season,” head coach Brent Brennan said. “I couldn’t be more proud. Look at where we are now.”
Defense Defines the Night
Arizona (9–3, 6–3 Big 12, No. 25 CFP) leaned heavily on its retooled defense, which smothered ASU from the opening whistle. The Sun Devils (8–4, 6–3, No. 20 CFP) managed only one noteworthy drive in the first half — a 90-yard march capped by Jeff Sims’ 27-yard touchdown run — but otherwise found themselves overwhelmed by Arizona’s pressure.
Sims, making his fourth start in place of injured Sam Leavitt, struggled mightily. He threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles, including a mishandled exchange at his own 6-yard line to open the third quarter. Arizona capitalized immediately with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Cameron Barmore, launching a 20–0 Wildcats run that effectively buried the Sun Devils.
Sims finished 11 of 25 for 114 yards.
“Jeff has done a great job for us this year,” ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said. “I hurt for him tonight — he’s an incredible person.”
Arizona Overcomes Its Own Misfires
The Wildcats weren’t perfect either. They came up empty on several early scoring chances: a fumble inside the ASU 10, a 42-yard missed field goal, and another kick from the same distance that was blocked. Even an interception that set them up at the ASU 37 resulted in a three-and-out.
But just before halftime, Michael Salgado-Medina drilled a 37-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7–3, helping Arizona settle in offensively. He later added two more field goals in the second half, rebounding from his earlier miscues.
Running back Kedrick Reescano sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run inside the final two minutes, and Dalton Johnson’s interception near midfield iced Arizona’s fifth straight victory.
“You talk about starting fast, but you have to finish strong,” Johnson said. “Tonight, we did both.”
A Season Rewritten
Only a year removed from a 4–8 campaign in Brennan’s debut season, Arizona’s nine-win turnaround is one of the program’s most impressive in decades. The Wildcats’ defense, once a glaring weakness, has risen into the national top 25 in multiple statistical categories.
Arizona State, meanwhile, ends the regular season on a sour note. A year after dominating this rivalry game 49–7, the Sun Devils found themselves outmatched from start to finish.
“We couldn’t get out of our own way,” ASU tight end Chamon Metayer said. “By the time we settled in, the game was gone.”
Next Up:
Arizona: Headed to a bowl game for the second time in three seasons.
Arizona State: Will likely land in a lower-tier bowl following last year’s CFP appearance.
