As bad as Arizona’s Big-12 conference record is at 2-6, after their 49-28 loss against TCU this past weekend they’re still ahead of Utah who at 1-7 is just one step off the bottom spot held by 0-8 Oklahoma State. After throwing an interception to TCU on the first play of the game, only 17 yards outside of their own red zone, the Wildcats set the tone for what would happen the rest of the way. Going up 7-0 five plays later the Horned Frogs would lead this one from start to finish with Arizona only getting close once momentarily on a Tyler Loop 43 yard field goal to make it a one point game at 14-13 with two minutes left in the first half. But just before the break TCU would find the end zone again to go up 21-13 at the half.
Getting the ball to start the 3rd Qtr, the Horned Frogs would score four TD’s in a row while holding Arizona scoreless on three-out-of-four possessions to take a 49-21 lead. After holding the Wildcats to a three-and-out on their next possession it looked as though TCU was going to add another seven points to the scoreboard. But sitting just ten yards outside the red zone on 3rd and 10 they would fumble the ball and Wildcat Sophomore LB Sterling Lane II would take it 70 yards back to the house to make it a 49-28 game with just a minute left where it would stay.
In spite of the Wildcats’ defense recording three sacks, eight tackles for loss, and two pass disruptions they completely failed at keeping TCU’s running game out of the end zone. Rushing 24 times for 155 yards the Horned Frogs Senior WR Savion Williams, Junior RB Trent Battle, Freshman RB Jeremy Payne, and Sophomore RB Cam Cook combined for six TD’s with Williams and Battle picking up two each. Sophomore QB Josh Hoover connected on 19-of-26 for 1 TD to Senior WR JP Richardson while throwing multiple times to six different receivers for 303 yards. Arizona’s Sophomore QB Noah Fifita was 29-of-44 for 2 TD’s—both to Sophomore WR Chris Hunter—and 1 interception with Senior RB Quali Conley rushing 13 times for 42 yards. With an overall record of 4-7, Arizona’s upcoming game against their in-state rival Sun Devils will be their last of the year regardless of the outcome.