Chase Kennedy collected 2.5 of Arizona’s five sacks as the Wildcats held Northern Arizona to minus-7 net rushing yards. Arizona won 35-7, and its defensive front made sure the Lumberjacks never established an offense that could threaten the lead.
Noah Fifita kept Seth Doege’s offense in rhythm, completing 22 of 29 passes for 262 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Arizona also ran for 206 net yards and three scores; Kedrick Reescano and Antwan Roberts combined for all three rushing touchdowns, and Reescano credited the offensive line for moving defenders.
Brent Brennan emphasized Arizona’s physicality afterward, along with Fifita’s efficiency and the effective running game. That matters this week because BYU has already shown Arizona exactly how much physical control it will demand.
The rematch runs through Martin and Bachmeier
Arizona led BYU 24-14 with a little more than 11 minutes remaining last season. Bear Bachmeier eventually tied the game on a two-yard run with 19 seconds left, then scored from seven yards out in the second overtime to give the Cougars a 33-27 win.
The comeback grew from a punishing ground game. BYU rushed for 258 yards, with LJ Martin setting a career high at 162 and Bachmeier adding 89 yards and two touchdowns.
That is the formula Arizona’s front has to erase Saturday. Kennedy and the pass rush cannot consistently chase Bachmeier on favorable downs if Martin keeps BYU ahead of schedule. And if Bachmeier’s designed runs or scrambles keep moving the chains, Arizona’s linebackers and safeties will have to tackle cleanly enough to prevent another game from tilting toward BYU’s preferred terms.
The series adds weight without requiring melodrama. BYU has won five straight meetings since Kalani Sitake became head coach in 2016, and four of those games finished within one possession. Arizona came close enough last year to know the difference was tangible. This time, holding the Cougars’ runners down would directly attack the reason that close call still became another BYU win.
Keep the rebuilt secondary out of survival mode
Arizona’s new secondary did make plays in the opener. First-time starting safety Quinn Olson intercepted Ty Pennington late in the third quarter, and Cam Chapa broke up two passes. The same group also committed coverage and tackling errors, with Olson acknowledging the adjustment required by live tackling.
Those loose moments deserve attention because the standard being replaced was exceptional. Arizona’s 2025 defense ranked first nationally in pass-efficiency defense and turnover margin, second in interceptions and turnovers gained, and seventh in passing yards allowed. One takeaway against Northern Arizona preserved part of that identity; the accompanying mistakes showed why the front’s work is so important. If Martin and Bachmeier force the safeties downhill, BYU gains better opportunities to test their discipline behind them.
Fifita has enough help to make the pressure count
The opener also began to clarify Fifita’s receiving order. Giovanni Richardson caught eight passes for 96 yards despite an early fumble, Tré Spivey caught the opening-drive touchdown among his four receptions, and Brandon Phelps added a 21-yard score.
Richardson emerged as Fifita’s volume target, while Spivey and Phelps supplied the touchdowns. Northern Arizona was only an FCS opener, but BYU will show whether those receiving roles, Fifita’s clean decisions and the line-supported running game can sustain drives against a conference opponent.
Arizona has a 34% chance to win Saturday’s Big 12 opener, and an upset would materially change its postseason outlook. A loss leaves the Wildcats with a 2.1% modeled CFP chance and a 3.7% chance to reach the conference championship game; a win raises those figures to 6.8% and 17%, respectively. The season can survive a loss, but a win would create possibilities that are otherwise unlikely.
Kickoff at BYU is Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Arizona time on FOX. No other result affects Arizona’s outlook this week, so the interactive guide centers entirely on the Wildcats’ conference opener; the underlying model is explained in the methodology.
The most revealing sequence will come whenever Martin and Bachmeier test the middle and edges of Arizona’s defense. Northern Arizona could not run at all. BYU ran well enough last year to rescue a game Arizona had nearly won. If the Wildcats’ front can make those two Saturdays look remotely alike, the five-game series streak finally has a real chance to end.