FINAL: Arizona scores first, fast to control Utah

UA Wildcats rise to #16 in AP poll
Published: Nov. 17, 2023 at 9:26 AM MST|Updated: Nov. 20, 2023 at 12:52 PM MST
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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Wildcats started strong against Utah and did not stop.

The Wildcats opened the scoring quickly and cruised to a 42-18 victory Saturday, November 18, in the team’s final home game of the season.

The Wildcats’ 21-point first quarter was their most points in any quarter against Pac-12 competition since scoring 21 against Arizona State in the third quarter of the 2022 Territorial Cup. It was their most in a first quarter against a Pac-12 team since dropping 24 in the opening quarter at Washington State in 2014.

Arizona’s eight wins so far this season are the most the team has earned since going 10-4 in 2014.

The Wildcats have now won five straight games against conference opponents for the first time since 1998.

The team’s current seven-win jump over the 2021 team’s 1-11 mark is tied for the largest two-year improvement in program history. Arizona also improved by seven wins between the 1996 (5-6) and 1998 (12-1) seasons.

Starting QB Noah Fifita, WR Tetairoa McMillan, and QB Jayden de Laura all threw touchdown passes against the Utes. It is the first time in the StatPass era (1996-current) that Arizona had three different players throw a touchdown pass in one game.

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