|
|
HOU |
ARIZ |
Noah Fifita throws for 2 TDs, Arizona ends 5-game losing streak with 27-3 win over Houston
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Arizona went into victory formation for the first time in 48 days and running back Quali Conley celebrated with a backflip.
Ending a long losing streak deserved to evoke that kind of joy from the Wildcats.
Noah Fifita threw for two touchdowns, Conley scored twice and Arizona ended a five-game losing streak with a 27-3 win over Houston on Friday night.
Fifita hit Tetairoa McMillan on a touchdown pass in the first quarter and found Conley for another score to open the third. Conley added a 50-yard touchdown run and the Wildcats (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) shut down the Cougars most of the night to bounce back from a blowout loss to UCF two weeks ago.
“We’re fired up,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “It feels good. The locker room is super electric. We were super focused on just getting one, we had to win one and now we get to celebrate.”
Houston (4-6, 3-4) couldn't sustain the momentum from consecutive wins over Utah and No. 20 Kansas State. The Cougars moved the ball fairly well in the first half, but lost two fumbles, threw an interception and turned it over on downs four times.
“We didn’t do a great job being smart and being plus in the turnover (margin),” Houston coach Willie Fritz said. “We had some foolish penalties, guys trying to do too much and not doing their job.”
J'Marion Burnette lost a fumble on Houston's opening drive, Zeon Chriss threw an interception and the Cougars turned it over on downs twice in Arizona's end in the first half - one on fourth-and-goal from the 2. Houston's only points came on Jack Martin's 49-yard field goal.
Arizona was only slightly better.
The Wildcats went three and out four times in the first half and didn't get a field goal off when holder Michael Salgado-Medina bobbled the snap.
Arizona had the half's lone touchdown on a free play when Houston jumped offsides. Fifita threw the ball up for grabs in the end zone and McMillan outleaped the defensive back for a 33-yard touchdown. Tyler Loop kicked a school-record 62-yard field goal on the final play to give Arizona a 10-3 lead.
Arizona ran away with it in the second half.
The Wildcats moved quickly down the field on their opening drive of the third quarter, going up 17-3 on Conley's 13-yard touchdown catch.
Houston opened the second half with another miscue. The Cougars tried a fake punt, but the pass was incomplete, setting up Arizona for a 51-yard field goal by Loop.
Conley put the game out of reach with his 50-yard TD run up the middle that made it 27-3.
“All week in practice we talked about finishing,” Conley said.
Genesis Smith had quite a night.
Arizona's safety had an interception, recovered a fumble, broke up a pass and finished with seven tackles, including 1 1/2 for a loss.
“We all just continue to see Genesis grow and develop as a player,” Brennan said. “He continues to find the football, he continues to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and he's absolutely a guy we count on.”
Arizona played the way it needed to in ending a long losing streak. Fifita threw for 224 yards on 20-of-35 passing and the defense had far better tackling than the previous five games. Houston couldn't take advantage of its early offensive successes and let the game get away by being outscored 17-0 in the third quarter.
Houston: hosts Baylor next Saturday.
Arizona: plays at TCU next Saturday.
---
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
R. Sanford II
26 RB 82 RuYds, 32 ReYds, 5 RECs |
|
Q. Conley
7 RB 107 RuYds, RuTD, 27 ReYds, ReTD, 3 RECs |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 13 | 19 |
Rushing | 4 | 9 |
Passing | 7 | 10 |
Penalty | 2 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 2-13 | 10-17 |
4th Down Conv | 0-4 | 0-1 |
Total Net Yards | 316 | 337 |
Total Plays | 62 | 71 |
Avg Gain | 5.1 | 4.7 |
Net Yards Rushing | 133 | 113 |
Rush Attempts | 34 | 36 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.9 | 3.1 |
Yards Passing | 183 | 224 |
Comp. - Att. | 16-28 | 20-35 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.5 | 4.8 |
Penalties - Yards | 4-38 | 2-30 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 2 |
Other | 1 | 0 |
Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 3-2 | 1-0 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 4-44.0 | 5-41.0 |
Return Yards | 44 | 14 |
Punts - Returns | 3-44 | 2-9 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 1-0 | 1-5 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Z. Chriss
2 QB
|
Z. Chriss | 16/28 | 183 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
R. Sanford II
26 RB
|
R. Sanford II | 11 | 82 | 0 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Chriss
2 QB
|
Z. Chriss | 17 | 47 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Burnette
20 RB
|
J. Burnette | 2 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Butler
25 RB
|
D. Butler | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smith
1 QB
|
D. Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Mews
83 WR
|
M. Mews | 1 | -3 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
8 WR
|
D. Williams | 1 | -5 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
S. Johnson
5 WR
|
S. Johnson | 9 | 4 | 70 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Manjack IV
0 WR
|
J. Manjack IV | 2 | 2 | 60 | 0 | 57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Sanford II
26 RB
|
R. Sanford II | 5 | 5 | 32 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Mews
83 WR
|
M. Mews | 3 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Butler
25 RB
|
D. Butler | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. York
13 TE
|
J. York | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Sneed
21 RB
|
S. Sneed | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
8 WR
|
D. Williams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Carr
6 TE
|
M. Carr | 2 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
B. Mack
4 DE
|
B. Mack | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Allen
92 DL
|
C. Allen | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Holmes Jr.
18 DL
|
A. Holmes Jr. | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Cooper Jr.
5 DL
|
K. Cooper Jr. | 0-2 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. McLaurin
15 DB
|
H. McLaurin | 0-1 | 0.5 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Martin
41 K
|
J. Martin | 1/1 | 49 | 0/0 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
L. Dougherty
91 P
|
L. Dougherty | 4 | 44.0 | 0 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Mews 83 WR
|
M. Mews | 3 | 14.7 | 45 | 1 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
N. Fifita
11 QB
|
N. Fifita | 20/35 | 224 | 2 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
Q. Conley
7 RB
|
Q. Conley | 11 | 107 | 1 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Reescano
3 RB
|
K. Reescano | 11 | 28 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Fifita
11 QB
|
N. Fifita | 11 | -9 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Salgado-Medina
19 K
|
M. Salgado-Medina | 1 | -9 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. McMillan
4 WR
|
T. McMillan | 12 | 6 | 70 | 1 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hunter
16 WR
|
C. Hunter | 8 | 6 | 65 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Olson
84 TE
|
S. Olson | 2 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Conley
7 RB
|
Q. Conley | 4 | 3 | 27 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Patterson
2 WR
|
J. Patterson | 3 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Reescano
3 RB
|
K. Reescano | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Powell
87 TE
|
T. Powell | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Johnson
43 DB
|
D. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Groves-Killebrew
20 DB
|
M. Groves-Killebrew | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Ta'ufo'ou
47 DL
|
S. Ta'ufo'ou | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith
3 DL
|
T. Smith | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Brown
6 LB
|
T. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Smith
12 DB
|
G. Smith | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
T. Loop
33 K
|
T. Loop | 2/2 | 62 | 3/3 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Salgado-Medina
19 K
|
M. Salgado-Medina | 5 | 41.0 | 1 | 50 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Patterson 2 WR
|
J. Patterson | 2 | 4.5 | 9 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:26 | HOU 26 | 2:11 | 5 | 31 | Fumble |
8:28 | HOU 25 | 4:12 | 9 | 42 | Downs |
2:43 | HOU 14 | 1:18 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
0:03 | HOU 20 | 4:09 | 8 | 79 | Downs |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
9:26 | ARIZ 45 | 1:29 | 3 | -3 | INT |
3:48 | HOU 20 | 3:06 | 7 | 49 | FG |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | HOU 25 | 1:18 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
10:01 | HOU 25 | 1:59 | 5 | 24 | Downs |
6:15 | HOU 25 | 1:38 | 3 | -17 | Punt |
4:27 | HOU 25 | 4:13 | 10 | 48 | Downs |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:28 | HOU 26 | 1:38 | 3 | -2 | Punt |
6:07 | HOU 20 | 1:49 | 4 | 68 | Fumble |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | ARIZ 25 | 1:34 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
11:15 | ARIZ 40 | 2:47 | 7 | 60 | TD |
4:16 | ARIZ 33 | 1:33 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
1:25 | ARIZ 42 | 1:22 | 3 | -8 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:54 | ARIZ 1 | 1:28 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
7:57 | ARIZ 44 | 4:09 | 10 | 27 | Downs |
0:42 | ARIZ 25 | 0:42 | 6 | 31 | FG |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:42 | ARIZ 30 | 3:41 | 10 | 70 | TD |
8:02 | HOU 49 | 1:47 | 5 | 16 | FG |
4:37 | ARIZ 50 | 0:10 | 1 | 50 | TD |
0:14 | ARIZ 27 | 3:46 | 8 | 37 | INT |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
9:50 | ARIZ 31 | 3:43 | 6 | 12 | Punt |
4:18 | HOU 5 | 4:18 | 8 | 22 | Game |
- Punt (3 plays, 5 yards, 1:34 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) J.Martin kicks 65 yards from HOU 35 to the ARI End Zone. Touchback. |
Sack | 1 & 10 - ARIZ 25 (15:00 - 1st) N.Fifita steps back to pass. Sacked at ARI 18 for -7 yards (A.Holmes). |
No Gain | 2 & 17 - ARIZ 18 (14:24 - 1st) N.Fifita steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.McMillan. |
+12 YD | 3 & 17 - ARIZ 18 (14:19 - 1st) N.Fifita pass complete. Catch made by K.Reescano for 12 yards. Tackled by HOU at ARI 30. |
Punt | 4 & 5 - ARIZ 30 (13:35 - 1st) M.Salgado-Medina punts 42 yards to HOU 28 Center-J.Holloway. M.Mews returned punt from the HOU 28. Tackled by ARI at HOU 28. |
- Fumble (5 plays, 31 yards, 2:11 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 28 (13:26 - 1st) R.Sanford rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by ARI at HOU 33. |
+17 YD | 2 & 3 - HOU 33 (12:52 - 1st) Z.Chriss pass complete. Catch made by R.Sanford for 17 yards. Tackled by ARI at HOU 50. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 50 (12:10 - 1st) Z.Chriss rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by ARI at HOU 49. |
No Gain | 2 & 11 - HOU 49 (11:33 - 1st) Z.Chriss steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Johnson. |
+10 YD | 3 & 11 - HOU 49 (11:26 - 1st) J.Burnette rushed for 10 yards. J.Burnette FUMBLES forced by S.Ta'ufo'ou. Fumble RECOVERED by ARI-G.Smith at ARI 41. Tackled by HOU at ARI 40. |
- Touchdown (7 plays, 60 yards, 2:47 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - ARIZ 40 (11:15 - 1st) N.Fifita pass complete. Catch made by Q.Conley for 7 yards. Tackled by HOU at ARI 47. |
+4 YD | 2 & 3 - ARIZ 47 (10:43 - 1st) Q.Conley rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 49. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 49 (10:15 - 1st) N.Fifita pass complete. Catch made by T.McMillan for -1 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 50. |
+12 YD | 2 & 11 - ARIZ 50 (9:42 - 1st) N.Fifita rushed for 12 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 38. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - HOU 38 (9:18 - 1st) N.Fifita steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Olson. |
+5 YD | 2 & 10 - HOU 38 (9:12 - 1st) N.Fifita rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 33. |
+33 YD | 3 & 5 - HOU 33 (8:39 - 1st) N.Fifita pass complete. Catch made by T.McMillan for 33 yards. TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on HOU-Z.Strong Defensive Offside 5 yards declined. |
PAT Good | (8:28 - 1st) T.Loop extra point is good. |