The Arizona Wildcats hold off No. 10 Utah and upset the Utes in Salt Lake City to begin Big 12 play

After languishing in defeat for two weeks, Arizona found its mojo at the most opportune time, defeating the 10th-ranked Utes 23-10 in UA's Big 12 opener Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The triumph is Arizona's first win over the Utes in Salt Lake City since 2014. The Wildcats' victory, their first in Big 12 play, is the program's first road win over a top 10 team since 2022, when they were ranked ninth defeated UCLA.

After giving up 31 unanswered points and dominating on the offensive line in their last road game against Kansas State, Arizona's defense developed an aggressive and physical tone on defense.

Utah's first two trips to the red zone resulted in two fourth-down stops by the UA defense, including a pass breakup by cornerback Tacario Davis – his first of the season after leading the Pac-12 with 15 last season – and Nickelback Treydan Stukes, who left the first half with an injury, stuffed Utes running back Mike Mitchell on the first drive at the Arizona 11-yard line.

Utah named freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of NFL quarterback Zach Wilson, as the starter for the third straight game, while seventh-year starter Cameron Rising continued rehab from a hand injury he suffered earlier this month Baylor had contracted.

Rising dressed up, took part in pregame warmups and was the captain of the coin toss, but Wilson got the nod and passed for 280 yards. Wilson's main target was former Wildcat Dorian Singer, who finished the night with nine catches for 155 yards, his most productive game since his final season at UA in 2022.

After giving up 279 rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks, Wilson had minus-9 rushing yards on Saturday. The Wildcats outgained the Utes by 161 yards to 84.

Arizona's offense was more creative and utilized more playmakers alongside star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Although McMillan had six catches for 50 yards, Arizona's passing attack featured junior tight end Keyan Burnett, who had five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, and slot receiver Jeremiah Patterson, who also scored a touchdown on Saturday.

Before Patterson's 3-yard touchdown catch on third down, the junior college transfer lined up outside, waved in and ran to the pylon for Arizona's first touchdown of the night. Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano's 36-yard run up the middle took the Wildcats to the Utah 11-yard line to set up Patterson's touchdown.

Although the Wildcats reached the end zone twice on Saturday, kicker Tyler Loop continued to extend Arizona's lead with three field goals, a career-high. Loop had field goals of 47, 53 and 33 yards; His final score increased Arizona's lead to two possessions, 16-3, heading into the fourth quarter.

While Arizona blew its lead, the Wildcats' defense continued to put pressure on Wilson with its defensive line and tackles from linebackers Jacob Manu and Taye Brown. Sophomore defensive lineman Genesis Smith, Stukes' backup at nickel back, intercepted Wilson in the third quarter.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita's interception led to Utah scoring its only touchdown of the night, set up by a 37-yard highlight catch by Singer. Wilson connected with tight end Caleb Lohner for a 20-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Fifita led 16-10 in the fourth quarter before the large Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd and completed two key passes in the third and 11th quarters. The first was a 41-yard dart over center fielder to wide receiver Devin Hyatt. The second was the ultimate knockout blow, a 35-yard heave to the back of the end zone for Burnett, his first career touchdown as a Wildcat, for a 23-10 lead with just over eight minutes to play.

And once again, Arizona forced another fourth down stop – its fourth of the night – to regain possession and give Salt Lake City its biggest win of the season in its Big 12 home opener against Texas Tech (4-1). escape-night matchup on Saturday at Arizona Stadium.

• Arizona's Salt Lake City-bound flight was delayed several hours at Tucson International Airport on Friday due to a “mechanical issue.” The team departed late Friday evening and landed in Salt Lake City early Saturday morning, about 20 hours after kickoff.
• Northwestern transfer Alexander Doost started at right back on Saturday ahead of Leif Magnuson and Ryan Stewart.
• Second-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley made his first career start, replacing Marquis Groves-Killebrew, who played Saturday.
• Freshman Michael Salgado-Medina started at punter after Jordan Forbes and Loop punted in the last two games.
• Arizona entered Saturday as one of the most penalized teams in college football, but finished Saturday with five penalties for 35 yards; Utah had three penalties for 20 yards.