Exciting Night in Tucson: Arizona Upsets No. 10 Utah!
Hey folks, what a thrilling night it was in Tucson! The Arizona Wildcats pulled off an impressive upset against the No. 10 ranked Utah Utes, winning the game 23-10 late Saturday night. It was the perfect night for some football, and the Wildcats didn’t disappoint their fans!
Noah Fifita Shines
All eyes were on Arizona’s quarterback, _Noah Fifita_, and he delivered big time! Throwing for two touchdowns, Fifita looked like a seasoned pro out there, especially when he sealed the game with a fantastic 35-yard touchdown pass to _Keyan Burnett_ in the fourth quarter. With just over eight minutes left on the clock, he rolled to his right to escape pressure and found Burnett in the back of the end zone. Can you say “game over”? 🎉
The crowd went wild! It was not just any touchdown; this was Burnett’s first career TD, making the moment extra special. The excitement buzzed all around the stadium as the fans celebrated their quarterback’s incredible performance.
Key Moments from the Game
Fifita’s night was filled with thrilling plays, but it was that drive in the fourth quarter that really stood out. Earlier in the drive, he threw a beautiful 41-yard completion to _Devin Hyatt_ while dodging a diving defender—just pure skill! It’s clear that this kid has a bright future ahead if he keeps playing like this.
Utah’s Struggles
Unfortunately for Utah fans, the night wasn’t quite as bright. The Utes have been feeling the absence of their star quarterback, _Cameron Rising_, who has been sidelined with a hand injury since Week 2. Although freshman _Isaac Wilson_ stepped in to start, he faced quite a tough challenge against Arizona’s defense.
Utah kicked off with a promising 13-play drive that ended up going nowhere, stalling at the 10-yard line. When they went for it on fourth down, Arizona’s defense had other plans and totally stuffed them. After that, Utah managed another drive that got them all the way to Arizona’s 2-yard line but, once again, came up short with an incomplete pass. Talk about frustrating!
Missed Opportunities
As the game progressed, it became clear that the Utes just couldn’t find their rhythm. Head coach _Kyle Whittingham_ faced a tough call with less than seven minutes left. Instead of going for it on fourth-and-9 from their own 26-yard line, he opted to punt. They paid for that decision because they turned it over on downs and couldn’t generate any scoring opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Despite this setback, Utah can still be a contender if Rising returns to action soon. The team is trying to play it safe with their star quarterback, but let’s be honest—they’re going to need him back in the lineup to really make a playoff push. Meanwhile, some of their competition faced challenges too; Kansas State lost to BYU, and Oklahoma State is struggling with a disappointing 0-2 record in the league.
On the other hand, Arizona is riding high after this win and is firmly in the mix for the conference title. Their earlier loss against Kansas State didn’t count toward conference standings, which keeps them in the hunt!
What’s Next?
So, will Cameron Rising be back in time for Utah’s next game? The Utes have a week off before facing Arizona State in Week 7, and many are hoping he’s ready to roll by then. For now, Arizona will enjoy their hard-fought victory and look forward to what’s next!
In any case, this Saturday night in Tucson will certainly be remembered as a game that showcased the underdogs shining through in a big way. Definitely a match to keep on your highlight reel!
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
