Arizona nearly rallied back from a two-touchdown deficit to beat Texas Tech in the Wildcats ‘ Big 12 home opener, but the Red Raiders prevailed to beat the UA 28-22 Saturday night in Tucson.
The Wildcats’ (3-2) setback is the first home loss under first-year head coach Brent Brennan — and the first Big 12 loss of the season.
Saturday’s loss for Arizona was also its first to an unranked team since the Mississippi State game last season. The last time Arizona fell to an unranked team in Tucson was against Washington State in the 2022 season.
“I’m disappointed that we were unable to get it done,” Brennan said. “I love the way we rallied.”
With Texas Tech (5-1) coming in with the highest-scoring offense in the Big 12 and the Wildcats capable of scoring points, Saturday had the makings of an offensive shootout at Arizona Stadium.
It was anything but that.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita had arguably his worst performance as the Wildcats’ starter, completing 28 of 49 passes (57%) for 301 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Saturday marked Fifita’s first multi-interception game of his career; he’s thrown interceptions in seven straight games.