It was almost three years to the date – Sept. 23, 2026 – Noah Fifita took over for a then-injured Jayden de Laura against Stanford and helped win the game.
Arizona looked different under center that day in replacing de Laura late in the game. The team played harder, steadier – more confident. (Some might say that doesn’t happen, but I saw it. My eyes didn’t deceive me).
He helped win that game and since then has been the steady force for Arizona ever since. Now, he’s the all-time leader in passing yards 10,017 – passing Nick Foles on the all-time list (2009-11). He already has the most touchdowns by a UA quarterback with 80, getting four in Saturday’s 42-17 win over Northern Illinois.
Foles – via video board – congratulated Fifita for his accomplishments.
“I couldn’t be more proud of you,” Foles said in his 19-second message. “There’s still a lot more passing yards for you to throw and a lot more touchdowns to be had so keep it rolling.”
Talk about legacy – that’s one era to another.
“He’s one of those rare people that continues to make unselfish choices,” said UA coach Brent Brennan, in Arizona’s postgame locker room. “He chooses you guys (teammates). He chooses the UA. He chooses the city of Tucson time and time and time again. He’s got an incredible legacy and it’s still building.”
Brennan then handed him a game ball to signify his major accomplishment in passing yards.
He had to break it here at Casino Del Sol Stadium, right? Had to … so with 4:48 left – in a one-sided game – Fifita hit Isaiah Mizell on a 7-yard pass for the record.
“I just felt that, as a program, we owed it to him to give him a chance to do that here,” Brennan said.
Pay stopped and the celebration on and off the field started.
“Ecstasy – I was super excited for him,” Mizell said. “But he’s such about his business, he wasn’t really worried about that this week. He just really wanted this W.”
He got that too, as UA moved to 2-1 overall
Fifita was fantastic – again – going 31 of 34 for 325 yards and the aforementioned four TDs.
As per usual after a win – even in these celebratory times when it calls for it – Fifita chose not to speak to the media. He only speaks to the media after losses.
But others had kind words, including former UA quarterbacks.
“I’m very happy for Noah and his family on becoming the all-time passing leader for UofA,” said Willie Tuitama, whose touchdown record (tied with Foles with 67) was surpassed by Fifita. “His commitment to the program and the city of Tucson have been on full display,. He is so deserving of the top spot. I’m excited to see what the rest of the season holds for him. Beardown!”
Said Tom Tunnicliffe: “Congratulations to Noah! He is deserving and I am sure would be the first to thank his teammates and coaches that made it possible for him to reach such a milestone. I have always been impressed (with) his leadership, durability and winning attitude. As someone who always battled the size criticism, I love that he has once again validated the intangibles of the position outweighing the default size requirements that so many uneducated people tend to espouse. Noah is a great ambassador for the program and will be for many decades to come. For Noah, (the year) 2069 will be the same distance in time as today is to my last year at Arizona. I am sure they will be talking about him, and he will be contributing to Arizona at that time, and beyond.
“But maybe the greatest trait of all is his loyalty to the program, his teammates and coaches. A rare commodity in today’s fast-changing college athletics in the NIL era.”
Added Ortege Jenkins, another UA QB great: “Congratulations to Noah on becoming the all-time passing leader at the University of Arizona. What an incredible accomplishment and a well-deserved place in Arizona Football history. Having played quarterback at Arizona myself, I understand what it means to play that position and represent the University. Noah is truly one of on – a special player, a tremendous competitor, and one of the best quarterbacks to ever wear an Arizona uniform if not the BEST, His talent, leadership, toughness, and the way he represents the program make this record even more meaningful … You’ve earned your place among the all-time greats at the University of Arizona.”
Brennan, once again, said one of college football’s best stories is in Southern Arizona and it’s with Fifita.
“The whole country should be talking about this kid, not just based on how he plays, but who he is and the choices he’s made throughout his career here. Like that’s rare,” Brennan said. “Like so many other people (players) have jumped ship and taken the money or gone to something different or would look for something new or the grass is always greener. But that guy stayed here and watered the grass here and made it into something truly special.”
Legacy, indeed.
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