Arizona’s defense almost pitched a shut out and Noah Fifita kept on rolling despite injuries to top receivers Gio Richardson, Tre Spivey and Chris Hunter.
The trio did not play in the second half, but Arizona still outscored Cincinnati 24-7 after halftime of the 34-7 victory over the previously unbeaten Bearcats (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) on Saturday night at Casino del Sol Stadium.
The Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) limited Cincinnati’s potent rushing attack that averaged 270 yards a game to a season-low 74.
Arizona’s top three WRs on the sideline with injuries https://t.co/q1JNwQII3c
— PHNX Wildcats (@PHNX_Wildcats) October 4, 2026
Arizona controlled the game from the beginning.
Kedrick Reescano opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run with 10:21 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
The Wildcats added a 23-yard field goal from Michael Salgado-Medina with a second remaining in the first half to take a 10-0 lead into the break.
Fifita extended the Wildcats’ lead with an 8-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter after Antwan Roberts Jr. broke loose for a 58-yard run.
Roberts’ long run ended with a fumble near the Cincinnati goal line, but the ball went into the end zone and Cincinnati was penalized after a Bearcat player swatted it out of bounds, giving Arizona first-and-goal at the 6-yard line.
Three plays later, Fifita scored.
Roberts, who played for Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege when the two were at Marshall, led the Wildcats with 87 yards on five carries.
GOOD DUB. https://t.co/afLditDa6u
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 4, 2026
Arizona added another touchdown later in the third quarter when Fifita connected with Brandon Phelps on a 24-yard touchdown pass, pushing the advantage to 24-0.
Salgado-Medina added his second field goal of the night, a 35-yarder, early in the fourth quarter before Arizona put the finishing touches on the victory with a 5-yard touchdown reception by Tyler Powell.
Cincinnati avoided a shutout when quarterback JC French IV scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining.
Fifita finished with 25-of-27 passing for 284 yards with two touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown.
Arizona’s ground game was particularly effective with Quincy Craig rushing for 77 yards on seven carries, including a 19-yard gain, while Reescano finished with 57 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
The Wildcats finished with 238 rushing yards, their most in a Big 12 game under Brent Brennan.
Any wonder why Arizona’s D is shutting out Cincinnati and holding the Bearcats to a season-low 61 yards on the ground?
Just look at the face of D coordinator Danny Gonzales: https://t.co/e2ItFZznvv
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) October 4, 2026
The defensive performance was even more significant considering what Cincinnati had accomplished during its unbeaten start.
The Bearcats had scored at least 31 points in each of their first four games and had rushed for 271 yards in their previous game against Kansas State.
Arizona’s defense instead forced Cincinnati to become one-dimensional.
French completed 16 of 29 passes for 153 yards and rushed for the Bearcats’ only touchdown. French finished as Cincinnati’s top rusher at only 29 yards on nine carries.
The Wildcats also overcame an early turnover when Fifita was intercepted by MJ Cannon in the first quarter. Cincinnati was unable to capitalize, and Arizona’s defense later stopped the Bearcats on fourth down inside the Wildcats’ 2-yard line.
The victory was Arizona’s second straight over Cincinnati. The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats 30-24 in Cincinnati last season in the first meeting between the programs. The Bearcats were ranked No. 22 in that game.
After opening Big 12 play with a loss at BYU, Arizona has now responded with three consecutive victories, including wins over Northern Illinois, Washington State and Cincinnati.
The Wildcats will take that momentum on the road next week when they travel to face West Virginia (3-2, 0-2) and former coach Rich Rodriguez.
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