Arizona is where it needs to be going into its bye week.
Winners of four straight games, following a 52-31 victory Saturday over West Virginia at Morgantown, W.Va.. Arizona is 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12.
The victory over West Virginia (3-3, 0-3) and former coach Rich Rodriguez sets up an opportunity for the Wildcats to get some rest and heal before Iowa State comes to Casino del Sol Stadium on Oct. 24 for Homecoming.
Best story in college football no one is talking about right now: Arizona and Noah Fifita
Down their top 3 receivers, Arizona puts up 52 points at WVU to improve to 5-1 on the year.
Time to talk about UofA as a Big 12 title contender
And Fifita as a Heisman contender too https://t.co/DReYkZxz6d
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) October 10, 2026
Noah Fifita outdueled West Virginia’s dual-threat quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., passing for 341 yards while completing 16 of 23 pass attempts. Fifita also had three touchdown passes and an interception.
Although his three starting receivers — Tre Spivey, Gio Richardson and Chris Hunter — are out with injuries, Arizona’s pass attack did not skip a beat.
Isaiah Mizell, making his first career start, was a game changer with his speed, catching six balls for 183 yards and two touchdowns (including a 72-yarder in which he outran the safety).
Brandon Phelps had four receptions for 88 yards.
SCOOP AND SCORE TNT https://t.co/cckePtnCNE
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 10, 2026
Marshall transfer Antwan Roberts had a productive return to the state of West Virginia, rushing for 63 yards on seven carries, including a 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that capped the scoring.
Hawkins was 11 of 28 for 219 yards without a touchdown or interception.
The Mountaineers rushed for 303 yards, including 98 by Hawkins on 25 carries. Cam Cook rushed for 141 yards on 34 carries with two touchdowns.
HOUSE CALL FOR Q
TNT https://t.co/n0OdwTt5rw— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 10, 2026
The 52 points were a season high for the Wildcats, who took advantage of critical West Virginia mistakes. The 5-1 start is their best since 2014, when Rodriguez coached Arizona to the Pac-12 South title.
West Virginia opened the scoring with a 25-yard field goal, but Arizona quickly responded. Fifita connected with Mizell on a 14-yard touchdown pass to put the Wildcats ahead 7-3.
Following a West Virginia fumble, linebacker Lee Mollette III recovered the loose ball and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. The defensive score extended Arizona’s lead to 14-3.
HAVE! A! DAY! 72 yards to the house for Mizell
TNT https://t.co/qMDC1fCdiP
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 10, 2026
West Virginia answered with a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Hawkins.
The Mountaineers had opportunities to seize momentum, including a drive that reached the Arizona 3-yard line. But the Wildcats’ defense came up with a critical stop, forcing a turnover on downs after West Virginia failed to convert on fourth-and-goal.
Arizona had 24-17 lead at halftime after a first half that featured momentum swings on both sides.
The Wildcats extended their lead early in the third quarter, needing just 73 seconds for a 48-yard connection of Fifita to Mizell that set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Kedrick Reescano, making it 31-17.
You heard @KedrickReescano! https://t.co/eUMkp6DrZO
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 10, 2026
West Virginia marched 92 yards on 16 plays, consuming 6 minutes, 40 seconds before Amari Latimer scored on a 2-yard run with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown cut Arizona’s lead to 31-24.
Facing third-and-7, Fifita found Mizell for a 72-yard touchdown catch-and-run with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.
Cook then scored on a 1-yard run with 12:33 remaining, bringing West Virginia within 38-31.
Now do a silly one
TNT https://t.co/FoimvCk5V0
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 10, 2026
Arizona used a flea-flicker to catch West Virginia off guard. Fifita delivered a 42-yard touchdown pass to Phelps, increasing the lead back to 45-31 with 11:35 left.
Arizona’s defense followed with a three-and-out, giving the Wildcats another opportunity to put the game away. Roberts provided the finishing touch, breaking free for a 30-yard touchdown run that extended the lead to 52-31.
Took off to the endzone
TNT https://t.co/riLyUzdD4O
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 10, 2026
The Wildcats’ offense finished with 492 total yards on just 51 plays, averaging more than nine yards per snap. Arizona rushed for 141 yards.
Cook’s two fumbles were costly. One resulted in Mollette’s defensive touchdown, while another came inside Arizona’s 5-yard line just before halftime, denying the Mountaineers a chance to tie the game.
The matchup carried added significance because Rodriguez previously coached the Wildcats from 2012 through 2017.
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