Arizona needed just 31 seconds to deliver its first statement Saturday afternoon, and the Wildcats never relinquished control in a 39-3 victory over Iowa State at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Noah Fifita connected with Isaiah Mizell for a 71-yard touchdown on Arizona’s second offensive play, and the Wildcats used an explosive passing game, a productive ground attack and a suffocating defensive performance to become bowl eligible with their sixth victory of the season.
The win moved No. 25 Arizona to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, extending its winning streak to five games. It also gave the Wildcats a memorable Homecoming victory during the program’s celebration of 100 years of Bear Down.
ISAIAH MIZELL ARE YOU FOR REAL??? ESPN2 https://t.co/cFHh4euCng
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 24, 2026
Brent Brennan’s team is one of five in the Big 12 with a 3-1 record behind Utah (3-0), which hosted Houston late Saturday night.
Fifita completed 27 of 34 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns, while Mizell emerged as his biggest target with 134 yards on eight receptions.
The Wildcats held a 25-3 advantage at halftime, having scored touchdowns on three of their first four possessions and added a field goal on another.
Iowa State never found the end zone.
Mizell gives Arizona an immediate spark
Arizona’s opening possession provided an early indication of how difficult the Wildcats would be to contain.
After taking the opening kickoff, Arizona needed only two plays to reach the end zone. Fifita found Mizell downfield for a 71-yard touchdown, and tight end Henry Gabalis connected with fellow tight ends Tyler Powell on the trick two-point conversion to give the Wildcats an 8-0 lead.
The opening sequence put Iowa State on its heels before the Cyclones had established any offensive rhythm.
Arizona’s defense forced a punt on Iowa State’s first possession, returning the ball to an offense that was already threatening to stretch the lead.
The Wildcats did exactly that.
Q punches it in from six yards out to cap the 13-play drive!
ESPN2 https://t.co/riUZcGaiZc— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 24, 2026
Arizona put together a 13-play, 80-yard drive that consumed nearly seven minutes and culminated on Quincy Craig’s 6-yard touchdown run.
The extra point extended Arizona’s advantage to 15-0 with 5:51 remaining in the first quarter.
Iowa State finds points but struggles to finish drives
The Cyclones finally reached scoring range on their next possession.
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor connected with Vince Benetti for a 32-yard gain, moving Iowa State deep into Arizona territory. The Cyclones reached the Wildcats’ 12-yard line, but Arizona’s defense tightened and forced a field-goal attempt.
Kyle Konrardy converted from 40 yards, putting Iowa State on the scoreboard with 1:06 remaining in the first quarter.
That drive proved to be the Cyclones’ lone scoring possession.
Arizona answered with another productive offensive series in the second quarter. The Wildcats covered 39 yards in eight plays before settling for a 53-yard field goal by Michael Salgado-Medina, pushing their lead to 18-3.
Long touchdown drive puts Arizona firmly in control
Homecoming house call for Ked ESPN2 https://t.co/ph8zSCiFqW
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 25, 2026
Arizona delivered another statement late in the first half with an 80-yard scoring drive that consumed 7 minutes and 21 seconds.
The 15-play possession included a 17-yard run by Fifita.
Arizona also benefited from a 19-yard run by Craig, who finished with a team-high 51 yards on nine carries.
The Wildcats eventually reached the end zone when Kedrick Reescano scored on a 5-yard run. Salgado-Medina converted the extra point, extending Arizona’s lead to 25-3 with 1:55 remaining before halftime.
Arizona had another opportunity to add points before halftime after moving into Cyclone territory, but Salgado-Medina missed a 31-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.
Defense supplies finishing touch
Arizona kept an opponent out of the end zone for the first time this season, but two other opponents — NAU and Cincinnati — only scored one touchdown.
The Wildcats improved to 4-0 at home while allowing the opposition only 34 points in those games.
Arizona finished with four sacks and five tackles for loss.
True freshman Dash Fifita, Noah’s younger brother, finished with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Iowa State had only 221 yards of total offense compared to Arizona’s 477. The Cyclones were held to only 52 yards rushing on 31 carries.
The bad news for the defense was the first half departure of talented cornerback Jayvion Cole because of an undisclosed injury.
Feel-good fourth quarter scores
First career catch? Ah why not, make it a tuddy
ESPN2 https://t.co/Pw9f01TKAi— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 25, 2026
Gabalis, another freshman, scored a touchdown on his first career reception in the fourth quarter after completing the 2-point conversion pass early in the game.
Fifita’s scoring pass to Gabalis increased the lead to 32-3 with 6:41 left.
Backup quarterback Sawyer Anderson scored his first career touchdown on a 4-yard run with 1:55 remaining.
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