Just like it did at BYU in the second week of the season, No. 22 Arizona came out strong in the first half at No. 13 Texas Tech on Saturday but could not withstand the Red Raiders in the second half.
The Wildcats led be seven points at halftime (they led by three at the half at BYU) but lost 34-26 to the Red Raiders. They similarly succumbed to BYU 28-17.
That puts Arizona at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12 while Texas Tech is 7-1 and 4-1.
The loss snapped Arizona’s five-game winning streak.
The defeat represents a significant setback for Arizona’s Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff aspirations after the Wildcats had put themselves back into the national conversation with five consecutive victories.
"I’m proud of our team. They fought their asses off for four quarters. … I believe in this team." — Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, after the loss to Texas Tech
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) October 31, 2026
Arizona appeared poised to pull off a significant road victory after taking a 17-10 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal by Michael Salgado-Medina before Texas Tech answered with a 24-yard touchdown reception by Terrance Carter Jr. from quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who started in place of regular starter Will Hammond because of struggles with the Texas Tech offense in recent games.
Noah Fifita then connected with Isaiah Mizell on a 94-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to put Arizona back in front, 10-7.
Kedrick Reescano added a 5-yard touchdown run to extend the Wildcats’ advantage to 17-7.
Texas Tech added a late field goal to make it a seven-point game at the break.
Fifita was particularly effective through the air, completing 14 of 17 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
The Red Raiders found their answer after halftime by turning to their powerful rushing attack.
Ja’Koby Williams rushed for 171 yards, while Castellanos added 117 yards on the ground.
Castellanos also threw two touchdown passes as the Red Raiders gradually took control.
Castellanos opened the second-half scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17.
Arizona answered with another touchdown from Reescano, who scored from one yard out to put the Wildcats ahead 23-17. Texas Tech blocked the extra-point attempt, keeping the margin at six.
The Red Raiders responded with a fourth-down conversion that proved pivotal. Castellanos connected with Kenny Johnson on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 2:33 remaining in the third quarter, giving Texas Tech a 24-23 lead.
Arizona struggled to regain its offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders added a 42-yard field goal to extend their advantage to 27-23 before Williams delivered the decisive blow.
With 2:05 remaining, Williams broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run, putting Texas Tech ahead 34-23 and effectively sealing the victory.
Arizona added a 22-yard field goal by Salgado-Medina with 22 seconds remaining, but the Wildcats could not recover the ensuing onside kick.
Fifita completed 33 of 45 attempts for 417 yards and one touchdown without an interception.
Mizell finished with eight receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by his 94-yard scoring catch.
Giovanni Richardson and Chris Hunter returned after being out a month with injuries.
Richardson contributed six receptions for 90 yards, while Hunter added four catches for 52 yards.
Unfortunately, another receiver, RJ Mosley suffered an injury to his left leg in the second half and had to be carted off the field.
Reescano scored twice on the ground for Arizona, but the Wildcats finished with only 12 net rushing yards. That’s because Fifita was sacked four times.
Texas Tech finished with 469 total yards, including 336 rushing yards, compared to Arizona’s 429 total yards. The Red Raiders also recorded 10 more rushing first downs and capitalized on their ability to extend drives with Castellanos leading the way.
The Wildcats will now return home for two consecutive games, beginning with a Friday night matchup against TCU before hosting unbeaten Utah on Nov. 14.
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