Arizona Football battles, but comes up just short against Utah

TUCSON, AZ – Playing at home against Utah for senior day, Arizona Football (1-9, 1-6) battled but came up just short in their 38-29 loss to the Utes. 

It was a hard-fought game as Arizona Football gained 329 yards, earned 16 first downs, and scored 29 points, but it ultimately wasn’t enough on Senior Day as the visiting No. 24 Utah Utes came away with the 38-29 win.

Overall, it was a day full of events in Tucson as it was the final home game for several seniors, but beyond that, it was Military Appreciation Day as well, as the Wildcats also donned special Military-inspired uniforms.

While it was a bit of a squelcher on an unseasonably warm day in Tucson with temperatures reaching the 80s around kick-off, things also started off hot on the field to begin the game as well.

Utah scored on their first possession to open the game, and luckily, Arizona responded with an impressive touchdown drive of their own to make it 7-7. Much of the first half would like that as well!

The Wildcats would take the lead at 14-7 late in the first quarter when Will Plummer would connect on a six-yard pass to Michael Wiley.

They would regain the lead again later in the 2nd quarter when Lucas Havrisik would put one through the uprights from 57-yards out.

However, with over two minutes left to play in the half, the Utes marched right down the field, scoring the ball and making it 21-17 at the half.

A hard-fought and competitive second half by Arizona Football would make for an entertaining game of football.

Arizona would open the third quarter by driving 62 yards on 10 plays, capping things off with a 31-yard field goal by Tyler Loop.

A short while later, Arizona would connect on another field goal again from Loop, and then followed that up with a punt block by Isaiah Taylor that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion would make it 31-29.

Unfortunately, Utah would go on a back-breaking 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that lasted over eight minutes to make it 38-29. However, the touchdown drive didn’t come without a little controversy as the Utes benefitted from what appeared to be a phantom face mask call deep in Arizona territory to keep their touchdown drive alive.

Arizona would get another opportunity with a little over two minutes to play in the fourth quarter but it didn’t matter anyway as the Wildcats were down by two possessions and couldn’t get it done.

With the loss, Arizona falls to 1-9 (1-6) on the year and will return to action next Saturday when they travel to Pullman to take on the Washington State Cougars.