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09/26 23:38 CDT Fifita throws 4 touchdown passes in Arizona's 34-24 win over
Washington State
Fifita throws 4 touchdown passes in Arizona's 34-24 win over Washington State
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) --- Noah Fifita threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns and
Arizona overcame a halftime deficit for a 34-24 victory over Washington State
on Saturday night.
Tre Spivey had seven catches for 129 yards and two scores for the Wildcats
(3-1) in the game between the two former Pac-12 foes.
Washington State scored two early touchdowns to go up 14-0 and led 17-14 at the
half.
"We go down 14-0 in the first quarter and players just kept responding, kept
finding ways to make plays, get a stop," Wildcats coach Brent Brennan said.
"Then coming out of halftime, one of the biggest things we talked about was
multiple battles in this game that we were going to have to fight."
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Cougars (1-3) at home.
Caden Pinnick threw for 241 yards and a touchdown.
Pinnick also ran 11 yards for a touchdown on Washington State's opening drive.
Safety Jackquintin Bal intercepted Fifita and ran 25 yards for a touchdown to
put Washington State up 14-0. It was Fifita's second interception of the season.
Before time ran out on the first quarter, Fifita hit Spivey with a 28-yard
touchdown pass to narrow the gap.
Spivey also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14. He had six
receptions for 125 yards and both TDs in the first half alone.
Washington State had a chance to go in front but Jack Stevens' 39-yard
field-goal attempt was blocked by Tre Smith. Stevens is 1-6 on field goals this
season.
Jay'Vion Cole appeared to intercept Pinnick, but he did not have full control
of the ball when he went out of bounds so it was ruled an incomplete pass.
Stevens capped the drive with a 33-yard field goal to put Washington State
ahead 17-14 at halftime.
"Appreciate our players' fight. Started fast with the TD and the interception,"
said Washington State first-year coach Kirby Moore. "Had other opportunities
there within the first half, second half. Give Arizona credit. Third quarter
(we were) really inefficient on offense."
Arizona's Michael Salgado-Medina's 42-yard field goal went wide right to open
the second half. The Cougars blocked a 43-yard Salgado-Medina attempt to stay
in front.
Fifita hit true freshman Caleb Smith with a 38-yard touchdown pass to put
Wildcats on top 21-17. Salgado-Medina added a 27-yard field goal early in the
fourth quarter.
Arizona extended the lead on Fifita's 11-yard TD pass to Isaiah Mizell.
Washington State narrowed it on Pinnick's 46-yard touchdown pass to Brandon
Ganashamoorthy with 7:15 left in the game.
Salgado-Medina made a 51-yard field goal for the final margin as the Wildcats
danced along with coach Brennan on the sideline.
"I feel like the past couple of games we kind of struggled coming out of the
half, so the main focus this week was just dominating the third and fourth
quarter and just playing good football," Smith said.
Up next Arizona hosts the Cincinnati Bearcats next Saturday. Washington State opens the Pac-12 season at home against Fresno State. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here.
Up next Arizona hosts the Cincinnati Bearcats next Saturday. Washington State opens the Pac-12 season at home against Fresno State. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here.
