The Arizona Wildcats faced a heart-wrenching double-overtime loss against the BYU Cougars on October 11, 2025, in Tucson. The game started poorly for Arizona, as they fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. A 74-minute weather delay disrupted the game, but Arizona regrouped and managed to take a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Arizona’s Late Collapse
Despite their promising comeback, including a strong offensive push, the Wildcats could not seal the victory. BYU equalized late in the fourth quarter, pushing the game into double overtime where they ultimately prevailed 33-27.
Coach Brent Brennan’s Assessment
In the aftermath, Arizona head coach Brent Brennan expressed his disappointment. He noted their struggle during critical moments, stating, “We had a chance to end it offensively, and we had a chance to end it defensively, and neither side of the ball did.”
During overtime, Arizona started strong with a field goal, but BYU answered with a touchdown, securing their victory by keeping Arizona from scoring in the decisive moments.
Breakdown of Key Plays
- Noah Fifita led Arizona to the BYU 5-yard line but was intercepted under pressure.
- The Wildcats scored only 13 points from five trips into the red zone throughout the game.
- A crucial holding penalty negated a potential touchdown in overtime for Arizona.
Positive Takeaways
Despite the loss, Brennan highlighted some encouraging aspects. Arizona ended BYU’s impressive streak of scoring in 32 consecutive quarters. “We found some run game, and our defense held them scoreless for two quarters,” he said, emphasizing the positives amidst the defeat.
Season Overview
With this setback, Arizona now has a record of 4-2, currently standing at 1-2 in Big 12 play. Brennan acknowledged the effort put forth by his players against a tough BYU team, saying, “There’s a lot of positive in that game, and we need to be excited about that too.”
As Arizona moves forward, the focus will be on building from their performance and addressing the critical errors that led to their double-overtime heartbreak against BYU.
