Own it. Fix it.
That’s part of Arizona’s redline mantra under head coach Brent Brennan, and following the Wildcats’ first setback of the season last week, the UA responded with a 41-13 win over Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona’s triumph puts the Wildcats at four wins, matching their 2024 season total. Arizona’s 4-1 record is the best start since the 2019 season. Saturday also marked Arizona’s first victory in Big 12 play this season.
“All week, we talked about being accountable for last week’s game,” Brennan said. “When I think about this week and how we practiced and how we attacked the work, that part of the accountability ... everyone was all-in on how we were going to get that done this weekend against a unique opponent.”
Arizona’s defense didn’t allow a touchdown for the third time this season. The Cowboys’ only touchdown was a pick-six in the fourth quarter.
“Keeping them out of the end zone, we take a lot of pride in that,” said Arizona linebacker Max Harris. “Everyone knows what to do and how do it, all 11 (players) to the ball with bad humor and keeping them out of the end zone.”
Arizona had 478 yards of total offense to Oklahoma State’s 158 yards, “which is just fantastic,” Brennan said, albeit the Wildcats had 45 rushing yards and averaged 1.4 yards per carry. It’s the most yards of total offense for Arizona since the Territorial Cup win in 2023.
“There’s a lot of really good stuff in that game,” Brennan said. “It’s a Big 12 win and I’m proud of how we came to work this week and how we battled through that thing and closed the door on it at the end. When I think about this team, I’m just proud of these guys. I’m proud of our coaches and players and how they continue to work, how they continue to play for each other, how they play for the community and how they play for this university.”
Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey (12) celebrates after ramming home a touchdown and losing his helmet in the process against Oklahoma State during the first quarter, Oct. 4, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Turning Point
Arizona’s defense — which used a four-linebacker lineup of Taye Brown, Harris, Chase Kennedy and Riley Wilson — forced a three-and-out on the opening drive and held Oklahoma State to a field goal.
With just over a minute remaining in the first quarter, Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey caught a slant pass on third-and-4 on the Oklahoma State 22-yard line, stopped on a dime and juked OSU cornerback JK Johnson, avoided another tackle and dragged cornerback Cam Smith in the end zone.
Spivey matched his season touchdown reception total on Saturday. He also had a 13-yard touchdown catch that resulted in his helmet getting ripped off. Spivey’s second touchdown put Arizona ahead 14-3 after the first quarter.
“My mindset, whenever I get the ball, is to be violent, be violent with the ball,” Spivey said. “Get into the end zone by any means necessary. Whenever I catch the ball, I’m locked into the end zone, fighting my way through contact, through physicality or agility — find some type of way to get into the end zone. That’s the most important thing.”
Spivey had the best game of his collegiate career with three receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Spivey had a 45-yard catch and was tackled on the OSU 1-yard line with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita fumbled the ensuing play on the goal line, which was recovered by Oklahoma State. Arizona’s defense forced a three-and-out on the following possession, which was answered with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Javin Whatley to put the Wildcats ahead 31-6.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) weaves his way through a collapsing pocket to get off a completion against Oklahoma State during the third quarter, Oct. 4, 2025, in Tucson.
Offensive MVP
Fifita, who also threw an interception in the first half, completed 28 of 38 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns, the most passing yards since the season-opening win over New Mexico last season.
It’s the fourth five-touchdown performance of Fifita’s career. Fifita threw touchdown passes to four receivers.
Fifita’s third touchdown pass was a 47-yarder to wide receiver Luke Wysong on a scramble drill. Fifita avoided two pressuring defenders, rolled to his right and connected with Wysong, who caught the pass on the 28-yard line and ran for a touchdown — the first touchdown of Wysong’s UA career.
Fifita passed Anu Solomon for the fourth-most career passing yards in UA history.
“I thought Noah threw the ball well and it was great to see those receivers finish the way that they did,” Brennan said.
Defensive MVP
Arizona cornerback Jay’Vion Cole, who started in place of the injured Michael Dansby, had four tackles, an interception, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
Cole’s interception marked the seventh interception of the season for Arizona, which ranks first in the Big 12. The Wildcats had eight interceptions last season.
Cole had one of Arizona’s 11 tackles for loss. Others with tackles for loss include linebacker Chase Kennedy, safety Dalton Johnson, linebacker Taye Brown, defensive tackle Deshawn McKnight, defensive tackle Julian Savaiinaea, defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea and linebackers Riley Wilson, Myron Robinson and Jabari Mann.
Unsung Hero
With wide receiver and punt returner Jeremiah Patterson out for injury, Wysong handled punt returning against Oklahoma State.
Wysong had five returns for 47 yards, including a 23-yard return. Wysong led the Wildcats with 139 all-purpose yards.
“Wysong is a dog,” Spivey said. “You see it every day in practice. ... He had the opportunity to go back there and return punts and you see what happens, he makes plays. If you look across the board, our receivers — especially Luke — are just hungry. I love that about our receivers, we’re just hungry.”
Arizona linebacker Max Harris (4), left, and a teammate high-low Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores (6) on his keeper during the second quarter, Oct. 4, 2025, in Tucson.
Injury Report
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (leg) played for the first time since the season-opening win over Hawaii.
Dansby entered Saturday as a game-time decision for an undisclosed injury, but did not play. Cole started at cornerback opposite of cornerback Ayden Garnes.
Arizona left tackle Ty Buchanan and left guard Chubba Maae both exited the game with injuries. The left side of Arizona’s offensive line became left tackle Rhino Tapa’atoutai and Georgia Tech transfer Jordan Brown, who made his season debut on Saturday. Brown was Arizona’s starting left guard in the spring, but suffered an upper-body injury that sidelined him for the spring and training camp. Michael Wooten, who started the first two games at left guard, started the second half at left guard.
Other players out on Saturday include Patterson, defensive backs Jshawn Frausto-Ramos, Dajon Hinton and Gianni Edwards, tight ends Chase Randall, Kellan Ford and Tyler Powell, offensive lineman Keona Peat and wide receiver Landon Kelsey.
Arizona defensive back Dalton Johnson (43) charges in to drag down Oklahoma State running back Trent Howland (24), breaking up the option during the second quarter, Oct. 4, 2025, in Tucson.
What’s Next
Arizona (4-1) hosts undefeated and 23rd-ranked BYU (5-0) Saturday, Oct. 11, at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
Saturday will be BYU’s first trip to Tucson since the 2018 season, when the Cougars beat the Wildcats in former head coach Kevin Sumlin’s first game at Arizona.
Arizona lost to BYU, 41-19, last season in Provo in the first conference matchup between the two teams.
The Wildcats are 12-13-1 all-time against BYU dating back to 1936. Arizona and BYU have matched up as non-conference opponents in recent years. Arizona kicked off the 2016 season against BYU in Glendale, then opened up the Sumlin era in 2018 with a loss in Tucson. Arizona also started the Jedd Fisch era against BYU in Las Vegas, with the Cougars winning 24-16.
Since Arizona beat BYU in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl, the Wildcats have lost four straight games to the Cougars.
“We know these guys really well and they have a great program,” Brennan said of BYU. “Any time you have a chance to play a great program coming off a win, let’s go.”
