Last season, Arizona squared off with BYU in Provo as conference opponents for the for the first time since 1977.
Arizona and BYU were both in the Western Athletic Conference until the Wildcats joined the Pac-8 with in-state rival Arizona State in 1978 to create the Pac-10. The Cougars left the WAC to join Mountain West in 1999, before playing as an independent program from 2011-22.
When Arizona (4-1) matches up with 18th-ranked BYU (5-0) on Saturday at Arizona Stadium, it'll be the first conference matchup in Tucson since 1976. Following its 41-19 win over the Wildcats in Provo last season, BYU leads the all-time series 13-12-1 and has won four straight against Arizona.
Here are five memorable games between Arizona and BYU in recent years:
BYU placekicker Jake Oldroyd chips in the winning field goal over the Arizona line in the Cougars’ 18-16 win over Arizona in the Cactus Kickoff Classic in Glendale on Sept. 3, 2016.
2016
Score: BYU 18, Arizona 16
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale
The rundown: In the season opener at the Arizona Cardinals’ home stadium, the Cougars were led by two future NFL players on offense in running back Jamaal Williams and quarterback Taysom Hill. Hill threw for 202 yards and a touchdown; Williams ended the night with 162 rushing yards on 29 carries. After Arizona running back Nick Wilson’s 49-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats failed on a 2-point conversion attempt but had a one-point lead until BYU kicker Jake Oldroyd kicked a game-winning 33-yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock to give Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake his first win at the helm.
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) turns the corner in front of BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) for a short gain in the second quarter of their matchup at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018.
2018
Score: BYU 28, Arizona 23
Where: Arizona Stadium
The rundown: The Cougars ended Arizona’s honeymoon phase with first-year head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin’s history of coaching elite college quarterbacks from Case Keenum (Houston) to Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), coupled with the buzz Arizona star quarterback Khalil Tate generated after a breakout 2017 season — he landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a Heisman Trophy hopeful — had the Wildcats hopeful of making a splash after a loss in the Foster Farms Bowl the year prior. BYU running back Squally Canada’s three touchdowns, along with Tucson native Matt Bushman’s 24-yard touchdown catch, gave the Cougars an 18-point lead. Despite a 13-point fourth quarter by Arizona, the Wildcats fell short in Sumlin's debut.
Arizona and BYU (pictured in 2021) meet up Saturday as conference opponents for the second time since 1977.
2021
Score: BYU 24, Arizona 16
Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
The rundown: Once again, Arizona started a new coaching era with a season-opening game against BYU. This time, the Wildcats and Cougars played each other at the new stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders, the first game post-pandemic. Since the Arizona-BYU game was before the Raiders kicked off their season, it set a record for most-attended sporting event in Nevada sports history. Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz completed 34 of 45 passes for 336 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first start, but the Wildcats lost in a hard-fought battle to begin Jedd Fisch's tenure with a loss. It was the 13th loss in Arizona's 20-game losing streak.
Arizona's Spencer Larsen drags down BYU's Nathan Meikle in the fourth quarter of the teams' Sept. 2, 2006, matchup at Arizona Stadium in Tucson. The host Wildcats won 16-13 on a game-winning field goal in the waning moments by kicker Nick Folk.
2006
Score: Arizona 16, BYU 13
Where: Arizona Stadium
The rundown: After BYU tied the game 13-13 with a field goal, Mike Stoops' Arizona team put together a 13-play, 44-yard drive and burned 5:18 off the clock for kicker Nick Folk to make a 48-yard field goal with one second left. That was the first of two losses for BYU that season, before the Cougars won 10 straight games to claim the Mountain West championship and the Las Vegas Bowl.
Arizona head coach Mike Stoops hoists the Las Vegas Bowl trophy as linebacker Ronnie Palmer (33) looks on following the Wildcats’ 31-21 win over BYU at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Dec. 20, 2008.
2008
Score: Arizona 31, BYU 21
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas (Las Vegas Bowl)
The rundown: Arizona ended its 10-year bowl drought with a win over BYU in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl in head coach Mike Stoops' fifth season. Senior quarterback Willie Tuitama ended his UA career with a 325-yard, two-touchdown performance. Tuitama connected with seven different pass-catchers, including wide receivers Mike Thomas, Juron Criner, Terrell Turner and Delashaun Dean, tight end Rob Gronkowski, fullback Chris Gronkowski and running back Keola Antolin. Thomas set the Pac-10 all-time receptions record with 259. BYU's offense, led by quarterback Max Hall and wide receiver Austin Collie, had 444 yards of total offense, but committed five turnovers.
