5 takeaways from Arizona’s 40-6 season-opening win over Hawaii | Michael Lev

Was it smooth? No. Was it clean? Not really.

Was it exactly what Brent Brennan and the Wildcats needed?

Oh, yes.

Arizona had little trouble with Hawaii in the season opener Saturday night at Arizona Stadium, ripping the Rainbow Warriors 40-6. The Wildcats desperately wanted to put 2024 in the rearview mirror, and they accomplished that objective in blowout fashion.

That being said, they have plenty to work on over the next 12 days before Kansas State comes to town. With all due respect to Hawaii and next week’s opponent, Weber State, the Manhattan Wildcats represent the first true test of the season.

In the meantime, here are my top five takeaways from game No. 1:

1. Getting physical

During the run-up to the season, several coaches promoted the idea of “choosing violence” between the white lines.

Arizona was unquestionably the more physical team Saturday night, on both sides of the ball.

How often could that be said last season?

Tailback Kedrick Reescano set the tone on the Wildcats’ first possession, running hard between the tackles, shedding defenders and refusing to go down on first contact.

After Reescano scored to give Arizona a 7-0 lead, Hawaii responded with a long, methodical drive. The Rainbow Warriors faced third-and-10 at the UA 16. Micah Alejado hit Cam Barfield on a seam pass just beyond the goal line. It looked like a touchdown.

Genesis Smith had other ideas. Arizona’s junior safety drilled Barfield in the back. He couldn’t hang onto the ball. Hawaii had to settle for a field goal.

Another first-half Hawaii drive ended the same way. On third-and-14 from the UH 32 in the second quarter, Alejado connected with Brandon White just inside the right sideline. Gavin Hunter — making his first career start in place of the still-recuperating Treydan Stukes (knee) — smacked into White and jarred the ball loose.

That’s what you want to see from your safeties. Somewhere, Chuck Cecil was cackling.

“I love the way our defensive backs were triggering,” Brennan said. “That’s that moment of recognition, exploding towards the football and then getting there with bad intentions.”

2. Run-game revival

Although Arizona’s running backs had to make yardage on their own at times — a byproduct of Hawaii’s “plus-one” approach to run defense, Brennan explained — they got plenty of help from the offensive line.

I thought the line was more effective in the run game than in pass protection. The interior trio of Alexander Doost, Kaena Decambra and Michael Wooten, in particular, opened creases for the rushing attack.

By game’s end, the Wildcats had 183 rushing yards — a notable figure in multiple ways.

First off, it was the most yards Arizona has accumulated on the ground since Week 2 against NAU last year (188). Aside from the Utah upset three weeks later (161 yards), the Wildcats did not run the ball well in 2024.

Second, it was the first time since that NAU game that Arizona has had more rushing yards than passing yards.

Does the latter indicate that new coordinator Seth Doege will be more committed to the run game than last year’s offense? Maybe. It would be hard not to be.

Of course, it could just be a product of circumstance. The Wildcats never trailed and led by a sizable amount in the second half. That usually will lead to more run plays than pass plays. Arizona had 33 run plays and 23 pass plays — 31 and 25 after adjusting for sacks.

Doege did lean on the run game a year ago at Marshall. I also get the feeling that Brennan would like to run the ball more. As he noted, Arizona has three starting-caliber backs in Reescano, Quincy Craig and Ismail Mahdi. All three scored touchdowns.

3. Noah’s night

Arizona won easily despite quarterback Noah Fifita playing just OK.

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Fifita missed on several throws he’d normally make — firing the ball too high or too far out front.

How much that had to do with who he was missing is unclear.

Receiver Kris Hutson did not dress. Receiver Chris Hunter exited in the first half. Tight end Tyler Powell got hurt on the first offensive play.

It’s not as if Fifita didn’t work with freshmen Isaiah Mizell and Gio Richardson during the offseason — but he worked with Hutson and Hunter more. It doesn’t take much to throw off the timing of a pass play.

Fifita never would make that excuse, of course, and he deserves credit for managing the game well on a night when Arizona’s rushing attack and defense were on point. Aside from his first pass completion — a leaping grab by Tre Spivey on a ball thrown into triple coverage — Fifita generally kept the ball out of harm’s way.

Even against a so-so opponent like Hawaii, it’s encouraging that Arizona was able to score 40 points without its passing game clicking. Fifita can play a lot better, and he undoubtedly will as he becomes more comfortable in Doege’s system and gets some of his weapons back.

4. Defending till the end

What was most impressive about Arizona’s defense Saturday night?

You could say it was the Wildcats’ five takeaways — their highest total since the 2023 Alamo Bowl.

You could say it was their 10 tackles for loss, which included five sacks.

I say it was their defensive stand in the fourth quarter.

The game was basically over at that point. Arizona led 34-6 with less than nine minutes to play.

Hawaii had first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. The Wildcats could have taken their foot off the gas and let the Rainbow Warriors score.

Danny Gonzales’ group would do no such thing.

After an incomplete pass on first down, Gavin Hunter intercepted Luke Weaver in the end zone.

Not only was that a triumphant moment for the defense — keeping Hawaii from scoring and embodying Brennan’s “Redline” mantra that calls for all-out effort all the time — it was a redemptive play for Hunter.

Two plays earlier, the redshirt sophomore was called for pass interference in the end zone — setting up the goal-to-go scenario. As coaches like to say, it isn’t how you react to adversity, it’s how you respond. Hunter responded the right way — by keeping his head up, moving on and making a play.

5. More in the tank?

There are multiple ways to look at Arizona’s performance.

The Wildcats dominated on the scoreboard against an FBS opponent. That doesn’t happen often around here. No need to apologize.

They’re also capable of playing a more complete game. They had only 54 more yards than the Rainbow Warriors. Arizona was just 3 of 11 on third down. The Wildcats were whistled for eight penalties. Their passing game — from protection to throws to catches that could have been made — wasn’t sharp.

But Arizona also didn’t have multiple players who are considered starters. Besides Hutson and Stukes, the Wildcats were missing tackle Rhino Tapa’atoutai, linebacker Riley Wilson and cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew, among others. That’s not nothing.

The next 12 days for the Cats will be about sharpening their execution and getting those guys healthy. Anyone who’s on the fence likely will be held out against Weber State, which opened its season with a 45-10 loss to James Madison.

For players such as Stukes and Tapa’atoutai — who participated in few, if any, 11-on-11 reps during training camp after getting hurt last season — you’d like to get them at least a little game action before Kansas State. But even with those two, it’s not worth pushing it if they’re not ready. Arizona can beat Weber State without them.

More likely than not, we won’t know what this team is truly capable of until Game 3. If the Wildcats can keep progressing and get a little healthier, it could be a magical Friday night in Tucson.

Photos: Arizona opens at home with a 40-6 win over Hawaii