The Wildcats threaten late, but can't close the gap and kickoff the Jedd Fisch era with a 24-16 loss to the BYU Cougars in Las Vegas.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham (11) hurdles over Brigham Young linebacker Isaac Matua (37) on a return in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona wide receiver BJ Casteel (5) gets pat on the head from offensive lineman Josh Donovan (56) after his scramble ended up in a Wildcat touchdown against Brigham Young in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch pleads with the officials after the Wildcats narrowly missed a field goal against Brigham Young in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona's Stanley Berryhill III and Brigham Young defensive back Ammon Hannemann (22) watch the ball bounce away after Berryhill muffed a punt reception in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona running back Drake Anderson (8) hops out of the grip of against Brigham Young defensive lineman Tyler Batty (92) after his catch near the sideline in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado (9) separates Brigham Young tight end Isaac Rex (83) from the ball on an attempted catch in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sept. 4, 2021 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The prospect of Arizona and BYU forming a legitimate rivalry is real with both teams eventually heading to the Big 12.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Brigham Young linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) drags down Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) for a sack in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona receiver Stanley Berryhill III tiptoes down the line after slipping out of the hands of Brigham Young linebacker Keenan Pili (41) and continue to near the red zone in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona wide receiver Jamarye Joiner (10) may be on the sidelines, but he's in the game as he celebrates a Wildcat drive late in the fourth quarter against Brigham Young in the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona place kicker Lucas Havrisik (43) can't believe he missed a field goal against Brigham Young in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Brigham Young defensive back Hayden Livingston (28) comes away with the interception behind Arizona wide receiver BJ Casteel (5) in the Wildcat end zone, ending their scoring threat in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Brigham Young wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) stiff arms Arizona cornerback Isaiah Rutherford (2) on his way to the end zone in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) shot-putts a pass out of a collapsing pocket to running back Michael Wiley (6) against Brigham Young in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Brigham Young running back Tyler Allgeier levels Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado (9) on sweep in the fourth quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona safety Jaydin Young (3) brings down Brigham Young running back Lopini Katoa (4) behind the line in the first quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona wide receiver BJ Casteel (5) can't outrun the flying tackle from Brigham Young linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) in the second quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch talks with quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) during a change of possession against Brigham Young in the second quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Brigham Young wide receiver Keanu Hill (1) celebrates with wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) after Pau'u's catch put the Cougars up 12-0 in the second quarter against Arizona in the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona linebacker Treshaun Hayward (24) drags down Brigham Young running back Tyler Allgeier for a loss in the first quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) moves out of the pocket to find room to throw against Brigham Young in the second quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona quarterback Will Plummer (15) dumps a pass through the middle against Brigham Young in the first quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
University of Arizona vs BYU
Arizona defensive lineman Trevon Mason (90) slams into Brigham Young running back Lopini Katoa (4) stopping him cold and setting up a Wildcat safety in the third quarter of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., September 4, 2021.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
The latest news and notes from Las Vegas, where the Arizona Wildcats opened their 2021 season against BYU on Saturday.
The Cats lose to the Cougars in the Good Sam Vegas Kickoff Classic, extending their school-record losing streak to 13 games.
Key stats from Arizona's 24-16 loss to BYU and how the Wildcats' second-half rally got stopped.
The Wildcats don’t yet have enough talented players to beat BYU, not over 60 minutes, but the Cougars struggled to finish Saturday's game because the Wildcats didn't back off when others might've.
Arizona is favored for the first time since the 2019 season.
Jedd Fisch discussed a number of pertinent topics in his press conference on Monday, as the Arizona Wildcats turn their focus to San Diego State.