FORT WORTH, Texas — When Arizona trekked to Texas last year, the Wildcats celebrated a come-from-behind victory in the Alamo Bowl to cap a historic season.
The only celebratory moment in Arizona’s 49-28 loss to TCU at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday was UA star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan setting the program’s all-time receiving yards record.
Arizona’s setback officially puts the Wildcats out of bowl contention. Arizona (4-7) won’t participate in the postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons. Brent Brennan is the third straight Arizona head coach to miss out on a bowl game in his first season at the helm.
“Everyone is disappointed,” Brennan said. “It’s hard when you go through a season like this. It’s challenging on every level. I love these players. I think they’re amazing and they come to work every day. They don’t complain, they just continue to bust their tails for each other. I think that’s really special. Now we have a one-week season.”
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita’s pass attempt to McMillan running an out route was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage on Saturday. TCU running back Trent Battle scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Horned Frogs a 7-0 lead; he scored again on TCU’s opening drive of the second half.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws a pass as offensive lineman Joey Capra blocks TCU linebacker Johnny Hodges (57) during the first half on Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, the Big 12’s leading passer, was pressured by UA defensive end Lance Keneley and threw an interception on the Horned Frogs’ second drive. Arizona free safety Jack Luttrell intercepted the pass for his third pick of the season, which tied sophomore Genesis Smith for the team-high this season.
Despite the first-quarter interception, the Wildcats failed to reach TCU territory on their first three drives and fell behind 14-0.
TCU running back Trent Battle runs for a touchdown past Arizona defensive back Johno Price during the first half Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
Arizona clawed its way back to a one-possession deficit after Fifita connected with tight end Sam Olson, who ran a seam route for a 51-yard gain to the red zone. UA redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chris Hunter completed the drive with a 17-yard touchdown catch, stretching out his body and tapping his toes to stay in bounds. Since becoming a starter last month, Hunter has emerged as the Wildcats second-best pass-catcher behind McMillan.
“I’m just excited about the development of him,” Brennan said of Hunter. “He’s making great progress. ... It’s exciting to see him play with confidence and make the plays he’s able to make.”
Arizona’s dime defense used a similar tactic it used last week against Houston, showing blitz with multiple defensive backs in the box and two defensive linemen in a two-point stance. The Wildcats either pressured Hoover or dropped back in coverage against TCU’s high-powered passing attack. Arizona forced back-to-back three-and-out possessions, but failed to convert TCU’s empty possessions into touchdowns. Arizona kicker Tyler Loop made a 53-yard and 43-yard field goal and trimmed the deficit to 14-13.
“I thought it was great how the team battled back there,” Brennan said.
With a chance for more momentum just before halftime, TCU converted on two third-down plays, including a third-and-18; it also gained 24 yards on third-and-25. The Horned Frogs also had an intentional grounding that knocked them out of field goal range, but Hoover’s 24-yard pass to wide receiver JP Richardson set up TCU receiver-converted-running back Savion Williams for a 20-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-short to take a 21-13 lead.
Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter (16) takes a shovel pass from quarterback Noah Fifita (11) during the first half of the Wildcats' game against TCU on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Williams’ touchdown was the first of a five-touchdown streak for TCU. Arizona’s only offensive touchdown of the second half was Hunter’s goal-line catch in the back of the end zone. Hunter had eight catches for 45 yards. Third-year defensive end Sterling Lane II returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown with a minute left.
McMillan’s 8-yard catch with just under 10 minutes left in the game officially put him as Arizona’s all-time leading receiver with 3,240 yards. McMillan passed current UA wide receivers coach Bobby Wade for the record. Brennan called McMillan’s milestone “really, really special.”
“It’s been a rollercoaster ride. God has blessed me with a bunch of opportunities, especially this opportunity, being able to put my name in the record books,” McMillan said. “At the end of the day, it’s a team sport. We didn’t win today and we don’t get to play December, so all we gotta do is pretty much play in our bowl game this upcoming week.”
Arizona will now face red-hot in-state rival Arizona State (9-2) for the Territorial Cup and look to spoil the Sun Devils’ chances for a bid in the Big 12 championship game — and ultimately a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Wildcats have won the last two Territorial Cups. The rivalry is “the biggest game of the year,” said Brennan.
“We have a great opportunity next week. That’s our bowl game, that’s our Super Bowl,” said Fifita. “Being able to beat them at our home, send our seniors off the right way and keep the Territorial Cup in Tucson, that’s the end all, be all for us. ... It’s huge. Give credit where it’s due, they’re having a great year and we have a chance to spoil that. That’s our mindset, that’s our goal.
“It’s perfect because, yeah, we didn’t make a bowl game, it sucks, but we’re full speed ahead to go dominate our rival at home.”
Extra points
- Saturday was TCU’s first win over Arizona in Fort Worth. The Wildcats beat the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth in 1999.
- Arizona had 38 net rushing yards on Saturday. TCU, ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in rushing defense, gave up an average of 190.1 rushing yards in the three games preceding Saturday.
- Second-year defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea, the younger brother of Arizona star offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, recorded his first career sack at the UA on Saturday. Jonah Savaiinaea limped off the field in the fourth quarter.
- Arizona cornerback Emmanuel Karnley was ejected in the fourth quarter for spitting at a TCU player. Karnley will be suspended for the first half of the Territorial Cup game.
- Arizona senior nose tackle Chubba Ma’ae, who has been out most of the season with a leg injury, participated in pregame warmups but sat out. Ma’ae can play in the Territorial Cup game on Saturday and medically redshirt to preserve another year of eligibility.
- Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado, who is out with a season-ending leg injury, was one of the captains for the pregame coin toss. Maldonado was the Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP last season.
