Big 12 after dark, anyone?
The overtime showdown between the Arizona Wildcats and the 18th-ranked BYU Cougars Saturday night in Tucson was expected to be impacted by Tropical Storm Priscilla.
The impact was felt at 5:50 p.m., when Arizona and BYU concluded the second quarter and went into a weather delay due to nearby lightning.
Seventy-five minutes later, along with a shortened halftime break, the Wildcats and Cougars resumed play — and Arizona swung back, but the Wildcats fell to the Cougars, 33-27, in double-overtime despite overcoming an early 14-point deficit. It's the Wildcats' first double-overtime game at Arizona Stadium since their win over Utah in 2015.
Arizona (4-2) has lost five straight to BYU since beating the Cougars in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl.
BYU's (6-0) triumph over the Wildcats on Saturday made the Cougars bowl eligible.
"We just battled the first-place team in the Big 12 for four quarters and two overtimes and we never backed down," said Arizona head coach Brent Brennan. "We didn't get the result we wanted, but those kids played their hearts out and that's something to be excited about. The goal is to win, and I understand that. We're a better football team. We're halfway through the season and we have a lot work on, but we have a lot to feel good about. ... The thing that's so hard about it is that we were unable to get it done."
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan fires up his squad as the rain falls in the second quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Turning Point
For Arizona, the turning point happened in the second quarter. The first third-and-long situation of the night for BYU resulted in an incomplete pass by BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who was the Cougars' second-leading rusher behind BYU star running back LJ Martin, who had 25 carries for 162 yards and a touchdown.
Martin and Bachmeier combined for 47 carries and 251 yards on the ground — BYU had 51 rushes for 258 yards as a team.
In the drive after the weather delay in the second quarter, BYU opted to fake punt, but punter Sam Vander Haar was tackled short of the line of gain by safety Dalton Johnson.
Trailing 14-7, the Wildcats scored 17 straight points, including 10 points to end the first half to take a 17-14 lead at halftime.
The turning point of the game?
Arizona led BYU 24-17 with 4:08 remaining, but went three-and-out. Australian punter Isaac Lovison's tackle on BYU's Parker Kingston, who had five receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, save a potential touchdown. An 11-play drive, capped by Bachmeier's 2-yard touchdown, tied the game with 19 seconds remaining.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) sprints out of the pocket as the BYU defense flushes him out during the first overtime in their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Offensive MVP
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita completed 25 of 45 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Fifita connected with seven different pass catchers.
Fifita's top target was senior wide receiver Kris Hutson, who hauled in a season-high nine catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. It's the most yards for Hutson since last season when he played at Washington State.
Fifita's second completion to wide receiver Chris Hunter was a 35-yard over-the-shoulder pass in the end zone for a touchdown with 40 seconds left in the second quarter. Fifita's 3-yard run in the second quarter was one of four fourth-down conversions for the Wildcats. Fifita passed Khalil Tate for the third-most career passing touchdowns (58) by a Wildcat.
"I thought there were moments there where Noah was playing great football and we were making plays and we found some run game," Brennan said. "People haven't run the ball on them like that. I thought that was a positive."
Fifita nearly completed a game-tying touchdown to wide receiver Javin Whatley in the corner of the end zone in the second overtime period, but the ball went off Whatley's fingertips.
Arizona wide receiver Kris Hutson, left, gets a high Wildcat hand sign from fellow receiver Chris Hunter after his touchdown catch in the first quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
"We need to complete that ball," Brennan said.
Defensive MVP
Arizona linebacker Taye Brown led the Wildcats with a career-high 14 tackles and combined for a TFL with safety Genesis Smith. Brown also broke up a pass by Bachmeier in the backfield. Brown had more tackles on Saturday than the previous three games combined. Brown, Smith and Johnson each had double-digit tackles on Saturday; Smith and Johnson had 10 tackles apiece.
Unsung Hero
In addition to Johnson's stop on the fake punt in the first half, he also recorded his first interception since the 2023 Territorial Cup.
A snap went over Bachmeier's head, but the BYU quarterback recovered, rolled to his right and fired a pass over the middle that was intercepted by Johnson. Between Treydan Stukes and Johnson's interceptions, Bachmeier doubled his season interception total on the season.
Even though the Wildcats allowed their first passing touchdown of the season, they didn't allow a passing touchdown the final three quarters and two overtime periods.
The crowd and Arizona defensive backs Dalton Johnson (43), Treydan Stukes (2) and Michael Dansby (25) celebrate Johnson’s interception in the third quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Injury Report
Arizona left guard Chubba Maae exited the game in the third quarter with an injury. Maae was helped off the field and replaced by redshirt junior Michael Wooten. Maae returned to the game in the fourth quarter.
Arizona defensive lineman Chancellor Owens was sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Here's who was listed as out for Arizona on the final availability report, which was released 90 minutes prior to kickoff on Saturday: wide receiver Jeremiah Patterson, defensive end Tre Smith (out for the season), defensive backs Jack Luttrell, JShawn Frausto-Ramos, Gianni Edwards, Dajon Hinton and tight ends Tyler Powell, Keyan Burnett (redshirting), Kellan Ford and Chase Randall, offensive linemen Jordan Brown and Keona Peat.
BYU star linebacker Jack Kelly was initially labeled doubtful, but was moved to a game-time decision on Saturday and didn't play.
What’s Next
Arizona's hits the road to face the Houston Cougars on Saturday at 9 a.m. on FS1.
It's the fifth consecutive game with a kickoff time before 7 p.m. PT. It's the first morning kickoff for Arizona since its last game in Houston in 2018.
Arizona is 2-3 all-time against Houston since their first contest in 1969. The Wildcats won the first Big 12 matchup with the Cougars, 27-3, last season. In Arizona's last trip to Houston in 2018, which was former head coach Kevin Sumlin's inaugural season at the UA, the Wildcats lost 45-18.
Houston is 5-1 this season and it's only setback is against ninth-ranked Texas Tech. The Cougars routed Oklahoma State, 39-17, on Saturday in Stillwater. Arizona beat the Cougars in Tucson last season.
"I'm proud of this football team," Brennan said. "I think we're making progress. I'm sick about the result tonight, but I believe in these players, I believe in these coaches and I'm excited what's coming the next couple of weeks."
Photos: Arizona loses lead in final seconds, game in double overtime to BYU
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) lunges to the line despite the grip of Arizona defensive lineman Malachi Bailey (44) putting the Cougars up 33-27 in the second overtime of their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Javin Whatley, right, has the Wildcats’ last-gasp pass glance off his fingertips after beating BYU defensive back Evan Johnson to the corner of the end zone on fourth down of the second overtime in the Cats' 33-27 loss on Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter (11) gets wide open to snare a catch in the back corner of the end zone to put the Wildcats up in last seconds of the second quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona wide receiver Kris Hutson (4) celebrates his first down catch in front of BYU defensive back Evan Johnson (0) in the first quarter their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Kris Hutson, left, gets a high Wildcat hand sign from fellow receiver Chris Hunter after his touchdown catch in the first quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan greets wide receiver Kris Hutson (4) at the bench after he broke open for a TD reception against BYU in the first quarter of their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) threads a pass through the arms of BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker (16) in the first quarter their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona linebacker Riley Wilson (16) stuffs BYU running back LJ Martin (4) after his catch on a short throw in the first quarter their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (3) gets hit trying to get through the hole against BYU in the first quarter of a Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) has the game winner shoot through his hands after beating Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) along the sideline in the first overtime of their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) sprints out of the pocket as the BYU defense flushes him out during the first overtime in their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes (9), defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) and linebacker Max Harris (4) put the squeeze on BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47), stopping his run in the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) hops out of trouble during a scramble in the fourth quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea (41) gets the clamps on BYU running back LJ Martin (4) despite the block from offensive lineman Ikinasio Tupou (71) in the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi (21) celebrates with running back Kedrick Reescano (3) after his bruising run gave the Wildcats a two-score lead late in the fourth quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (3) steps over BYU safety Raider Damuni (3) on his way to the end zone in the fourth quarter their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
BYU cornerback Therrian Alexander (1) does enough to deny Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter (11) a catch in their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU running back Preston Rex (12), left, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) pursue a loose snap during the third quarter against Arizona, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona linebacker Max Harris (4), top, and linebacker Riley Wilson (16) team up to stop BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) during their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona linebacker Riley Wilson (16) forces BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) to throw the ball away to avoid a safety in the third quarter their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake waits to get in a word or two with the officiating crew during a dust up in the third quarter their Big 12 game against Arizona, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey (12) out jumps BYU defensive back Evan Johnson (0) to haul in a first down catch in the third quarter their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU cornerback Therrian Alexander (1) tries to slow down Arizona wide receiver Kris Hutson (4), holding on to his shirt tail after a catch during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona linebacker Riley Wilson (16) stops BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) and forces the Cougars into a field goal attempt in the first OT, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan fires up his squad as the rain falls in the second quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) gets stacked up at the line in the second quarter of their Big 12 game against Arizona, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive lineman Dominic Lolesio (42) pursues BYU running back Preston Rex (12) in the backfield, fighting off the hold from offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell (63) in the second quarter of their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) gets hit by BYU cornerback Trayvon Beasley (15) and loses the handle on a throw in the second quarter of their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi (21) leaves BYU safety Raider Damuni (3) on the turf as he makes the cut upfield in the first quarter of their Big 12 game, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive backs Dalton Johnson, left, and Treydan Stukes bring down BYU running back LJ Martin his run in the first quarter of their Big 12 game on Saturdayin Tucson.
The crowd and Arizona defensive backs Dalton Johnson (43), Treydan Stukes (2) and Michael Dansby (25) celebrate Johnson’s interception in the third quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
With storms threatening, The Pride of Arizona color guard performs along the “Wildcat Walk” route, keeping the early comers entertained before the arrival of the Wildcats for their game against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Marco Hernandez, perched atop his father Austin, watches the goings on along the Wildcat Walk prior to Arizona’s Big 12 game against BYU, October 11, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive back Michael Dansby (25) gets loosened up running down some short throws before the Wildcats face BYU in their Big 12 game, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
