Arizona vs. NAU: Players of the Game

TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 05: Giovanni Richardson #5 of the Arizona Wildcats runs after a reception during the first quarter against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Mulligan/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Ariz

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What is the story about?

The Arizona Wildcats handled their business against the Lumberjacks on Saturday night, easily winning 35-7. There were a ton of things to like about the game and a few things to ensure are fixed before next week’s Big 12 opener against BYU.

For now, let’s focus on the players who stood out Saturday, and there were quite a few to choose from.

Giovanni Richardson, WR

Game Stats: 8 rec, 96 yds; 1 car, 17 yds

I am going to challenge myself this season and not name Noah Fifita as a PotG. He was a stud tonight no doubt. But I believe Gio Richardson deserves to the credit

tonight. He lost a fumble early in the game (and yes it was legal based on what I researched), but he bounced back in a big way. Gio was pivotal in getting Arizona’s offense back into gear after two 3-and-outs to start the second half. The ‘Cats started their third drive on the 50-yard line and Gio touched the ball three consecutive times, gaining a total of 36 yards. Antwan Roberts punched it in on the final play of the drive for 14 yards. He was very consistent throughout the night.

Chase Kennedy, LB

Game Stats: 5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks

This was a tough call, but it has to be Kennedy. He was a major problem tonight for NAU. He was in the backfield it seemed on a near constant basis. On NAU’s last drive of the third quarter, Kennedy shared a sack with Jabari Mann on the first play, got penetration on the second and provided pressure behind Ty Pennington and forced him to Kevin Moorer Jr. for the sack. Overall great game for Kennedy.

Chase Ridley, P

Game Stats: 3 punts, 144 yds, 48 yds per punt, 50-yd long, 2 inside the 20

Ridley didn’t need to be used much, but when he was in the game, he was stellar. I know a lot of Arizona fans were worried about special teams coming into the year due to issues in the squad last year. However, I think Ridley might ease some of those concerns. His first punt of the night came in the third quarter and he booted it 50 yards, completely flipping the field. He boomed his other two punts and pinned NAU inside their own 20-yard line each time.