Arizona went on its first road trip of the season to officially start Big 12 play. Facing a whiteout in Ames, it was too big of a stage for the Wildcats as they lost 39-14 to No. 14 Iowa State.
The good news for Arizona, there is still a lot of season left. However, there was a lot that got exposed. It’s time to lick its wounds and prepare for next week. For now, here are the grades for the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching following the loss to the Cyclones:
Offense: D –
On the first drive, Ismail
Mahdi started the drive with a 23 yard run to get into Iowa State territory. Even with a third down conversion when Noah Fifita connected with Javin Whatley, the drive would stall out.
The second drive did not produce much of anything as the offense went three and out. It was the same exact story on the third drive.
Unable to find any rhythm, the offense continued to struggle and could not even move the ball into the Cyclone side of the 50.
The offense would finally start to move the ball after Mahdi ripped off an explosive 18 yard run. However, Fifita would throw his first interception of the season, killing the drive and any momentum the Wildcats had.
When the offense desperately needed it, a long march down the field would end with Fifita finding Kris Hutson from nine yards out to put Arizona on the score board.
On the first drive of the second half, the offense would stall near midfield and on fourth down Fifita’s pass would be knocked down by an Iowa State defender.
With another long drive, Fifita’s second touchdown pass would go to Tre Spivey from one yard out to try to inch back into the game.
In the fourth quarter, the offense needed to score quickly but the offense failed to produce much and punted the ball back to the Cyclones.
Just when it seemed like the offense had a chance to have any time of comeback, Fifita would throw his second interception of the game.
He finished with 253 yards, two touchdowns but two interceptions. Fifita missed many of his throws with most of them being short or behind his receivers.
Mahdi finished 85 yards on 13 carries. Hutson finished with six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown catch.
Overall, the offense had 360 yards in total offense, but could not finish drives.
Defense: D
Iowa State’s first offensive drive was not a successful one for the Arizona defense. Once the Cyclones moved the ball into Wildcats territory, Rocco Becht dropped a 43 yard pass to Chase Sowell where he landed at the one.
A play later the Cyclones punched it in with Becht from one yard out.
Needing a crucial third down stop, Genesis Smith and Dalton Johnson met Xavier Townsend in the backfield and almost caused a fumble. After review it was not a fumble and the Cyclones punted the ball on the next play.
Michael Dansby would be called for a pass interference on the third Iowa State drive, setting it up in UA territory. A series of plays later and Carson Hansen would power his way into the end zone.
Just when it seemed like the defense could get a stop, Becht dropped a 32 yard dime to convert on third and 11. However, Riley Wilson got his first sack of the season to end the drive.
After the offense turned the ball over, the defense was faced with a short field to defend and Iowa State would take advantage. Hansen would have a walk in touchdown and extend the lead for the Cyclones.
Coming out of halftime, the Iowa State offense continued its physical dominance and quickly moved the ball down the field and into the end zone. It would be Becht’s second rushing touchdown of the game.
After a trick play got the Cyclones down to the one yard line, Becht got his third rushing touchdown of the game.
Wilson would end Iowa State’s drive to start the fourth quarter with his second sack of the game.
Trying to find some reason to believe in a comeback, Treydan Stukes would secure the first turnover of the game for Arizona with an interception inside the Iowa State 15.
While the defense did allow for a lot of points to be scored, they were not complimented by the offense when they would get stops.
When the clock hit zero, the defense would allow for 399 yards and five touchdowns. It was easily the worst performance of the season, but hopefully it is the only bad performance of the season.
Special Teams: F
On the first drive, the offense was able to get into Cyclone territory but Michael Salgado-Medina missed his first field goal attempt of the night from 46 yards out. It would be his fourth miss of the season.
After the first touchdown by Iowa State, it converted a two point conversion with a rush by Gabe Burkle.
The day would continue to get worse for the special teams unit, as Johnson was called for a catch interference after an Isaac Lovison punt.
The bright spot for the special teams would come from Lovison who would punt four times for an average of 44.5 yards. He did not allow for the returner to make any plays.
Coaching: D
This is the first time Arizona was going to be challenged in all phases of the game, and in some ways it responded. In other ways it did not.
While the Wildcats were clearly outmatched, it did not prevent them from fighting for the entire 60 minutes of the game. Regardless of how much fight they showed, there was a lot of bad that showed in Ames.
Seth Doege got a little bit “too cute” sometimes with the play calling when the Wildcats could not afford it. On Fifita’s first interception, it was a play with a lot of misdirection that did not fool the Cyclones.
It felt like Arizona was finding success in the run with Mahdi but continued to pass the ball. If it ain’t broke, then why would you turn away from it?
Mahdi averaged 6.5 yards a carry, yet he only had 13 carries. Fifita finished with 46 passing attempts. Perhaps we see Mahdi’s carry count grow as the season progresses.
For Danny Gonzales’ squad, it was outmatched physically for most of the game. While it tried to match the physicality, there were still many missed tackles and blown coverages.
Brent Brennan still has a lot to learn about his team moving forward, but there were also some decisions that need to be looked at.
When you’re trying to give yourself a chance late in the game, you’re faced with a fourth and two, but decide to punt. Yes, you’re at your own 12 yard line, but what do you have to lose?
Then when the game is definitely out of hand, calling the last of your timeouts down 22 with under two minutes makes you scratch your head.
Arizona is fortunate that the next game comes against an Oklahoma State team who is a bit lost. However, it is up to the Wildcats to not overlook the Cowboys and to handle business next Saturday.
