Back at home, following a humbling loss a week before, Arizona found itself playing a struggling opponent in front of a small crowd. That could have been the recipe for a major letdown.
Instead, the Wildcats put together another dominant performance in a 41-13 win over Oklahoma State. The victory was the fourth of the season, matching the win total from the previous year, and marked the best 5-game start since 2019.
“I feel like this was a huge game for us,” UA coach Brent Brennan said afterward. “I feel like we
were playing an opponent that was going through a really complicated situation and not knowing exactly what you’re going to get from them schematically, who’s playing, who’s not. I thought our players did a great job of winning the game. Any time you can get a win in conference, it builds momentum, and we need that.”
The Wildcats, who are 4-0 at home this season, stay in Tucson for next week’s battle against unbeaten BYU.
Our full game recap from the win over OSU can be found here. Below is what Brennan, linebacker Max Harris and wide receiver Tre Spivey said after the victory:
Brennan on bouncing back from the loss at Iowa State: “As I continue to say, we measure everything by our standard of red line. And all week we talked about being accountable for last week’s game. When I think about this week and how we practiced and how we attacked the work, that part of the accountability, player, coach, all of us, everybody was all in on how we were going to get that done this weekend against a really unique opponent. It’s a Big 12 win, and I’m proud of how we came to work this week and how we battled through that thing and closed the door on it there at the end.”
On the offensive efficiency: “When we trust the scheme and we do what we’re supposed to do, and we do it red line, we get good results. And so it’s great to have that validation, because that’s obviously something that we’ve been preaching as a coaching staff. When we’re off the mark, you know, like we were at times last week, or when we’ve been that at times during wins other games of the season. I thought Noah threw the ball well, and it’s great to see those receivers, finish the way they did.”
On Noah Fifita having another 5-touchdown game: “Being a Division I quarterback on this level is hard. It’s really challenging, and you get way too much credit, you get way too much blame. Noah Fifita handles it with incredible class, with incredible dignity. He’s a great leader. He’s a great teammate. He loves Tucson. He loves the University of Arizona. I told (TV) like everyone in the world is trying to recruit him away from here, they’d offer him money and all kinds of stuff. And he’s chosen to stay because he loves it here, and he’s going to leave his mark on his program. I thought today was a good step in that direction.”
On the defense not allowing a TD for the third time: “I think it starts with how hard we play. I think that is a huge thing, I think it’s cliche, and lots of coaches say that, but I think when you turn on the tape, it looks that way. It looks violent, it looks physical, it looks like people running to the football. And I think that part of it is it can’t be overstated. But I also think that they’re doing a good job of settling in. I think Coach Gonzales has done a great job, and that staff, of giving those players clear understanding of what their job description is, and then helping them understand, okay, now you know what to do. And then here is the red line you’re going to attach to that. This is the effort you’re going to attach to it, this is the violence you’re going to attach to that job description.”
On the pass defense: “It’s interesting because at Iowa State, those three plays, they were there. It wasn’t like they got smoked. I mean, they were there, just the receiver made a great play. And sometimes that happen when it’s one on one. You can say that about Tre Spivey today, like that ball he caught, the guy could have tackled him right there. But Tre made a great play and got out and housed it. Or on the slant the guy ripped his helmet off but he still scored. So sometimes that comes down to that. I have a lot of faith in that cornerback room.”
On the run game not producing: “I think when they were putting eight and a half people in the box, and you’re going to be outnumbered running the ball, it’s going to be hard. Which is great. Like, that’s something we talk about all the time, like, take what they give you. So if they’re going to play us with no safety, or they’re going to play a bunch of man coverage, we feel great about our receivers and we feel great about our quarterback and his ability to deliver the football accurately, then we’ll live with that.”
On the offensive game plan: “I think Coach Doege’s done a great job with that. I think there’s a process. It’s not just what you think will work against your opponent, it’s also what can your team execute at a high level when you’re trying to put those ideas together? The offensive staff works incredibly hard to put together those game plans, and then our players did a good job of executing them. And I think that’s one of those things I know coming out of last week, we were really frustrated with our execution on third down, and I thought it was better tonight, or today.”
On having to replace a few offensive linemen due to injury: “You can’t ever have enough offensive and defensive linemen. You can’t. I thought the guys stepped in there and did an admirable job. And I think the guys that got beat up today we need them back, so they need to live in the training room. So we’ll get them a couple of rollout beds, and we’ll get them in there, and they’re gonna live in there full time.”
On having more than 200 yards after the catch: “I think that’s really exciting because those big plays like that, when you can break tackles. And the great thing is we haven’t seen that kind of show up yet quite in that way this year. So we’re really excited about that. And there’s a certain physicality, there’s a certain mindset that comes with playing with the football in your hands after you catch it, and so to see it show up today in a positive way was good.”
On Luke Wysong taking over punt return duties while also playing receiver: “Luke Wysong is one of those players that just continue to make plays and impress people as he continues to get more comfortable in the scheme and make plays and play more. He’s just a baller. I know he’s going to be upset tha he muffed that punt, but he ran up on that thing and tried to preserve those yards. And those things can be hard because you’re running up into the wash and you gotta take it. But he did a great job to get on the wall, like, that’s the other part of it is that he still finished the play. That’s a good example of red line. He didn’t just muff it and lay on the ground and be like, oh, feel sorry for himself because he didn’t catch it clean. He finished it, which is awesome.”
On Michael Salgado-Medina making a 57-yard FG after an earlier miss: “That’s why I put him back out there. And that field goal was an extra 15 yards longer than the first one he missed. I said, let’s go Mike. Money Mike, we got you, go out there and rip it. And he did. I think it was good from 65. It hit the middle of the Allstate sign. We got faith in that kid. And it’s hard, because anytime you’re going through a struggle like that, it’s frustrating, and you gotta deal with it. But to his credit, we talk about responding. We’ve been talking about responding this whole season. The next kick he goes out there and hits a 57-yarder? Let’s go.”
On personally unveiling the Sandstorm uniforms to the team: “I think these young men that are playing college football here, UofA, everywhere in college football. They care so much. They put in so much. And I think sometimes, because it can be a pressure life they live on this level, football has to be fun. And so how do we find ways to make it fun? And one of the funniest ways, or easiest ways, to make fun of the head coach looking like a jerk in a college football uniform.
“The funny part was that they weren’t sure who it was, because there was a visor so they couldn’t really see my face, and I was wearing Scotty’s jersey. We’re built similarly, Scotty’s much better looking, but we’re built similarly. So when I took the helmet off, like the players were shocked, it was a fun moment. I was really excited about those uniforms. I think that’s something fun for the players. I think I am a traditional football guy, and I do love our traditional uniforms. We’re blessed with the best colors in all college sports. We’re blessed with the best colors in all college sports. Although variety is fun, and it’s fun for the players and it’s great for recruiting, and so it was awesome.”
On facing unbeaten BYU next week: “We know that we’re playing a team that is established, that has been excellent for a long time, with BYU this week. I have an incredible amount of respect for Kalani Sitake and that coaching staff. We know these guys really well, and they have a great program. And so anytime you have a chance to play a great program coming off a win, let’s go. It’s going to be a big time football game, and I’m excited to see the city of Tucson show out. I know it’s Parents Weekend, it’s going be awesome. We’re looking for Arizona Stadium to be the number one game day venue of college football in the whole country next Saturday.”
Harris on being used to play in the heat and under the sun: “It helped a lot. We have an indoor facility, but we still practice outside. It’s not just embracing the heat, it’s not just dealing with the heat, we love the heat. Coach G always talks about I wish it was hotter.”
On staying consistent on defense: “Between the whistles is the most important play the game, and then after the whistle it’s done. So as a defense, we just want to focus on play by play, play by play, making sure that we’re locked in every single play, keeping our eyes disciplined.”
On using so many linebackers: “When you can play, when all the linebackers can play, we gotta find a way to get them on the field. Having all the things like versatility that we got in the room, I think it just makes us better as a defense, and I’m glad we got it.”
On defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales: “I’ve been around a bunch of different defenses and philosophies, and I think Coach G is definitely, probably the most unique that I’ve had, and he’s very experienced. He’s done his thing at previous schools, so I just trusted him. I saw what he had to offer when I was in the portal coming here, he told me a little about his defensive philosophy.”
On not allowing a passing TD this season: “I have so much faith in our secondary. I’m not too surprised with it, and I’m glad that every game they’re focused. Big plays may happen, but the main thing is keeping them out of the end zone.”
Spivey on his yards after the catch: “I feel like my mindset always, whenever I get the ball, is just be violent … and always get to the end zone by any means necessary. So whenever I catch the ball, I’m locked into the end zone. I’m trying to find my way through contact, through physicality or agility, find some type of way to get there is the most important thing.”
On bouncing back from Iowa State: I think the week of practice for us, as receivers, we was all hungry. Every single one of us was out there hungry, ready to make plays. Losing leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”
On Wysong: “We all know the type of talent he has. So he had the opportunity to go back there and return punts, and we see what happens, he makes plays.”
On having a 2-TD game in his home state: “I take a lot of pride in being from Arizona, like, genuine pride. I love being from here, even at my own school I was always talking about Arizona. Coming back here and being able to make plays and have a game like this just makes me hungry to keep playing.”
