TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Noah Fifita threw for 325 yards to become Arizona's all-time leading passer and accounted for five touchdowns, leading the Wildcats to a 42-17 win over Northern Illinois Saturday night after a shaky start.
Fifita was efficient despite being sacked four times, completing 31 of 34 passes to reach 10,017 career yards, eclipsing Nick Foles’ record of 10,011 from 2009–11.
Fifita threw for four touchdowns, extending his school record
to 80, and ran for a 30-yard touchdown that put the Wildcats up 42-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Arizona coach Brent Brennan left Fifita in despite the lopsided score, allowing him to break Foles’ record with a 7-yard pass to Isaiah Mizell. Brennan then called timeout, allowing Fifita's teammates to swarm him before his quarterback trotted off the field to cheers from the crowd with 4:48 left.
The Wildcats (2-1) needed a big game from Fifita after falling into a 10-0 hole in the opening six minutes.
The Huskies (0-3) set up an opening field goal by gouging Arizona with its run game and their defense sacked Fifita twice to force a quick three-and-out. Next play from scrimmage, Taron Dickens hit Cam Thompson in stride for a 52-yard touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
Fifita quickly snapped the Wildcats out of their funk.
The fifth-year player hit Chris Hunter in front of two defenders for a 38-yard touchdown pass, then took advantage of a blown coverage to find Mizell for a 14-yard score. Tre Spivey electrified the crowd with a spectacular one-handed 10-yard touchdown catch through a defender and Caleb Smith kept it going just before halftime with a 69-yard punt return touchdown.
Fifita's 3-yard TD pass to Tyler Powell opened the third quarter put Arizona up 35-10.
Northern Illinois: The Huskies had their eyes set on a potential upset by jumping out to the early lead. Arizona quickly put an end to their hopes with four straight touchdowns.
Arizona: Fifita rallied the Wildcats after the ugly start, etching his name as one of the program's all-time greats with another sterling performance.
Northern Illinois plays at Georgia State next Saturday.
Arizona plays at Washington State next Saturday.
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