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Noah Fifita breaks Arizona's all-time passing mark as Wildcats roll over Northern Illinois 42-17
- (AP) — Arizona coach Brent Brennan was not going to let Noah Fifita miss a chance to break the school's all-time passing mark at home.
- 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.
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Game Preview: Arizona vs. Northern Illinois
- Arizona recorded six sacks and held Northern Arizona to minus-7 rushing yards in its opener. That is an encouraging early disruption result under Danny Gonzales, but it came against an FCS opponent and does not establish the same production against Northern Illinois.
- After nine wins in 2025, Arizona retained its head coach, both coordinators and starting quarterback Noah Fifita. The preview identifies that leadership continuity as a strength entering 2026; it does not report a new play-caller, quarterback change or confirmed plan to rest starters against NIU.
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Arizona Pregame Notebook: Noah Fifita closing on on record
- Arizona gave all running-back carries against BYU to Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig. Brent Brennan cited their physical running against a bigger front, but said Antwan Roberts will get opportunities and the offense will need more backs. Ismail Mahdi's lack of carries was described as a game-flow decision, not an injury or permanent removal from the rotation. - Arizona receivers Tre Spivey and Chris Hunter have started slowly, according to the report. Brennan emphasized ful
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Arizona Pregame Notebook: Noah Fifita closing on on record
- Arizona gave all running-back carries against BYU to Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig. Brent Brennan cited their physical running against a bigger front, but said Antwan Roberts will get opportunities and the offense will need more backs. Ismail Mahdi's lack of carries was described as a game-flow decision, not an injury or permanent removal from the rotation.
- Arizona receivers Tre Spivey and Chris Hunter have started slowly, according to the report. Brennan emphasized full-speed routes and executing each concept even when a receiver is not targeted; poor route execution compresses coverage and costs the passing game opportunities. He did not announce a receiver depth-chart change.
- Arizona does not plan to force throws to get Noah Fifita the 320 yards needed for the school's career passing record. Brennan said game flow will determine in-game decisions, with keeping Fifita available throughout the season taking priority over chasing the milestone.
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- QB: Noah Fifita is close to making Arizona history and needs 320 yards to pass Nick Foles for most passing yards by a UA quarterback.
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- QB: Noah Fifita is close to making Arizona football history and needs 320 yards to pass Nick Foles for most passing yards by a UA quarterback.
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Receivers
- QB/WR: live i can get a sense of that, as i am up high and can survey the field.
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Receivers
- QB: Seriously: If the quick, small and shifty guys aren't strong enough to get off the jam on the line of scrimmage, they aren't getting open.
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Receivers
- QB/WR: I agree with this, and if you played any level of football, well at a high level, it's not hard to watch the game from a different perspective.
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Danny G
- QB/RB: exactly, i posted this problem tre has had every year prior to the game.
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Brennan Postgame Comments
- QB: we all like noah, but a "fifth year qb" knowing we need 4 yds shouldn't throw it 3 yds.
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On Gio...
- QB: i thought it was a late hit before we learned it also eliminated him from the game.
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- Coaching: A rattled Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita came into the press conference after crying.
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