No. 15 BYU wears down Arizona in 2nd half in Big 12 opener
One good half isn’t enough to win on the road against a ranked opponent. Arizona was thoroughly dominated by No. 15 BYU after halftime on Saturday afternoon, losing 28-17 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams. It was the UA’s sixth consecutive loss to the Cougars and third in […]
On September 12, 2026, No. 15 Brigham Young University (BYU) overcame a strong second half performance from Arizona to secure a 28-17 victory in their Big 12 Conference opener at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Wildcats (1-1, 0-1) were shut out in the second half, outgained by 146 yards and held the ball for most of the second half.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was the driving force behind the Cougars' offensive success, throwing four touchdowns, running for one, and completing 16 of 26 passes for 217 yards. Kedrick Reescano contributed with 49 yards on 15 carries, while Gio Richardson added 48 yards on five catches before leaving with an injury. The Wildcats struggled after the break, running only 20 plays and failing to score after three of their four possessions.
BYU capitalized on a turnover on downs in the red zone, leading 27-17 with 6:10 left in the game. Despite Arizona's early success, including a touchdown drive early in the second half, the Cougars' defense held firm, allowing only 17 points in the second half. Arizona's offense showed promise early, with quarterback Noah Fifita throwing for 230 yards and a touchdown, and running back Kedrick Reescano contributing 49 yards on 15 carries.
However, a series of mistakes, including a hold on a crucial run and an interception by BYU cornerback Cade Uluave, ultimately led to the Cougars' victory. The Wildcats will look to bounce back in their next home game against Northern Illinois on September 19.
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