{
  "id": 5911414,
  "title": "Noah Fifita throws for 2 TDs, Arizona opens season with 35-7 blowout of Northern Arizona",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/noah-fifita-throws-for-2-tds-arizona-opens-season-with-35-7-blowout",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T05:02:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/noah-fifita-throws-2-tds-050237904.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Noah Fifita led Arizona's dominant 35-7 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday night, connecting for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Kedrick Reescano contributed two more scores on foot, as the Wildcats (1-0) kicked off their third season under coach Brent Brennan with a powerful performance. Quarterback Fifita, the only player to have played all five seasons with Arizona, completed 22 of 29 passes before exiting early in the fourth quarter. Arizona's defense held Northern Arizona to just 193 total yards, including a 7-yard rushing deficit, and sacked Ty Pennington five times, with Chase Kennedy accounting for 2.5 sacks. The Wildcats took an early lead with a 20-yard touchdown to Tre Spivey and a 21-yard score to Brandon Phelps. Fifita also ran for an 11-yard touchdown, setting up Reescano's 1-yard dive to put Arizona up 21-0 before halftime. Even though the Wildcats struggled in the first half, losing a fumble and giving up a field goal, they responded with Antwan Roberts Jr.'s 14-yard touchdown and Reescano's second 1-yard TD run to cement a 35-0 lead. Northern Arizona, although rallying from a 21-point deficit to beat Eastern Washington 34-27 in their previous game, had no chance against the bigger, faster Wildcats. Up next, Northern Arizona hosts Incarnate Word next Saturday, while Arizona will play against No. 14 BYU the following Saturday.",
  "summary": "Noah Fifita threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, Kedrick Reescano ran for two scores and Arizona opened the season with a 35-7 blowout over Northern Arizona on Saturday night. Arizona's defense held Northern Arizona to 193 total yards — minus-seven rushing — and sacked Ty Pennington five times, including 2 1/2 by Chase Kennedy.",
  "key_points": [
    "Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 2 touchdowns and 262 yards.",
    "Wildcats defense held Northern Arizona to 193 total yards.",
    "Noah Fifita ran for an 11-yard touchdown before halftime."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The decisive victory gives Arizona, in its third season under coach Brent Brennan, a strong opening statement, highlighting its depth and dominance over a smaller opponent.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Noah Fifita throws for 2 TDs, Arizona opens season with 35-7 blowout of Northern Arizona",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/noah-fifita-throws-for-2-tds-arizona-opens-season-with-35-7-blowout-5916316",
        "published": "2026-09-06T05:06:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}