Noah Fifita passed for 286 yards with a touchdown while leading No. 25 Arizona into Arizona State territory 11 times in the Wildcats’ 23-7 victory Friday night at Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) has won five consecutive games and three out of the last four games against the 20th-ranked Sun Devils (8-4, 6-3).
The Wildcats forced five turnovers, including three interceptions of Jeff Sims, who also fumbled and lost the ball on an exchange with Raleek Brown for another turnover.
Sims was 11 of 25 for 114 yards, while Fifita completed 28 of 45 passes.
Arizona scored its first touchdown on its sixth possession that was in Arizona State territory following Sims’ errant exchange with Brown.
Taye Brown recovered the fumble on the Arizona State 6 with 12:22 left in the third quarter.
Two plays later, Fifita connected on a 9-yard touchdown pass with Cameron Barmore to put Arizona ahead 10-7 lead with 11:36 left in the third quarter
After an interception by Treydan Stukes, Arizona drove from its 6 before stalling at the Arizona State 31.
Michael Salgado-Medina made a 49-yard field goal with 1:22 left to increase the lead to 13-7.
After Arizona’s defense forced a three-and-out, the Wildcats gained possession at their 40.
The possession ended with a 29-yard field goal by Salgado-Medina with 12:05 left.
Arizona’s five possessions in the first half reached Arizona State territory but the Wildcats scored only three points.
Quincy Craig fumbled the ball at the Arizona State 6 and Javan Robinson recovered for the Sun Devils to quell Arizona’s first possession.
The Wildcats’ second possession ended with a missed 45-yard field goal by Salgado-Medina.
Michael Dansby set up Arizona at the Arizona State 37 after intercepting a pass with 14:49 left in the second quarter.
Three straight incompletions forced the Wildcats to punt.
Arizona State scored first after driving 90 yards for a touchdown, capped by Sims’ 27-yard run with 10:33 left.
Arizona then drove the ball to the Arizona State 12 but Fifita was sacked for a loss of 12 yards by Justin Wodtly.
Salgado-Medina followed with a 42-yard field-goal attempt that was blocked by Keith Abney II, keeping the Wildcats scoreless.
Arizona reached the Arizona State 29 on its next possession before Salgado-Medina converted on a 47-yard field goal with one second remaining, cutting the lead to 7-3.
–Field Level Media
