PROVO, Utah — No. 15 BYU scored two second-half touchdowns to defeat Arizona 28-17 on Saturday, overcoming an early deficit and holding the Wildcats scoreless after halftime.
Arizona struck first when quarterback Noah Fifita rushed 11 yards for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
BYU answered quickly, needing just two plays to tie the game at 7-7. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier rushed for the Cougars’ touchdown.
Arizona regained the lead late in the first quarter when Michael Salgado-Medina connected on a field goal, putting the Wildcats ahead 10-7.
BYU took its first lead of the game in the second quarter when Bachmeier threw a 25-yard touchdown pass, giving the Cougars a 14-10 advantage.
BYU’s defense held Fifita and the Wildcats to 87 total yards in the first half, but Arizona regained the lead before halftime. Fifita connected with Shane King on a 16-yard touchdown pass, giving Arizona a 17-14 lead heading into the break.
Arizona would not score again.
BYU scored a touchdown in the third quarter and added another in the fourth to take control of the game. Bachmeier finished with 217 passing yards and three total touchdowns as the Cougars completed the comeback.
Arizona falls to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats will return home to host Northern Illinois.
BYU improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12. The Cougars will travel to face Colorado State.
(Photo by Benjamin Becher/West Coast Sports Media)
Based in Los Angeles, California, Martin is a freelance photographer with Martin26Photos, specializing in sports and portrait photography. He has made a name for himself in Southern California’s sports photojournalism scene, covering local high school and college events as well as media days. With experience capturing high-profile Division 1 athletics, Martin aims to expand his work to professional sports in the near future.
