Every year, this matchup is a pleasant reminder of how far both programs have come in the last decade and how many Arizona High School Football alums decide to stay home at the next level.

An all-things-considered perfect showing from the Wildcats in a game they were rightfully expected to win. They breezed to their first victory, 35-7.

That doesn’t mean the Lumberjacks didn’t show the fight that has consistently kept both ASU and UA on their toes any time they schedule NAU as one of their first opponents (Northern Arizona pulled off the 21-19 upset against UA in 2021).

Lumberjack quarterback Ty Pennington and senior receiver Joey Stout’s connection helped NAU keep moving the chains and showed flashes of the effeciecy we’ll see when they face Big Sky opponents.

Brent Brennan put a major emphasis on Noah Fifita being a Heisman dark horse throughout the summer so I was curious to see just how sharp he’d be for a tune-up game.

His offensive line was in sync for the most part and easily allowed him to shake off the metaphorical rust. Fifita was extremely accurate (22/29) and made tough throws to finish with 262 yards (9.0 yards per pass).

“He’s so effecient,” Brennan said. “The first deep ball on the touchdown to Spivey was an incredible throw…Nothing that he does surprises us.”

Both of Fifita’s touchdown tosses went to AZHSFB alumni in Tre Spivey III (Hamilton) and Brandon Phelps (ALA Gilbert North).

Spivey and Fifita’s work this offseason paid off – their timing was impressive for game one. Spivey played like a bonafide WR1.

That 20-yard touchdown also moved Fifita past Willie Tuitama to No. 2 on the Arizona all-time passing yards list. Only Nick Foles is ahead of him in program history with 10,011 passing yards.

The Wildcat defense eviscerated any spark of momentum Northern Arizona could muster up.

Chase Kennedy had 2.5 sacks BY HIMSELF…whole team had five. Taye Brown put up 11 tackles for loss. Quinn Olson secured an interception too.

Brennan said it himself in the postgame press conference: “Hell of a day. Plain and simple.”

By the way, Tucson, I get that it isn’t basketball, but you can do better to support your NO. 3 RANKED Big 12 Preseason Media Poll Wildcats than this…

More sights and sounds from NAU at Arizona:

The post Arizona cruises against NAU, Fifita moves up passing yard list first appeared on Sports360AZ.





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