Wildcats Return Home to Host Huskies in First-Ever Meeting
Arizona Athletics
9/14/2026
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats (1-1) will welcome the Northern Illinois Huskies (0-2) for the first-ever meeting between the two programs this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. MST at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Saturday's game will be televised on TNT with J.B. Long, Mike Golic Jr., and Coy Wire on the call. It will also be broadcast live on Wildcats Radio 1290 AM with play-by-play from Brian Jeffries.
Arizona is looking to get back in the win column following the team's first conference game of the season last week at BYU. The Wildcats went 3-for-3 in the red zone last week to remain perfect in the red zone on the season.
For more news and notes on Saturday's game, continue below.
Arizona Notes & Numbers
- The Arizona Wildcats return home for a non-conference matchup against the Northern Illinois Huskies this Saturday at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
- Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on TNT and HBO Max with J.B. Long (PxP), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Coy Wire (reporter) on the call.
- The game will also be broadcast live on Wildcats Radio 1290 with play-by-play from Brian Jeffries. He is joined on the call by Lamont Lovett (analyst) and Mackenzie Hamilton (reporter).
- This weekend will be the first-ever matchup between Arizona and Northern Illinois, making the Huskies the only first-time opponent on the Wildcats 2026 schedule.
- QB Noah Fifita currently sits at 9,692 career passing yards, the second most in program history. He is 320 yards shy of passing Nick Foles (10,011 yards; 2009–11) for the program record.
- Fifita has thrown for 76 touchdowns and 9,692 yards in his collegiate career, marks that rank second and third among active FBS quarterbacks, respectively.
- Across 12 career non-conference games, Fifita has thrown for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding three rushing touchdowns.
- The Wildcats defense has allowed an average of just 70.5 rushing yards across their first two games, the fourth best mark in the Big 12 Conference.
QB Noah Fifita has thrown 76 career touchdown passes, the most in program history and tied for the most in the nation among all active FBS quarterbacks.
Fifita has also thrown for 9,692 yards in his career at Arizona, the second-most in program history and the third most in the nation among all active FBS quarterbacks.
Fifita is 320 passing yards shy of passing Nick Foles (10,011 yards; 2000–11) for first in program history.
The Wildcats hold a 7-1 record over their last eight home games at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Arizona's defense has allowed an average of 70.5 rushing yards per game this year, the 17th best mark in the FBS.
The Wildcats defense has surrendered just 43 points in the fourth quarter under defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales an average of less than a field goal (2.87).
SOME GAME THEMES: The Arizona Wildcats return home to Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson for a non-conference matchup against the Northern Illinois Huskies this Saturday night...Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on TNT and HBO Max with J.B. Long (PxP), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Coy Wire (reporter) on the call.,,,The game will also be broadcast live on Wildcats Radio 1290 with play-by-play from Brian Jeffries; he is joined on the call by Lamont Lovett (analyst) and Mackenzie Hamilton (reporter)...This weekend will be the first-ever matchup between Arizona and Northern Illinois, making the Huskies the only first-time opponent on the Wildcats 2026 schedule...Arizona has won three straight home games and is 7-1 in their last eight home contests dating back to the beginning of 2025...Saturday will serve as the Wildcats annual Hispanic Heritage game.
LAST TIME OUT: The Arizona Wildcats led the No. 15 BYU Cougars at halftime, but ultimately fell on the road, 28-17. Quarterback Noah Fifita led the Arizona offense with 230 passing yards and 38 more on the ground; he accounted for both of the Wildcats touchdowns in Provo. Some highlights from last week’s game include...
Notable Postgame Notes vs. BYU
- The Wildcats were 3-for-3 in the red zone for the second straight week to remain perfect in the red zone this season.
- Quarterback Noah Fifita’s 11-yard rushing touchdown on the Wildcats opening drive was the fifth rushing touchdown of his career and his first since scoring twice on the ground against Kansas State in 2025.
- Kicker Michael Salgado-Medina connected on his first field goal attempt from 37 yards. He is now 7-for-10 in his career on field goals 30–39 yards.
- TE Shane King’s touchdown in the second quarter was his first touchdown as a Wildcat. The 16-yard catch was also his first career receiving touchdown.
- Safety Quinn Olson made six tackles to set a career high in just his second game as a starter.
GOING NOWHERE FAST: Since 1996, Arizona defenses have limited an opposing offense to negative rush yards just four times. Northern Arizona’s -7 rushing yards on Saturday were the least allowed by the Wildcats defense since holding No. 22 USC to –20 rush yards in 1999. Across 122 seasons of Arizona Football history, the least rushing yards ever allowed in a game were –33 at Stanford in 1992 (28 attempts).
CATS COACHES: Arizona Head Coach Brent Brennan leads the Wildcats for his third season in 2026 and returns nearly his entire coaching staff from last year's 9-4 squad that earned a trip to the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl. Joining Coach Brennan at the top are Offensive Coordinator Seth Doege and Defensive Coordinator Danny Gonzales. Arizona is one of only 12 FBS programs in the nation to return their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and starting quarterback from last season. Among the Wildcats position coaches is just one "new" face, running backs coach Lyle Moevao, who was promoted into the role from his role as Assistant Coach - Offense last year.
NOAH'S ARC: Fifth year quarterback Noah Fifita, who entered the season as the nation's active career leader in touchdown passes, returned under center to lead the Wildcats offense one final time in 2026. Since taking over the starting quarterback role in 2023, Fifita has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest passers in program history. The California native already owns the program's all-time passing touchdowns record, and has the program's all-time passing yards record within striking distance.
SACK ‘EM UP: The Wildcats notched six sacks in their season opener against Northern Arizona, marking their first five-plus sack performance since tallying five in the 2025 season opener against Hawai’i. Since 1996, the Wildcats defense has notched five-plus sacks 44 times, including the two performances under current defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales. Prior to Coach Gonzales taking over the Arizona defense, the Wildcats logged five-plus sacks just five times over the previous 10 seasons (2015–24).
BROTHERLY LOVE: Arizona's roster features three sets of brothers: Noah & Dash Fifita, Tré & Kingston Spivey, and Jake & Jaxon Griffin. The Wildcats are one of 15 FBS programs with multiple sets of brothers on their roster, and one of 10 with three or more sets of brothers. Oregon leads the nation with four sets of brothers.
GOOSE EGGS: Since taking over as the Wildcats defensive coordinator in 2025, Danny Gonzales has authored an incredible defensive turnaround that includes six halves and 23 quarters of shutout defense over 14 games. Across those 14 games, 23-of-58 quarters (including two OT periods) have featured a zero in the opponents side of the box score — that amounts to nearly 40% of quarters being scoreless for the Wildcats opponents. To close out the 2025 season, the Arizona defense worked second half shutouts in three consecutive games against Baylor, Arizona State, and SMU in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl.
TOUGH SLEDDING: In the attempt to build on the momentum they built last season, the Wildcats face an uphill battle in scheduling this year. Following their nine win season in 2025, one that included a 6-3 mark in Big 12 play, Arizona looks to replicate their success in 2026 but this time against the toughest schedule in the conference. The chart below shows the total number of conference wins each team's 2026 opponents collected in 2025, and their collective win percentage.
WATCH THIS SPACE: Wildcats players have spent the last month-plus pulling in preseason watch list honors from all across the spectrum. They are led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who has hauled in seven watch list recognitions. In total, eight Arizona players combined to reel in 18 watch list selections.
CHART TOPPERS: Arizona has seven players that rank among the Top 10 graded returning players in the Big 12 Conference, per PFF. The group is led by safety Cam Chapa, who was rated as the No. 1 returning safety in the Big 12. Cornerback Jay’Vion Cole (2nd), tight end Cole Rusk (2nd), and quarterback Noah Fifita (3rd) also checked in among the top three at their positions.
Arizona Players in the PFF's Big 12 Top 10
- OL Tristan Bounds
- Big 12 Rank: 9th
- 2025 Grade: 72.3
- LB Taye Brown
- Big 12 Rank: 7th
- 2025 grade: 75.9
- S Cam Chapa
- Big 12 Rank: 1st
- 2025 grade: 91.4
- CB Jay'Vion Cole
- Big 12 Rank: 2nd
- 2025 grade: 86.3
- QB Noah Fifita
- Big 12 Rank: 3rd
- 2025 grade: 85.1
- RB Kedrick Reescano
- Big 12 Rank: 10th
- 2025 grade: 76.1
- TE Cole Rusk
- Big 12 Rank: 2nd
- 2025 grade: 79.2
CONSISTENCY IS KEY: The Wildcats are banking on consistency of leadership delivering results for the team in 2026. Following a nine-win campaign last year, Arizona retained their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and starting quarterback — they are one of only 12 FBS programs in the nation that can claim that. With that level of consistency of leadership, the Wildcats are among the top 8% in the FBS.
CASINO DEL SOL STADIUM: Last November, the University of Arizona and Casino Del Sol, an enterprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, announced a landmark 20-year naming rights agreement for Arizona Stadium valued at more than $60 million, the largest such agreement in Big 12 Conference history. Under the partnership, the venue will be known as Casino Del Sol Stadium. The naming partnership includes new exterior and interior branding, field logos, and digital platforms, along with expanded integration into national television broadcasts. The collaboration prioritizes the roles the U of A – as Arizona's flagship, land-grant university – and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe have in benefiting students, families, and communities across Southern Arizona. Through new programs and co-created initiatives, the partnership will deepen academic, cultural, and economic links between the university and the tribe.
WILDCATS IN THE NFL: The Arizona Wildcats are once again well represented in the NFL, with 14 players currently sprinkled throughout league rosters. Among the many highlights achieved by Wildcats in the NFL are the tremendous exploits of Tetairoa McMillan, one of the most accomplished wide receivers in program history and a first round draft selection of the Carolina Panthers in 2025. McMillan burst onto the scene as a rookie last year, pulling in 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns en route to being named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year, and PFWA Rookie of the Year. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Wildcats had four defensive backs selected, tying the NFL record for number of DBs drafted from a single program in a draft.
Current Wildcats on NFL Rosters (as of 8/31/26)
- Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, LB, Buffalo Bills
- Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Miami Dolphins
- Tyler Loop, K, Baltimore Ravens
- Genesis Smith, S, Los Angeles Chargers
- Dalton Johnson, S, Las Vegas Raiders
- Treydan Stukes, S, Las Vegas Raiders
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
- Jordan Morgan, OL, Green Bay Packers
- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
- Ayden Garnes, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Deshawn McKnight, DL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Nick Folk, K, Atlanta Falcons
- Jacob Cowing, WR, San Francisco 49ers
- Roy Lopez, DL, Detroit Lions
