TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Football Defensive Coordinator Johnny Nansen has been nominated for The Broyles Award, which honors the nation's top assistant coach in college football.

Coach Nansen has led the Wildcats defense to unprecedented success in 2023, rising to No. 35 in total defense from No. 124 in total defense a season ago. Arizona has seen outstanding improvement in rushing defense rising to No. 13 in the nation in 2023 from No. 124 a season ago.

The Wildcats, under Coach Nansen's leadership, have allowed under 100 yards rushing (99.4) per game for the first time in over 10 years. In 2022, Nansen's defense forced more turnovers (16) than its 2021 counterpart (6) marking an improvement by 10 leading to a four-win improvement which marked the third-largest win improvement in program history. The 2023 Wildcats have won seven games besting its 2022 tally of five and cliched a bowl game appearance for the first time since 2017. 

Arizona has seen top defensive talent like sophomore linebacker Jacob Manu rise in the individual categories within the Pac-12 and nationally. Manu is first in the conference and 28th nationally in tackles with 89. Sophomore defensive back Tacario Davis is seventh nationally and leads the Pac-12 in passes broken up with 12. Transfer defensive end Taylor Upshaw is third in the conference in sacks per game with 7.5.

The Wildcat's defense has been fantastic in the red zone and crucial situations such as 4th down and 3rd down. Arizona is 5th in the nation in red zone defense rising from 84th a season ago. The Wildcats are 9th nationally in 4th-down conversion defense, allowing opponents to convert just 30.8 percent of the time, rising from 92nd nationally a season ago.

Coach Nansen's efforts on the recruiting trail have not gone unnoticed as he helped the Wildcats sign a top-40 recruiting class in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. Nansen helped sign talented transfers such as Justin Flowe, Daniel Heimuli, Bill Norton, Sio Nofoagatoto'a, and Tyler Manoa as well as high school standouts Leviticus Su'a (Trinity League Player of the Year), freshman contributors Kamuela Ka'aihue, Dominic Lolesio, and Genesis Smith.

All these key pieces have helped the Wildcats to Bowl Eligibility for the first time since 2017 and currently the success of a four-game winning streak for the first time since 2019. Arizona has toppled three ranked opponents and held the opposition to 20.9 points per game, which is 36th nationally.

Arizona is back in action on Saturday with Senior Day against No. 16 Utah at Arizona Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. MST and the game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network.