TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats (1-1) return home to Arizona Stadium for their final non-conference game of the year, hosting the UTEP Miners (1-2) on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. MST with a television broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.

Saturday's game will also be available on Wildcats Radio 1290 AM with play-by-play from Brian Jeffries.

This weekend's game will serve as the Wildcats annual Hispanic Heritage Night celebration. More details on the festivities can be found here.

Arizona looks to get back in the win column following a hard-fought, narrow overtime loss at SEC foe Mississippi State last weekend. The Wildcats have won 13 straight against the Miners and attempt to run the streak to 14 before kicking off Pac-12 play.

A complete preview of the Wildcats week three home contest can be found below.

ARIZONA NOTES & NUMBERS

• Arizona returns to Arizona Stadium to host UTEP. This is the 53rd meeting in series history. Jordan Kent (play-by-play) and Bob Davie (analyst) will have the call on Pac-12 Network.
• The Wildcats have won the last 13 meetings with the Miners including the most recent matchup 63-16 on Sept. 15, 2017, in El Paso. UTEP's last win in the series was a 33-17 result on Nov. 14, 1970, in El Paso. 
• Arizona is 22-6-1 all-time at home, outscoring UTEP 799-389 in Tucson. UTEP's last win in Tucson was a 51-14 final on Nov. 16, 1957.
• The rarest of feats took place between Arizona and UTEP on Nov. 8, 1930, a scoreless tie in El Paso. UTEP was known as 'Texas Mines' and was Independent. The game was played at El Paso High School Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The Wildcats finished the 1930 season 6-1-1 and did not allow a point in six of eight games played that season. That team was lead by Head Coach J.F. McKale and captains were Waldo Dicus & Bill Hargis.
• Arizona Football named its captains tapping Treydan Stukes, Jayden de Laura, Jordan Morgan, Jacob Cowing, Michael Wiley, Jacob Manu, Gunner Maldonado, and Martell Irby to lead the 2023 Wildcats.
• Arizona secured a top 40 recruiting class for the second time in the last two years. The additions of freshman Leviticus Su'a, Brayden Dorman, Genesis Smith, and Raymond Pulido have added to the depth of talent on the roster.
• Jayden de Laura threw 342 passing yards at Mississippi State (9/9), marking his 10th career 300-yard game (7th at Arizona. With two passing touchdowns last Saturday, he now has five in two games this year. De Laura is on pace for 42 total touchdowns; the program single-season touchdowns record is 33 (Matt Scott, 2012).

3 — Arizona held NAU to three points, marking the fewest allowed by the Wildcats defense since holding California to three points in a 10-3 victory in 2021. It was also the fewest points allowed by the Wildcats in a season opener since shutting out NAU 35-0 to open the 2013 season.  

8/161 — WR Tetairoa McMillan finished with 161 receiving yards on 8 receptions at Mississippi State last weekend, both of which were career-high marks.

10.5 — LB Jacob Manu currently leads all Pac-12 players with an average of 10.5 tackles per game. His 12 tackles at Mississippi State were a career-high.

46 — WR Jacob Cowing has pulled in a reception in 46 consecutive games, tied for the longest active streak in the nation.
 

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ABOUT LAST WEEK: Arizona rallied back from a 14-point deficit twice but couldn't complete the comeback as Mississippi State survived 31-24 in overtime. The game ended with Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura stopped inches short of a first down on a 4th-and-10 scramble. Despite that dominance on the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs never fully secured the game until the final stop. The Wildcats trailed 14-7 at the half after scoring on a 1-yard plunge with 2 seconds left. Arizona tied the game at 21 in the fourth quarter with an 11-yard touchdown from de Laura to Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona was able to hit a 36-yard field goal by Tyler Loop to send the game to overtime. The Bulldogs (2-0) were outgained 431-307 in the win. Will Rogers was 13-of-17 for 162 yards and three touchdowns, and the offense ran for 145 yards on 39 carries. Woody Marks finished with 24 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, his second-straight 100-yard game after failing to record such a game his previous three years. de Laura overcame those four interceptions to keep the Wildcats in the game. The senior was 32-of-46 for 342 yards and two scores and rushed eight times for 44 yards. Arizona running back Michael Wiley finished with 33 yards on the ground and eight catches for 60 yards in the game. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing caught seven passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. Defensively for Arizona, Jacob Manu and Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei both collected sacks and Manu tied with Justin Flowe for the team lead in tackles with 12. Arizona falls to 48-65-4 in road openers and 1-7-1 against the SEC. The Wildcats have yet to win a game on the road against the SEC.

FAMILIAR FOE: Arizona faces UTEP for the 53rd time in series history, holding a 39-11-2 edge in the matchup. Although these two teams have faced off quite a bit, the last time the Wildcats and Miners kicked off a matchup was Sept. 15, 2017.  The Wildcats have won the last 13 meetings with the Miners including the most recent matchup 63-16 on Sept. 15, 2017, in El Paso. The 13-game winning streak is the longest of the series. Arizona is 22-6-1 all-time at home, outscoring UTEP 799-389 in Tucson. UTEP's last win in Tucson was a 51-14 final on Nov. 16, 1957.

CAREER BESTS: Sophomore wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan reeled in a 55-yard reception for the longest catch of his career and recorded 161 receiving yards on eight receptions marking career highs. Sophomore linebacker Jacob Manu set a career-high with 12 total tackles and matched a career-high with 2.5 tackles for loss against Mississippi State (9/9). Running back Jonah Coleman made a career-high three receptions for a career-high 59 yards and his first-career touchdown reception in the win over NAU (9/3). Coleman now has five-career touchdowns (4 rushing, 1 receiving). Tight end Keyan Burnett reeled in a 17-yard reception late in the first quarter against NAU (9/3), marking the longest reception of his career (previous: 5 yards vs. Oregon, 2022). Like Coleman, he recorded more receiving yards on the play than he did during the entire 2022 season. QB Jayden de Laura rushed for a 53-yard touchdown against NAU marking the longest rush and rushing touchdown of his career. De Laura finished the NAU game with a passer-by rating of 207.7, the third best mark of his career (first: 211.2, at Washington, 2022).

RED ZONE DEFENSE: The 2023 Arizona defense has been solid in the red zone, tying for 9th nationally in red-zone defense (4-of-8, 50%). The Wildcats have allowed one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown in the red zone in eight attempts.

TURNING 'EM OVER: The Wildcats defense has forced a turnover in six straight games dating back to last season. DB Martell Irby forced a pivotal fumble through the end zone for a touchback with Mississippi State in the red zone last game. Dalton Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered by Daniel Heimuli against NAU (9/3) to open the season. The Wildcats forced five turnovers in the 2022 Territorial Cup including two interceptions and three fumbles and forced one fumble apiece against Washington State, UCLA, and two fumbles against 2022 Pac-12 Champion Utah.

ON THE BLOCK: The Wildcats blocked a field goal and returned 85 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter marking their first in 21 years (last: Gary Love, 2002, vs. North Texas, 60 yards). Davis's and Love's returns are the only blocked field goals returned for touchdowns since at least 1996 for the Arizona Wildcats. The kick was blocked by Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei and returned by Tacario Davis. Davis' 85-yard return was the longest blocked field goal returned for a touchdown in the Pac-12 since at least 1996 (next longest: 83 yards, Dennis Weathersby, 2002, for Oregon State vs. UCLA).

BIG TIME D: Arizona held NAU to three points marking the fewest allowed by the Wildcats defense since holding California to three points during a 10-3 victory in 2021. It was also the fewest points allowed by the Wildcats in a season opener since shutting out NAU 35-0 to kick off the 2013 season. The 35-point win was Arizona's largest margin of victory since beating UTEP 63-16 in 2017. Arizona has held opponents scoreless in home openers 40 times and held opponents to three points seven times in home openers dating back to 1899.

WILEY VETERAN: Michael Wiley is the 2nd Arizona running back with 100 career receptions (109) The other is Vance Johnson, who had 104 from 1981-84. Wiley's career-high in receptions was 36, which was posted in 2022. He made six receptions for 57 yards against NAU in the season opener. His 109 career-receptions are the most of any Arizona running back dating back to at least 1996. Wiley was second on the team with 8 receptions and 60 yards at Mississippi State during week 2.

SECURING THE FUTURE: Following the 2022 season, the University of Arizona and head football coach Jedd Fisch agreed to a contract extension through the 2027 season. Fisch has elevated the football program in two seasons, which included a four-win improvement in his second year as head coach. The four-win improvement in Fisch's second year tied for the second-largest win increase in a single season in program history. The 2022 season saw the Wildcats defeat No. 9 UCLA at the Rose Bowl, which was Arizona's first top-10 win on the road since 2015. The team went on to defeat Arizona State in the Territorial Cup two weeks later, snapping its in-state rival's five-game winning streak. The successful start to his tenure has been highlighted by historical recruiting success. Arizona signed its highest rated recruiting class ever in 2022 that ranked at the top of the Pac-12 and in the top 25 nationally. The program's elite recruiting was bolstered by the addition of key transfers in the portal. Player development has also been a staple of the program with a litany of offensive players rewriting the record book this season.

AMONG THE BEST: Senior wide receiver Jacob Cowing has been named Associated Press Preseason Second-Team All-American. Cowing earns a preseason AP Second-Team All-American nod for the first time since joining the Wildcats in the spring of 2022. In 2022, he led the Pac-12 in receptions (85), fourth in receiving yards (1,034), and tied for second in touchdown grabs (7) last season. Cowing's 1,034 receiving yards were the seventh-most in a single season in program history. Cowing has caught a pass in 46 straight games, marking the longest active reception streak in college football. With 38 yards receiving (1 TD), Cowing has 3,698 (1,103 at Arizona) yards in his career (leads active players). He is 34th in FBS (since 1996) in receiving yards.

ALWAYS RECRUITING: The Arizona Wildcats secured the No. 40 recruiting class (247Sports) in the country with key signings like Trinity League MVP four-star linebacker Leviticus Su'a, four-star quarterback Bradyen Dorman, safety Genesis Smith, and Alabama decommit offensive lineman Raymond Pulido. Included in this class were veteran transfers Montana Lemonious-Craig (WR, Colorado), Taylor Upshaw (DL, Michigan), Sio Nofoagatoto'a (DL, Indiana), Daniel Heimuli (LB, Washington), Justin Flowe (LB, Oregon), Bill Norton (DL, Georgia), Orin Patu (LB, California), and Tyler Manoa (DL, UCLA). It marked the second consecutive top-40 recruiting class and first time in program history that the Wildcats have posted back-to-back top-40 classes.

GO WITH THE FLOWE: One of the biggest signings for the Wildcats came on the defensive side of the ball and through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Former five-star linebacker out of high school, Justin Flowe, decided to transfer to Arizona prior to the spring of 2023. The linebacker has reeled in preseason honors since, earning the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, and Butkus Award Watch List honors leading up to the 2023 season. Flowe made 35 tackles (14 solo, 21 assists) with 2.5 tackles for loss over 10 games played at Oregon last season. He was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in 2021, after making 14 tackles marking the most by an Oregon freshman since Troy Dye in 2016.  Flowe became the first Oregon player since 2007 and the fourth since 2000 to record at least 14 tackles and force a fumble in the same game. He was a consensus five-star prospect, top-11 player in the nation, No. 1 inside linebacker, and the top defensive player in California by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. Flowe earned the 2019 Butkus Award in high school and was named 2019-20 All-USA High School Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today. Flowe made a season-high 12 tackles at Mississippi State (1 solo, 11 assists), and 0.5 tackles for loss.

SALUTE TO SERVICE: University of Arizona Football unveiled special Military Appreciation uniforms that will be worn on Nov. 18 against Utah. The team and University will honor those who have and continue to serve our country with a special edition Military Appreciation uniform during select games in 2023. The Wildcats have unveiled brand new military uniforms, switching from the white primary color with camouflage infused on the numbers and shoulders of years past to a blue primary home jersey with camouflage numbers alongside camouflage on the shoulders. Arizona will wear these uniforms against Utah on Nov. 18 during the Military and Veteran Appreciation game at Arizona Stadium.

BIG BOYS UP FRONT: Jordan Morgan and Jonah Savaiinaea lead a strong offensive line heading into 2023. Morgan and Savaiinaea were named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. The Outland Trophy honors the nation's best interior lineman from all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. Morgan was picked preseason Second-Team All-Pac-12 and returns to a dynamic Wildcats offense that was sixth in the nation in passing and number one in explosive plays a season ago. He was rated by Pro Football Focus as the top offensive tackle in college football, with a grade of 83.1, which ranks third in the nation. Morgan allowed one sack in 443 pass-blocking snaps. He was also named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List after winning the CATSYs Community Service Award. He recorded the most community service hours of any student-athlete at the University of Arizona in 2022. Morgan volunteered at the Boys and Girls Clubs and football camps racking up more than 145 hours of service. Savaiinaea was named Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. The sophomore offensive lineman has been selected to the Outland Trophy Watch List for the first time in his collegiate career after a freshman season that saw him start all 12 games. He posted a 77.3 pass-blocking grade (per PFF), did not commit a penalty, and gave up only two sacks as a true freshman in 2022. The St. Louis High School (Hawai'i) product was named 2022 FWAA Freshman All-American, All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, PFF All-First-Team True Freshman, and to the 247Sports.com True Freshman Player of the Year Watch List last season. So far in 2023, Savaiinaea leads the offensive line with a PFF offensive grade of 77.1 (130 snaps), allowing zero sacks in two games. 

STRONG IN THE KICKING GAME: Tyler Loop earned 2023 Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and has been selected to the Lou Groza Award Watch List for the second straight year. He appeared in all 12 games as the team primary kicker and kickoff specialist. Loop has made 11 straight field goals dating back to last season moving his career kicking totals to 32-for-35. He is 58-of-58 on extra points and 26-of-26 from under 39 yards. Loop made the game-tying field goal from 36 yards out to force overtime at Mississippi State last Saturday. The longest of his career was 48 yards at Washington on Oct. 15, 2022.

BIG TIME WIDE OUTS: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing finished seventh for a single season in program history with 85 receptions in 2022. With three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter against Colorado, Cowing eclipsed the 3,000-yard (3,629) mark for his collegiate career (2,595 at UTEP, 1034 at Arizona) while catching seven touchdowns. Cowing surpassed the Arizona wideout with the most career receiving yards Bobby Wade (3,351) from 1999-2002. Sophomore wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan led the Wildcats with eight touchdown grabs in 2022. It tied for first in the Pac-12 and was the most touchdown grabs by a freshman in program history. McMillan finished just three touchdown grabs shy of the Arizona single-season touchdown record (11) held by Juron Criner (2010, 2011), Mike Thomas (2007), Theopolis Bell (1974), Austin Hill (2012), and Shawn Poindexter (2018).

TIGHT END U: Tanner McLachlan continues to climb up the tight end record books at Arizona. He made 34 receptions for 456 yards and two touchdown grabs a season ago. McLachlan's 456 receiving yards are the third-most in a single season (StatsPass era, since 1996) for an Arizona tight end. His 34 receptions in 2022 are second-most in a single season for Arizona and most since Rob Gronkowski caught 47 during the 2008 season. Currently, McLachlan, with his four-catch, 47-yard performance at Mississippi State he has moved into a tie for fourth with Mike Lucky in career receiving yards (38). Surpassing Lucky in receiving yards (503).

AERIAL-ZONA: Jayden de Laura threw 25 touchdown passes during the 2022 season. In his first season, he moved into the top 15 at No. 13 in passing touchdowns in Arizona football history. With two more touchdown passes against Mississippi State last week, de Laura is now tied with Alfred Jenkins (30) for 12th all-time. Leading the way is Super Bowl Champion Nick Foles with 67 (2009-11), alongside Willie Tuitama (67, 2005-08). De Laura was outstanding during his first season guiding the Wildcats' offense. He completed 322-of-505 pass attempts for 4,312 yards making him 13th in program history in career passing yardage. 

WILDCATS IN THE NFL: The Wildcats are once again well represented in the National Football League this year with six former letterwinners active across the league. One of Arizona's most prestigious alumnus, tight end Rob Gronkowski, retired following the 2021 season after winning the fourth Super Bowl of his career. Gronk was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time First Team All-Pro selection, and was selected to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Over 11 seasons with New England and Tampa Bay, Gronkowski recorded 9,286 yards (5th all time) and 92 touchdowns (3rd all time). The most recent Wildcats to make the transition to the NFL are defensive lineman Jalen Harris (Chicago Bears) and linebacker Christian Young (Seattle Seahawks). For a complete list of former Wildcats in the NFL, see the comprehensive chart below. *Practice squad
 

Player	Position	Team
Gary Brightwell	RB	New York Giants
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles	LB	San Francisco 49ers
Nick Folk	PK	Tennessee Titans
Jalen Harris*	DE	Chicago Bears
Lorenzo Burns*	CB	Cleveland Browns
Lucas Havrisik*	PK	Cleveland Browns