TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Wildcats (2-1, 0-0) hit the road for their first Pac-12 Conference game of the season, a matchup against the Stanford Cardinal (1-2, 0-1) on Saturday afternoon. 

Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. MST with a television presentation on the Pac-12 Networks and a radio broadcast on Wildcats Radio 1290 AM.

Saturday will be the Wildcats first game against the Cardinal since 2019, a narrow road loss. Arizona is looking for their first win at Stanford Stadium since 2006.

The Wildcats carry a Top 25 nationally ranked offensive attack and a significantly improved defense into the matchup against the Cardinal.

A complete preview of the Wildcats Pac-12 opener can be found below.

ARIZONA NOTES & NUMBERS

• Arizona hits the road to face Stanford. Ted Robinson (play-by-play) and Yogi Roth (analyst) have the call on Pac-12 Network. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. MST at Stanford Stadium.
• The Wildcats are 14-17 all-time against the Cardinal including 7-9 on the road and 7-7 at home. Arizona has lost six straight games to Stanford, which marks the longest streak in the series. The last win in the series for Arizona came on Oct. 17, 2009, in Tucson (43-38 final). The last win at Stanford for the Wildcats was Oct. 14, 2006 (20-7).
• Arizona has been outscored 803 to 727 by Stanford in the series. Arizona's longest win streak against Stanford was a six-game run from 1991-1998. Stanford's current six-game winning streak (2010-present) is its longest winning streak in the series.
• Jayden de Laura's 196.0 passer rating against UTEP was the sixth-best mark of his career. Two of de Laura's top six passer rating performances have come this season (also: 207.7, 3rd best, vs. Northern Arizona).  de Laura's 79.3% completion percentage on Saturday was the second-best mark of his career (first: 84.4%, at Washington, 2021). de Laura now has 33 career touchdown passes at Arizona, tied for the 11th most in school history with Matt Scott (2008-12). He is two away from moving into the top 10.
• Arizona has gone 2-1 in non-conference play for the second consecutive season. It marks the first time since 2016-17 that the Wildcats have gone 2-1 in non-conference play in back-to-back seasons.
• 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.

14.67 — The Wildcats scoring defense stands at 14.67 at the end of non-conference play, the fifth-best mark in the Pac-12. Arizona allowed 36.5 points per game in 2022.

33 — QB Jayden de Laura's 33 touchdown passes at Arizona are tied for the 11th most in school history with Matt Scott (2008-12). He is two away from moving into the top 10. 

47 — WR Jacob Cowing has pulled in a reception in 47 consecutive games, giving him the longest active streak in the nation.

1,017 — With 89 yards against UTEP last weekend, WR Tetairoa McMillan eclipsed the 1,000 career yards mark and currently boasts 1,017 during his time in Tucson.

59 — RB Jonah Coleman broke off a career-high 59-yard run against UTEP. It marked the longest rush attempt by a Wildcat this season. 
 

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ABOUT LAST WEEK: Jayden de Laura threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns, and Arizona's defense shut down UTEP for a 31-10 win on Saturday night. The Wildcats (2-1) bounced back from an overtime road loss to Mississippi State last week with a dominating defensive performance. Arizona forced the Miners (1-3) into a fumble, a turnover on downs and seven punts in 10 drives before scoring a late touchdown. The Wildcats poured it on offensively after some shaky early moments, pushing an 11-point halftime lead to 28 early in the fourth quarter. De Laura led the way after throwing four interceptions last week, hitting 23 of 29 passes with no interceptions in Arizona's 14th straight win over UTEP. The Wildcats played a choppy first half against the Miners a week after turning it over five times against Mississippi State. Tetairoa McMillan turned a receiver screen into an 18-yard touchdown, but also lost a fumble near midfield. McMillan later had a spectacular one-handed, 37-yard catch to UTEP's 32. The Miners blocked Tyler Loop's 45-yard field goal to prevent Arizona from capitalizing. Arizona looked sharp offensively on a closing 57-yard drive, taking a 14-3 halftime lead when Michael Wiley bulled in for a 3-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats had a 333-159 advantage in total first-half yards. While its defense continued to dominate, Arizona's offense found its groove in the second half. Loop kicked a 38-yard field goal on the Wildcats' opening drive and Jonah Coleman broke off a 59-yard run on the next possession. De Laura kept the drive going by converting a third down with a flip throw to Wiley for a 15-yard gain, then found Jacob Cowing for a 2-yard touchdown reception. Montana Lemonious-Craig put Arizona up 31-3 early in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard touchdown pass, three plays after Gunner Maldonado snatched the ball from UTEP running back Mike Franklin for a fumble recovery.

CONFERENCE PLAY BEGINS AT STANFORD: Arizona faces Stanford for the 32nd time in program history. It's the first time since 2019 that the Wildcats have faced the Cardinal. Arizona has dropped six straight games to Stanford dating back to 2010. Arizona scored its most points against Stanford in 2012 (48) during a 54-48 overtime loss on the road. During the last matchup between Arizona and Stanford in 2019, quarterback Khalil Tate passed for 205 yards on 17-of-33 attempts with two touchdowns. Running back J.J. Taylor rushed for 110 yards on 16 attempts averaging 6.7 yards per carry. The Wildcats came away with a 43-38 win against the Cardinal in Tucson on Oct. 17, 2009, marking the last win for Arizona in the series. Nic Grigsby raced 57 yards for a touchdown with 2:57 to go and Arizona rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat Stanford 43-38. QB Nick Foles threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns outdueling Stanford QB Andrew Luck who threw for 423 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The two teams combined for more than 1,100 yards of offense.

CAREER BESTS: Junior QB Jayden de Laura posted his highest completion percentage (79.3%, 23-of-29) as a Wildcat, only surpassed by his performance in 2021 (84.4%) with Washington State at Washington.  Sophomore running back Jonah Coleman broke off a career-high 59-yard run in the third quarter against UTEP (9/16), the longest rush by a Wildcat this season. His previous high was 43 against Oregon in 2022. WR Montana Lemonious-Craig's fourth quarter touchdown against UTEP (9/16) was his first in a Wildcat uniform. He is the fourth different Arizona player (third wide receiver) to catch a touchdown pass this season. 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 against Mississippi State (9/9). 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).

OFFENSIVE OUTPOURING: The Wildcats offense put-up notable numbers against UTEP, posting their first 300-yard passing and 200-yard rushing performance since throwing for 350 yards and running for 216 against Colorado in 2018. Saturday's (9/16) 544-yard performance is the best mark for the Arizona offense since putting up 673 yards against Colorado in 2022 and the fifth 500+ yard game under head coach Jedd Fisch.

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.

DESERT SWARM: Currently, Arizona is in the top-26 nationally in the following defensive categories, rushing defense (24th, 90.7), scoring defense (t-26, 14.7), 4th down conversion percentage defense (9th, .200; 1st in Pac-12), red zone defense (7th, .556; 1st in Pac-12), and first down defense (21st). Arizona's defense has forced a turnover in seven straight games dating back to last season. Arizona has forced three turnovers this season, one in each of the first three games. Arizona has allowed 13 points in two home games marking 6.5 points per game allowed at home this season. UTEP was forced to punt on seven of its first 8 possessions. UTEP did not reach Arizona territory on five of its seven punts. Arizona limited UTEP to 1.9 yards per carry for a total of 49 rushing yards. UTEP's QB Gavin Hardison was held without a touchdown for the first time in 2023. Arizona has held opponents at home to 10 or fewer points in both wins. 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.  Arizona has allowed only 44 points in three games this year. The Wildcats scoring defense stands at 14.67 at the end of non-conference play; Arizona allowed 36.5 points per game in 2022. The Wildcats limited UTEP to just 49 yards on the ground, marking the 24th time that an Arizona opponent has gone for 50 or fewer yards since 1996.

RED ZONE DEFENSE: The 2023 Arizona defense has been solid in the red zone, sitting 7th nationally in red-zone defense (3-of-9, 55.6%). The Wildcats allowed one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown in the red zone in eight attempts.

LEADING TACKLERS: Linebackers Jacob Manu and Justin Flowe sit atop the Pac-12 in tackles. Manu is first in the conference with 27.0 tackles. He also leads the circuit in tackles per game (9.0). Flowe, the transfer from Oregon, is second in the conference with 25.0 tackles and second in the conference with 8.3 tackles per game. 

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.

WILEY VETERAN: Michael Wiley is the 2nd Arizona running back with 100 career receptions (110) 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 110 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.

LEADING THE NATION: Senior wide receiver Jacob Cowing 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 47 straight games, marking the longest active reception streak in college football. With 38 yards receiving (1 TD), Cowing has 3,782 (1,187 at Arizona) yards in his career (leads active players). He is 28th in FBS (since 1996) in receiving yards. His 23 touchdowns are second among active players, trailing only Zakhari Franklin (UTEP & Ole Miss) who has 37 touchdowns. 

NICE KICKS: 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. Loop kicked a 38-yard field goal against UTEP (9/16) to improve to 27-for-27 from under 39 yards in his career.

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 62-yard performance against UTEP has surpassed Brandon Manumaleuna into third in tight end catches and yards since 1996. 

AERIAL-ZONA: Jayden de Laura has thrown for 33 touchdowns during his career with Arizona. On the heels of one of his best completion percentages with Arizona (79.3%) against UTEP, (23-of-29). He threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns and has moved into a tie for 11th in Arizona program history with 33 career passing touchdowns. De Laura tied Matt Scott (33, 2008-12) and is two away from the top 10 in Arizona football history. He is also 13th in Arizona football history with 4,597-career passing yards sitting 324 yards behind 12th-place Matt Scott (4,921; 2008-12).

BIG TIME WIDE OUTS: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing combined between UTEP and Arizona has 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).

O-LINE: 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, Morgan leads the offensive line with a 75.4 offensive ranking through 169 snaps and not allowing a sack in three games played. Savaiinaea is second among Arizona offensive lineman with a PFF offensive grade of 74.0 (194 snaps), allowing zero sacks in three games.

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. He added an 11-tackle performance against UTEP, marking double-digit tackles in back-to-back games. Flowe has 25 tackles in three games with the Wildcats after marking 50 during three seasons with Oregon. 

WILDCATS IN THE NFL: The Wildcats are once again well represented in the National Football League this year with five former letterwinners 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
Jalen Harris*	DL	Chicago Bears
Lucas Havrisik*	PK	Cleveland Browns
Nick Folk	PK	Tennessee Titans
Gary Brightwell	RB	New York Giants
Demetruis Flannigan-Fowles	LB	San Francisco 49ers