University of Arizona
1-0 , 0-0
Hawai'i
1-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawai'i | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Arizona | 7 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 40 |
Arizona Defense With Five Takeaways, Fifita Adds Two TDs in 40-6 Win Over Hawaii
08/30/2025 | Football
AP Sports Writer
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Noah Fifita threw for a touchdown and ran for another score, Arizona's defense forced five turnovers and the Wildcats rolled to a 40-6 win over Hawaii on Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.
It was an impressive opener for second-year coach Brent Brennan and the Wildcats, who are trying to bounce back from a disappointing 4-8 season in 2024.
Arizona's defense had 10 tackles for a loss, including five sacks, snagged three interceptions and recovered two fumbles. Quincy Craig had 125 yards rushing and a touchdown on just seven carries.
Fifita connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Sam Olson early in the third quarter, pushing Arizona up 24-6 and giving them a comfortable advantage for the rest of the night. Fifita - a redshirt junior - is now the sixth-leading passer in Wildcats history with 6,126 career yards.
Hawaii freshman quarterback Micah Alejado threw for 157 yards and an interception before leaving the game in the third quarter with a right ankle injury. He battled a similar injury in last week's win over Stanford.
Arizona (1-0) jumped ahead 7-0 on its first offensive drive, starting with excellent field position after Jeremiah Patterson returned a punt 41 yards to Hawaii's 47. Four plays later, Kedrick Reescano ran 13 yards for a touchdown, slicing right through the middle of the Rainbow Warriors' line.
The Wildcats exposed the middle of Hawaii's defense again in the second quarter when Craig took a handoff and sprinted 54 yards for a touchdown and a 14-3 lead.
Hawaii (1-1) was one of the few teams in the country playing its second game of the season this weekend. The Rainbow Warriors beat Stanford 23-20 last week for their first win against an ACC opponent.
Up Next:
Hawaii hosts Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Arizona hosts Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
HAW 0, ARI 7
ARI - Reescano,Kedrick 13 yd run (Salgado-Medina,Michael kick), 4 plays, 47 yards, TOP 01:21
HAW 3, ARI 7
HAW - Matsuzawa,Kansei 34 yd field goal 15 plays, 59 yards, TOP 07:23
HAW 3, ARI 14
ARI - Craig,Quincy 54 yd run (Salgado-Medina,Michael kick), 2 plays, 55 yards, TOP 00:33
HAW 3, ARI 17
ARI - Salgado-Medina,Michael 35 yd field goal 12 plays, 48 yards, TOP 05:20
HAW 6, ARI 17
HAW - Matsuzawa,Kansei 41 yd field goal 10 plays, 52 yards, TOP 04:31
HAW 6, ARI 24
ARI - Olson,Sam 5 yd pass from Fifita,Noah (Salgado-Medina,Michael kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:09
HAW 6, ARI 31
ARI - Fifita,Noah 10 yd run (Salgado-Medina,Michael kick), 2 plays, 10 yards, TOP 00:47
HAW 6, ARI 34
ARI - Salgado-Medina,Michael 52 yd field goal 4 plays, -10 yards, TOP 02:10
HAW 6, ARI 40
ARI - Mahdi,Ismail 5 yd run (), 8 plays, 72 yards, TOP 03:50
