University of Arizona
3-0 , 0-0
Kansas State
1-3 , 0-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
| Arizona | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
Ismail Mahdi Runs for 189 Yards, Arizona Holds Off Kansas State Rally for 23-17 Win
09/12/2025 | Football
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Ismail Mahdi ran for 189 yards, Noah Fifita had two touchdown runs and Arizona overcame a shaky start to the second half for a 23-17 win over Kansas State on Friday night.
Arizona (3-0) faced its first big test of the year after beating two smaller-conference teams by a combined score of 88-9. The Wildcats led by 14 at halftime, but let Kansas State back in it with a series of mistakes. They sealed the win with a turnover on downs, opening 3-0 for the first time since 2015.
Kansas State had 193 total yards and quarterback Avery Johnson was limited to 88 yards and no touchdowns on 13 of 29 passing.
Arizona led 17-3 at halftime on touchdown runs of 15 and two yards by Fifita.
Kansas State needed one play to get back in it.
Taking a direct snap, Jayce Brown weaved through a blockade of tacklers on the right side and raced past the rest of the defense for a 75-yard touchdown run - the first touchdown Arizona's defense has allowed this season.
After a three-and-out, Arizona punter Michael Salgado-Medina fumbled a snap and had his kick blocked, setting up Kansas State at Arizona's 13. Johnson scored four plays later on a 1-yard run to tie it at 17-all.
Salgado-Medina kicked field goals of 31 and 41 yards to put Arizona up 23-17.
Arizona was shaky in the opening 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, but shut down Kansas State the rest of the night.
Arizona plays its first Big 12 game at Iowa State on Sept. 27.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
KSU 3, ARI 0
KSU - Rodriguez,Luis 51 yd field goal 4 plays, -10 yards, TOP 01:27
KSU 3, ARI 7
ARI - Fifita,Noah 15 yd run (Salgado-Medina,Michael kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:41
KSU 3, ARI 10
ARI - Salgado-Medina,Michael 31 yd field goal 9 plays, 49 yards, TOP 03:46
KSU 3, ARI 17
ARI - Fifita,Noah 2 yd run (Salgado-Medina,Michael kick), 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:15
KSU 10, ARI 17
KSU - Brown,Jayce 75 yd run (Rodriguez,Luis kick), 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:13
KSU 17, ARI 17
KSU - Johnson,Avery 1 yd run (Rodriguez,Luis kick), 5 plays, 13 yards, TOP 02:35
KSU 17, ARI 20
ARI - Salgado-Medina,Michael 31 yd field goal 11 plays, 33 yards, TOP 05:21
KSU 17, ARI 23
ARI - Salgado-Medina,Michael 41 yd field goal 14 plays, 58 yards, TOP 07:30
