Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) hugs wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) as he celebrates his touchdown catch against UCLA in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023. The score put the Wildcats up 14-0.
Arizona wide receiver Kevin Green Jr. (0) signals his first down after getting the Wildcats inside the 10 against UCLA in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman runs over UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu in the first quarter.
A sentence that hasn’t been uttered in six years: the Arizona Wildcats are bowl-bound — and there’s still plenty of room for more wins.
In the final matchup as Pac-12 opponents, Arizona took down No. 19 UCLA 27-10 at Arizona Stadium on Saturday night to capture its sixth win of the season, making the Wildcats bowl eligible for the first time since 2017.
It’s also the most wins the Wildcats have tallied in a season under head coach Jedd Fisch; they matched their wins from the previous two seasons combined. Fisch started his postgame press conference with, “We’re bowling!”
“We’re excited about that,” Fisch said. “We’re excited about getting to that spot. Six wins is a big deal and for us to get there nine games into the season, I’m really excited about that. I thought we played a really good football team tonight and we played really good. When that happens, good things go your way. I thought our guys were ready to play all week.”
Arizona’s (6-3) second straight triumph over the 19th-ranked Bruins (6-3) also marked the first time ever the Wildcats have beaten three straight ranked teams; the UA beat No. 19 Washington State and No. 11 Oregon State before Saturday.
With Rob Gronkowski, who was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame this week, and other UA greats on the sideline for homecoming weekend, fans from Arizona’s “white out” crowd stormed the field. “U of A” chants echoed throughout the bowels of Arizona Stadium.
Former Arizona and NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski high fives the crowd in the Zona Zoo during the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ game against UCLA at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
“That was awesome. That was the best environment that we’ve had since I’ve been the head coach here,” Fisch said. “The crowd was great, they were into it, they stayed, they were fired up, the student section was awesome. I hope we don’t have to beg for sellouts. I hope they just start happening now. … Our kids embraced it and our kids loved it.”
UCLA’s defense, which ranks first in the Pac-12 in rushing defense and sacks, has been lauded as one of the top units in the conference, led by potential Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who had six tackles, three stops for loss and a pass breakup. The Bruins finished with 11 tackles for loss.
However, Arizona’s defense, which has allowed 10 or fewer points in four games this season (which hasn’t been done since 2010), “played fantastic,” said Fisch.
Arizona’s defense held UCLA to 2-for-5 in red-zone scoring. Two of those trips were off two miscues by the Wildcats that set up the Bruins in Arizona territory: an interception on the opening drive and Kyle Ostendorp’s blocked punt that was recovered on the UA 31-yard line with just over 11 minutes left in the game, when UCLA trailed 24-10. A pair of false start penalties, including one from UCLA left tackle and ex-Salpointe Catholic Lancer star Bruno Fina, backed up the Bruins offense that came up scoreless and turned it over on downs.
In the first half, UCLA had a field goal blocked by cornerback Ephesians Prysock; the Bruins also missed their first 42-yard attempt in the first half. Fisch said the two missed field goals were “big-time plays.”
Arizona changed up its lineup and inserted defensive back Martell Irby into a linebacker role alongside Jacob Manu, who led the team with 12 tackles and a sack. It’s the third time this season Manu has produced 12 tackles in a game.
“Whatever coaches bring to me Sunday for the game plan, I’m going to buy in,” Irby said. “That’s what our whole team does regardless. … I don’t even ask questions as this point. I trust my coaches from top to bottom. … Whatever they bring in to us, we buy in, we make it happen and bring home dubs.”
Irby, who played running back and defensive back for the Bruins before retiring for one season prior to joining the Wildcats in the spring, called his performance a “full-circle moment.”
Arizona defensive back Martell Irby celebrates after making a stop on a UCLA run in the Wildcats’ 27-10 win.
“It was just a great moment,” Irby said.
The Wildcats offense amassed 429 yards of total offense, including 129 rushing yards, which is the most the Bruins have surrendered this season.
In his fifth straight start, Arizona redshirt freshman quarterback Noah Fifita completed 25 of 32 passes (78%) for 300 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His predecessor Jayden de Laura lined up as a wide receiver in the second quarter, took a screen pass near Arizona’s sideline and attempted a cross-field throwback pass to running back Michael Wiley but it was incomplete. Wiley later exited the game with an ankle injury.
Fifita’s fourth interception of the season was targeted to tight end Tanner McLachlan thrown “into zone coverage and he wound up reading it wrong.”
“We just misread the play,” Fisch said. “The play should’ve gone to somebody else, but he snapped right back. … We all just reset and went to the next play. He reset, wound up making great decisions the rest of the game and made some spectacular throws.”
Each of Fifita’s three touchdowns were thrown to Arizona’s starting receiving trio of Jacob Cowing, Tetairoa McMillan and Montana Lemonious-Craig. To start the fourth quarter, McMillan, who ended the night with four catches for 81 yards, ran a corner route, pirouetted, high-pointed a pass from Fifita, despite smothering coverage from UCLA defensive back John Humphrey, and kept his footing in bounds. McMillan’s touchdown was initially ruled incomplete until officials reviewed the play and overturned the call.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) slips the tackle of UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson (36) after a catch in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
“I think you gotta give T-Mac credit,” said UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who is 1-2 against Fisch. “We always felt he was one of the top receivers — if not, the top receiver — in the country. The catches he made today, we had people on him, they were contested and he still makes the catch. … He’s a heck of a player. He ran two deep over routes, guys are draped on him and he makes the catch. Sometimes you just gotta tip your hat. He’s a really good football player and I thought the quarterback put the ball specifically where he can catch it and he came up with it.”
McLachlan posted a season-high five catches for 66 yards and had a critical 30-yard reception on third-and-8 near the end of the third quarter that extended Arizona’s drive and resulted in McMillan’s touchdown to start the final period.
“The throw to Tanner down the seam on third down was ridiculous. … The throw Noah made in the end zone to T-Mac, the ball was put in the only place the ball could’ve gone for that catch, and T was able to come down with it,” Fisch said.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) leaves UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano (20) on the turf after juking his way past on a scramble out of danger in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
The Wildcats were 11-for-16 on third-down conversions and scored on all five of their trips in the red zone.
“We made a big commitment (to red-zone offense and defense) and we really believe you get what you practice,” Fisch said. “When you practice and believe in red-zone offense and red-zone defense, I think we’re reaping the benefits now.”
Fisch said, “It was as good of a game as I’ve been a part of here,” as the Wildcats prepare for their final out-of-state road game at Colorado on Saturday at noon.
“I’ve said that now a few weeks in a row and I think that’s what makes it cool,” Fisch said. “That we can keep saying that we’re getting better. We’re not content with where we are. Our goal is to be better next Saturday at (noon) in Boulder than we were tonight at 7:45 (p.m.), but we will enjoy this one, our team is enjoying it right now. We’re going to get back to work and the best part about this is we get to do it again next week.”
Arizona will most likely secure a spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday for the first time since the ’17 season. Fisch said, “I think we should be ranked.”
“I really do,” he said. “I think we’ve earned that right. … I think our team has proven to be in that conversation. … If not, we’ll try to win the next one.”
Besides the Wildcats’ six wins, their three losses this season are by a combined 16 points, including two overtime games at Mississippi State and USC. Including Arizona’s win over UCLA last season, the Wildcats are 8-4 in their last 12 games, after starting 4-17 under Fisch.
“Our team believes they’re going to win every game we play and I think they’ve proven themselves that they can,” Fisch said.
Fisch added Arizona’s triple-overtime loss to USC as a “turning point in our program for this season.”
“Everyone ran into that locker room with a sense of ‘we belong.’ When you feel you belong, you go into every game after that with an expectation to win,” Fisch said. “When you feel you don’t belong is when you feel like you have to hope and pray.
“I think our team feels they belong.”
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) manages to hold onto the throw despite an elbow to the face from UCLA defensive back John Humphrey (6) for a Wildcats touchdown late in the fourth quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023. McMillian was initially called out of bounds on the catch, but was overturned on review and put Arizona up 24-10.
Arizona coach Jedd Fisch reacts after the Wildcats’ appeal on wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan’s catch was confirmed, giving them a two-score lead over UCLA late in the fourth quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Arizona safety Dalton Johnson (43) draws a crowd, including defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, left, after he stopped UCLA running back TJ Harden (25) short of the marker on fourth down in the fourth quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) finds his family and friends in the stands as other fans begin pouring onto the field at Arizona Stadium to celebrate the Wildcats 27-10 win over UCLA, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
An Arizona fan rides the crowd as thousands rush the field to celebrate the Wildcats’ 27-10 win against UCLA at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) hugs wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) as he celebrates his touchdown catch against UCLA in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023. The score put the Wildcats up 14-0.
Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes (2) forces UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) to lose his grip on a catch, stopping a Bruin drive in the third quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes, left, and defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei team up to stop UCLA running back Carson Steele in the first quarter Saturday. UA rolled 27-10 to become bowl-eligible after just nine games.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) slips the tackle of UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson (36) after a catch in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona wide receiver Kevin Green Jr. (0) signals his first down after getting the Wildcats inside the 10 against UCLA in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona defensive back Martell Irby (13) upends UCLA running back Carson Steele (33) on a run in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona linebacker Taylor Upshaw (11) runs down UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) for a sack in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) leaves UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano (20) on the turf after juking his way past on a scramble out of danger in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Former Wildcat and NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski trades high fives with the fans as he and Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch lead Arizona through the crowd during the Wildcat Walk to Arizona Stadium before facing No. 20 UCLA Saturday night. With the game ongoing as the Star went to press, find stories, photos and more at Tucson.com/Wildcats, or by pointing your smartphone camera at the NewsVu QR code and tapping the link that pops up.
Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado (9) stops UCLA running back Carson Steele (33) dead on his run in the third quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) pays the price for his leaping catch with a hit from behind by UCLA defensive back Kenny Churchwell III (23) in the third quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Former Arizona and NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski high fives the crowd in the Zona Zoo during the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ game against UCLA at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes (2) bulldogs down UCLA running back Colson Yankoff (7), stopping his run after catch for a loss in the fourth quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona running back Rayshon Luke (21) turns the corner on UCLA defensive back Jaylin Davies (24) and heads to the red zone before finally being brought down in the fourth quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman, left, tries to fend off UCLA defensive back Jordan Anderson while looking to stay in bounds and burn clock in the final minutes. UA ran for 129 yards, more than twice what the Bruins were allowing.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman runs over UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu in the first quarter.
UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) gets a throw under the coverage from Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes (2) in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
UCLA wide receiver Ryan Cragun (10) can’t get to a ball thrown behind him in the first quarter of the Brunis’ game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig gets hit by UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo on Saturday. The Wildcats improved to 4-2 in the Pac-12.
Arizona defensive back Martell Irby celebrates after making a stop on a UCLA run in the Wildcats’ 27-10 win.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita draws a crowd as he rolls out to throw against UCLA in the first quarter. Fifita again was steady throughout, throwing for 300 yards in the 27-10 win.
The ZonaZoo waves their foam Wildcat fingers at kickoff of Saturday’s game. It wasn’t a capacity crowd, but the UA fans still made a difference, especially in the fourth quarter.
Former Arizona standout Khalil Tate gets a hug on the sidelines during the Wildcats homecoming game against UCLA at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
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Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) hugs wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) as he celebrates his touchdown catch against UCLA in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023. The score put the Wildcats up 14-0.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) slips the tackle of UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson (36) after a catch in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona wide receiver Kevin Green Jr. (0) signals his first down after getting the Wildcats inside the 10 against UCLA in the first quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) leaves UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano (20) on the turf after juking his way past on a scramble out of danger in the second quarter of their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman runs over UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu in the first quarter.
Arizona defensive back Martell Irby celebrates after making a stop on a UCLA run in the Wildcats’ 27-10 win.
Former Arizona and NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski high fives the crowd in the Zona Zoo during the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ game against UCLA at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 4, 2023.
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