Despite raised expectations with the Arizona football program this season, UA head coach Brent Brennan fully anticipated the Wildcats to struggle at points this season, especially in the beginning stages of his first season at the helm.
The Wildcats (2-1) enter their Big 12 opener against No. 10 Utah (4-0) on Saturday in Salt Lake City with plenty of wounds from the nonconference schedule, including a 31-7 thumping by Kansas State.
But “it’s football,” Brennan said. “There are always things that are complicated, especially when you have a transition. Lots of new pieces, new coaching staff, new way you go about business. That’s not surprising to me at all.”
Arizona is looking to find its mojo and get back on the winning track, but the Wildcats face arguably their toughest challenge of the season — and it’s at Rice-Eccles Stadium, a place Utah rarely loses at. Since the start of the 2018 season, the Utes are 34-3 at home.
“The biggest thing is we know we’re going into a hostile environment. I want to see us handle the moment and play clean football, which is hard, because against this team, this is a team that frustrates you because of how they play,” Brennan said. “There’s going to be a loss-yardage play, but we have to line up and play the next play.
“There’s never been a perfect football game played, and that’s something we have to continue to understand, learn and grow from and play the next play.”
Over the last nearly dozen years, the Wildcats and Utes have squared off as Pac-12 opponents. Utah, Arizona, Colorado and Arizona State were the “four corners” additions to the 16-team Big 12.
In their time as conference foes, Utah leads the head-to-head series with a 6-5 record. After winning five straight heading into last season’s contest, Arizona routed Utah 42-18 last season in Tucson. The Wildcats haven’t won in Salt Lake City since 2014 and were out-scored 87-30 in the last two contests combined at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Here’s a look at five memorable matchups between Arizona and Utah over the years:
2023
Score: No. 17 Arizona 42, No. 22 Utah 18
Where: Arizona Stadium (Tucson)
The rundown: Amid Arizona’s seven-game winning streak to close out the 2023 season, the Wildcats took down the Utes in blowout fashion on Senior Day and the final homestand for notable Wildcats, including left tackle Jordan Morgan, running back Michael Wiley, wide receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Tanner McLachlan. Utah had nearly just as many yards of total offense as Arizona (443-438), but the Wildcats jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first half, which was started by a 21-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to Wiley.
1994 (Freedom Bowl)
Score: No. 14 Utah 16, No. 15 Arizona 13
Where: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, California)
The rundown: Arizona and Utah played against each other in the last-ever Freedom Bowl, because after their matchup in 1994, the Holiday Bowl took the WAC connection and the then-named Angel Stadium returned to a baseball-only venue. Even though Arizona’s “Desert Swarm” defense held Utah to fewer than 100 yards, the Utes had a safety and returned a fumble to the UA 6-yard line, which turned into a touchdown just a few plays later. Arizona quarterback Dan White threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter, and Utah ran out the clock to win.
2015
Score: Arizona 37, No. 10 Utah 30 (double overtime)
Where: Arizona Stadium (Tucson)
The rundown: Arizona starting quarterback Anu Solomon left the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion, but backup Jerrard Randall threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nate Phillips to begin the second overtime period. The win made Arizona bowl-eligible.
2005
Score: Utah 27, Arizona 24
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium (Salt Lake City)
The rundown: Utah’s first win of the Kyle Whittingham era was against Arizona, which was also Whittingham’s first victory as a college head coach, after former boss Urban Meyer left for Florida. Utah safety Eric Weddle returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter to give Utah a 27-10 lead.
1972
Score: Utah 28, Arizona 27
Where: Robert Rice Stadium (Salt Lake City)
The rundown: The Utes made one of the largest comebacks in college football history after trailing 27-0. Utah quarterback Don Van Galder threw a 53- and 36-yard pass in the second half, and defensive back Steve Marshall had a 68-yard pick-six. Van Galder ran in for the game-winning touchdown.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tons of history between UA Wildcats, Utah as football teams meet again
