The Wildcats opened the 2026 season with a convincing 35‑7 victory over Northern Arizona University, but the real test arrives this Saturday in Provo against No. 15 BYU. The matchup carries conference‑title implications and a chance for Arizona to shed the sting of last year’s 33‑27 loss.
Motivation from the previous season
Players say the memory of the BYU defeat remains fresh. Offensive coordinator Seth Doege recalled a respectful offseason conversation with BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who praised Arizona’s defense. “They were just as excited to win that game as we were,” Doege said, noting the mutual desire for an upset.
Leadership voices on the field
Linebacker Chase Kennedy, a fifth‑year veteran familiar with BYU from his Utah days, described the rivalry as a “holy war” that isn’t quite holy. He added, “We want to get that taste out of our mouths from these past two years.”
Wide receiver Giovanni Richardson took responsibility for a fumble in the NAU game, emphasizing accountability: “I fumbled it. It is what it is. Gotta brush it off and go play the game, just have fun and play football.” He finished that game with eight catches for 98 yards, showing he can move past mistakes.
Coaching focus on fundamentals
Doege highlighted the importance of ball‑security drills, saying the recent fumble “affirms the drills that you do every day and why you guys are out there.” He also praised junior offensive lineman Matthew Lado for showing aggression, though noting inconsistency.
Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales explained that the starting safety spot remains fluid, rotating among Lee Molette III, Gavin Hunter and Daylen Austin based on matchups. “Those three I view in my mind as a starter,” Gonzales said. “Depending on the matchup, it could be any of the three that goes in on any play or any series.”
Looking ahead
Arizona hopes to combine disciplined play with the aggressive edge needed to compete with BYU’s experienced unit. As Kennedy put it, “They got a good discipline unit over there, a lot of older guys, so we just know we gotta be good with all of the details.”
The Wildcats will seek to build on their opening win, tighten ball security, and prove they can overcome last season’s heartbreak in what could be a pivotal conference clash.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
