It was all right there for the taking.
A signature road win against a ranked team, which would keep it in the hunt for the Big 12 title game and very much in the College Football Playoff conversation. A chance for Noah Fifitato show he indeed was worthy of Heisman Trophy consideration.
It was all there. And then it wasn't.
No. 22 Arizona held leads at halftime and in the third quarter at No. 13 Texas Tech but faltered down the stretch, falling 34-26 on Saturday afternoon in Lubbock. The loss snaps a 5-game win streak for the Wildcats (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) and damages their chances of both the conference championship and playoffs.
Noah Fifitathrew for 417 yards and a touchdown, going 33 of 45, but after starting 25 of 30 missed four straight attempts on drives where the UA could have taken the lead. He was also sacked five times as the offensive line could not protect him or block for the run, as Arizona finished with 46 rushing yards on 25 non-sack carries.
Kedrick Reescanohad two short TD runs but managed only 18 yards on nine carries, while Tech (7-1, 4-1) dominated on the ground. The Red Raiders ran for 317 yards, getting 171 from Ja'Koby Williamsand 117 from Thomas Castellanos.It was their first game in school history with multiple 100-yard rushers.
The inability to contain Castellanos played a big role in the loss. The 5-for-5 transfer, who regained his eligibility two weeks ago—must be nice!—started over Will Hammondand his athleticism gave the Wildcats fits. It also opened the door for him to throw two TD passes when Arizona loaded the box, though he was only 11 of 24 for the game.
Isaiah Mizellhad another stellar game, catching seven passes for 183 yards including a 94-yard TD catch, while Giovanni Richardson(six catches, 90 yards) and Chris Hunter(four catches, 52 yards) also had good games in their return to action after injury. But the lack of a run game and the sacks led to too many times behind the sticks for the UA, which 8 of 19 on 3rddown and 1 of 3 on 4thdown.
Arizona led at halftime on the road against a ranked opponent, much like it did in Week 2 at BYU, but the 17-10 lead didn't last long. Tech scored less than five minutes into the 3rdquarter on a 5-yard Castellanos run, capping a drive that saw the Red Raiders convert three times on 3rdand long including via penalty.
The Wildcats answered immediately, with Reescano scoring on a 1-yard run to cap a drive that included Fifita hitting Mizell for a 35-yard catch on 3rdand 4. It also included a play that should have been a pick-6 for Tech but ended up keeping the drive moving.
Tech blocked the PAT, giving the UA only a 23-17 lead with 5:34 left in the third.
The Red Raiders went up 24-23 with 2:33 to go in the third when they went for it on 4thand 2 and Castellanos found Kenny Johnsonon a 27-yard TD pass.
The UA went 3-and-out on its next drive, and on a third down catch RJ Mosleysuffered a injury to his left leg that caused him to get carted off. After a lengthy delay, Tech's Johnson returned the ensuing punt for a TD only to have it called back to midfield for a hold and ended up with three via a 42-yard field goal for a 27-23 lead with 14:43 to go.
Fififta showed some of his third down magic, twice converting on 3rdand long, but then a 3rdand 16 completion to Quincy Craigonly got 15 yards and the UA went for it. After a timeout, Fifita had Tyler Powellopen over the middle but overthrew him for a turnover on downs.
Arizona caught a break three players later, though, when Cam Chapaforced a fumble by Tech's Cameron Dickeyand Dwight Bootle IIrecovered at the Red Raiders' 43 with 8:01 to go. But it couldn't take advantage, actually losing yards on the next possession and punting it away.
The UA defense held, forcing a punt with 4:36 remaining, but what followed was another 3-and-out. Fifita's fourth straight incompletion, a run for no gain and a sack led to another punt. That's when Tech threw the knockout punch. On 3rdand 1, Williams went almost untouched for a 64-yard TD run for a 34-23 lead with 2:05 to go.
Arizona drove downfield and got a 22-yard field goal from Michael Salgado-Medinawith 22 seconds left but could not grab the onside kick.
A 55-yard catch byRichardson set up Arizona's first score on the opening possession, but it was only three after Fifita was sacked on third down in the red zone. Salgado-Medina connected from 35 yards out for a 3-0 lead after just over three minutes of action.
Texas Tech faced little resistance on its first drive, particularly on third and fourth down, with Castellanos using his legs for a few conversions. That set the stage for Castellanos to hit Terrance Carter Jr.for a 24-yard TD pass.
The Wildcats went 3-and-out on their next drive but then got a big defensive stop, stuffing the Tech run on 4thdown near midfield. Yet Arizona also turned it over on downs, a Brandon Phelpscatch coming up just short.
The UA had matched its season high in punts (four) and was staring at a fifth when, on 3rdand 12 from its own 6, a massive big play flipped the script. Fifita left the pocket, threw on the run and found Isaiah Mizellnear the 40 and then Mizell did the rest for a 94-yard TD catch and a 10-7 lead with 10:02 left in the 1sthalf.
It was tied for the 3rd-longest pass play in school history, longest since Brandon Dawkinsand Trey Griffeyconnected on a 95-yarder in the 2015 Territorial Cup.
Back in front, Arizona's defense forced a 3-and-out and set Arizona up to go ahead two scores, with the Wildcats putting together their first sustained drive. They went 14 plays and 89 yards, eating more than seven minutes off the clock, beforeReescano scored on a 5-yard run on a direct snap with 1:56 left before halftime.
Tech got within seven in the final minute on a 29-yard field goal.
Arizona returns home for its next two games, starting with a short week and a visit from TCU on Friday night before hosting unbeaten Utah on Nov. 14.
