You can take ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ away from Pac-12 After Dark, but you can't take the Pac-12 After Dark away from the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s 48-3 blowout win over Weber State on Saturday was delayed over two hours due to nearby lightning.Â
After initially scheduled to start at 7 p.m., the battle of the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ kicked off at 9:10 p.m. It's the latest kickoff at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium since its 8:15 p.m. contest against Houston last season.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ is 2-0 for the second straight season under head coach Brent Brennan. The last time ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ had back-to-back 2-0 starts was in 2014 and '15.Â
Turning Point
Following one of his most inefficient passing performances at the UA, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita had one of his best passing performances as a Wildcat, completing 17 of 22 passes for 353 yards, five touchdowns (tied for a career high) and no interceptions.Â
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In the first quarter, Fifita launched a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Javin "Nunu" Whatley, who also hauled in an 85-yard touchdown reception with just under nine minutes left in the first quarter to lift ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ to a 14-0 lead. Fifita's 85-yard pass to Whatley is the longest of his career. Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita (1) just scoots out of the arms of Weber State safety Tamal Johnson (31) to scramble out of a sack during the second quarter, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tucson.
Offensive MVP
Dating back to the final possession against Hawaii last week, Fifita completed 14 straight passes, which is the longest streak of his career.Â
Fifita completed the first 10 passes on Saturday. Fifita's streak ended with just over nine minutes left in the second quarter, when he attempted to flip a 3-yard pass in the middle of the end zone to tight end Sam Olson, who dropped the pass. Â
Fifita had more passing yards (196) and touchdowns (three) in the first quarter than he threw in the entire game against Hawaii. Fifita's top eight pass catchers on Saturday were Whatley, Luke Wysong, Kris Hutson, Chris Hunter, running back Ismail Mahdi, Brandon Phelps, Tre Spivey and Gio Richardson. Phelps and Spivey both caught their first touchdowns at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥. Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s 34 first-quarter points were the most in an opening quarter since it scored 34 against Washington State in 2014.Â
In ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s eight drives with Fifita under center, the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ scored five touchdowns and two field goals. The only possession that didn't result in points was when ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ kneeled to end the first half.
Fifita passed Anu Solomon for the fourth-most career touchdowns in UA history. Fifita is eight touchdowns away from passing Khalil Tate. Fifita recorded his first 300-yard passing performance since the Texas Tech game last October. Fifita's 77% completion rate is the best since he completed 78% of his passes against UCLA in 2023.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Genesis Smith (12) strides his way around against Weber State wide receiver Marcus Chretien (87) on his return of an interception in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Defensive MVP
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ safety Genesis Smith intercepted Weber State quarterback Jackson Gilkey late in the first quarter, which marked Smith's first interception since he was Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week against Houston last season. Smith had a team-high seven tackles.Â
Smith had the first of two interceptions on the night. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ cornerback Jay'Vion Cole had a pick-six in the second half — the first since Anthony Pandy against USC in 2021.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) gets a hand fro some fans for his long bomb touchdown against Weber State in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Unsung Hero
Whatley was Fifita's top target with five catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns. It's the most yards for Whatley since he had 10 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown for Chattanooga against Furman.Â
Whatley became the first ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ receiver not named Tetairoa McMillan to have 150-plus yards in a game since Dorian Singer against Washington State in 2022.Â
Injury Report
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ had an abundance of players return to action on Saturday, including offensive tackle Rhino Tapa'atoutai, who started at right tackle in place of Michigan transfer Tristan Bounds. Tapa'atoutai, who played his first game in 322 days after suffering a season-ending knee injury against Colorado last season, started alongside left tackle Ty Buchanan, left guard Michael Wooten, center Ka'ena Decambra and right guard Alexander Doost. Tapa'atoutai exited the game in the second quarter.Â
Hutson and Montana transfer linebacker Riley Wilson made their ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ debuts. Hutson was third in receiving with two catches for 51 yards. Wilson didn't play until the second half, but finished third in tackles (six). Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Treydan Stukes, who is recovering from a knee injury he suffered nearly a year ago, remained sidelined. Cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew made his season debut on Saturday.
Tight end Keyan Burnett made his ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ debut, but didn't record any receptions. UA running back Kedrick Reescano missed Saturday and was seen wearing a walking boot on the sideline. Â
What’s Next
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ (2-0) will face the Kansas State ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ (1-2), which was upset by Army in Manhattan on Saturday. The nonconference battle of the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium is on Friday at 6 p.m. on Fox. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ lost to Kansas State 31-7 in the first game of the home-and-home series in Manhattan, which snapped ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s nine-game winning streak. Friday night will be a homecoming for former UA safety and Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP Gunner Maldonado, who transferred to KSU in December.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ smothers Weber State 48-3, NCAA football
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ running back Quincy Craig (24) blocks the reach of Weber State cornerback Montae Pate (20) in the second quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Jay'Vion Cole (8) and defensive back Gavin Hunter (23) celebrate Cole’s pick-six against Weber State in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Braedyn Locke (8) can’t escape the long arm of Weber State defensive end Keahnist Thompson (1) as the pocket collapses on him for a sack in the fourth quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Jay'Vion Cole (8) steps in to snatch the ball from Weber State wide receiver Devin Ford (19) for a pick-six in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ running back Anthony Wilhite (28) swivels his way past Weber State safety Pierre Hunter (21) for more yards in the fourth quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Weber State cornerback Ishaan Daniels (22) swats away the pass from ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Chris Hunter (11) but picks up an interference call in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Michael Dansby (25) reaches out to knock a pass down in front of Weber State tight end Noah Bennee (84) in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ head coach Brent Brennan gets a hug from his son wide receiver Scotty Brennan (81) after the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ pasted Weber State 48-3, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) gets a hand fro some fans for his long bomb touchdown against Weber State in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Genesis Smith (12) strides his way around against Weber State wide receiver Marcus Chretien (87) on his return of an interception in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita (1) just scoots out of the arms of Weber State safety Tamal Johnson (31) to scramble out of a sack during the second quarter, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tucson.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Brandon Phelps (18) drops to his knees as he celebrates hauling in a touchdown catch late in the second quarter against Weber State, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) gets a step on Weber State cornerback Ishaan Daniels (22) and cradles a catch that he took to the end zone in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Luke Wysong (15) tiptoes down the line after breaking away on a catch against Weber State in the second quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz. Wysong thought he’d scored, but was called for stepping out on the 50 yard line.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales and the defensive unit watch the big screen replays during a review on targeting by linebacker Jabari Mann (11) against Weber State in the second quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz. Mann was eventually assessed the penalty and ejected from the game.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ place kicker Michael Salgado-Medina (19) watches his kick split the uprights over Weber State safety Angel King (24) for a second quarter field goal, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tucson.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita (1) sidesteps the rush of Weber State defensive tackle Kevin Johnson (44) and avoid the sack in the second quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Luke Wysong (15) jumps over the diving tackle attempt by Weber State safety Tamal Johnson (31)on his way up the sideline in the second quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Weber State wide receiver Jayleen Record (4) gets hauled down by ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ linebacker Taye Brown (6) and defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew (5) after his catch in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Tre Spivey (12) scoots into the end zone ahead of Weber State linebacker Sione Hala (13) in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ running back Quincy Craig (24) hops out of the hands of Weber State linebacker Sione Hala (13) on his run in the first quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales has hands out fives to his unit after a stand against Weber State, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Coleman Patmon (26) holds on as help arrives to bring down Weber State wide receiver Kelton Wafer (81) after a catch late in the fourth quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Coleman Patmon (26) holds to get a shirttail tackle on Weber State running back Bird Butler (15), September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ linebacker Chase Kennedy (7) comes in untouched to sack Weber State quarterback Jackson Gilkey (2) during the third quarter, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tucson.
Weber State linebacker Aizik Mahuka (33) runs down ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita (1) in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Michael Dansby (25) goes low and defensive back Genesis Smith (12) high to wrap-up Weber State tight end Noah Bennee (84) after his catch in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) comes in to jostle Weber State wide receiver Marvin Session (18) and keep him from one-handing a first down catch in the third quarter, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Brendan Tye, left, and Ali Faccio stay amused with their phones as thousands of Wildcat fans wait out a lightning delay under the stands of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium, delaying the kick off ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s game against Weber State, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ head coach Brent Brennan gets a high five during the Wildcat Walk before the game against Weber State, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ offensive lineman Tristan Bounds (71) gathers his thoughts at midfield, one of the first players to take to the field to warm up for the game against Weber State, Sept. 6, 2025, at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium.
The color guard gets in some last practice before the gates open at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium for ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s game against Weber State, September 6, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
Former ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ star running back returns as honorary captain for Weber State game
