Sep 6, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Johno Price (21) points up after intercepting the ball and scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Weber State Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Three BOLD Observations from Arizona Win Over Weber State

Originally posted on Arizona Wildcats on SI | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 4:34 AM ET

Arizona wanted to get back on the right track after an underwhelming first season under Brent Brennan where the team finished 4-8 and missed a bowl game despite preseason high expectations.

Well, after changes were made to the coaching staff and the roster, Brennan seems to have the Wildcats (2-0) moving in the right direction with the team starting the year with back-to-back impressive wins over Hawaii and Weber State.

Saturday night, Arizona scored 48 unanswered points and saw the game get out of hand quickly finishing the night with a 48-3 win over Weber State.

Arizona was geared up ready to start its second game of the season against Weber State. However, a 2-hour-plus lightning delay caused the game to start late. Stool, UA on the opening drive came out swinging and wasted no time marching 75 yards in six plays capped off by a Noah Fifita touchdown.

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The Wildcats were able to get a stop on the Weber State opening drive and struck like lightning on an 85-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to receiver Javin Whatley to give UA a commanding 14-0 lead. Arizona delivered its second win of the year thanks to a lopsided Saturday night.

After struggling throughout the game against Hawaii with only 161 yards on 13 of 23 passing to go along with a touchdown, Fifita was able to have a bounce-back game and exploded in the first half.

Fifita started off hot and went 17 of 22 totaling 373 yards and racking up five touchdowns with over seven minutes left in the third quarter.

As of right now, Fifita is sitting on 50 career touchdown passes, which puts him fourth all-time in program history and one touchdown ahead of Anu Solomon. He is seven touchdowns behind Khalil Tate for third all-time.

A lot happened in this game and we at Arizona Wildcats On SI went ahead and put together our three observations from the night.

Three Observations

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Noah Fifita

Last game against Hawaii, Fifita struggled to get into a rhythm in the first half and finished going 13 of 23, collecting 161 yards and a touchdown on the night.

Right off the bat against Weber State, Fifita looked more comfortable in the offensive scheme and connected on a 31-yard TD to Whatley to get things going.

The very next drive, Fifita made quick work of the Weber State defense hitting Whatley again but this time for an 85-yard touchdown.

Fifita finished going 17 of 22 and he is clearly finding his groove in the offense and at the right time with KSU next on the schedule.

Rhino Tapa’atoutai

Throughout the offseason, tackle Rhino Tapa’atoutai had been working hard to get fully back from an ACL tear that he suffered six games into the 2024 season.

Throughout training camp, we saw Tapa’atoutai working with the training staff and found himself in full pads by the end of the offseason. However, he wasn’t fully ready to go for the Hawaii game.

Now, he is back on the field playing right tackle for Arizona and helps the Wildcats solidify the offensive line.

Arizona's Defensive Effort

The Wildcat defense has started the season strong keeping their opponents out of the end zone in two straight games to begin the season against Hawaii and Weber State.