From 4-8 to Contender? Arizona’s Offense Needs Big Leaps in 2025

The Arizona Wildcats were one of the most unbalanced offensive teams in the Big 12 Conference a year ago.

The Wildcats were ranked No. 96 in total offense in FBS as they gained 354.5 yards per game. But the imbalance between the run and the pass was stark. The running game only compiled 106.6 yards per game, which was good for just No. 119 in the country. The passing game had to make up for it, gaining 247.9 yards and ranking No. 42.

Arizona also struggled with scoring points, as the Wildcats averaged 21.8 points per game, good for No. 114 in FBS.

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian is out the door and in the NFL, and new offensive coordinator Seth Doege has his hands full. The Wildcats need more offense after a 4-8 2024, which included a 2-7 league mark.

Here are three offensive players to keep an eye on for the Arizona Wildcats.

QB NOAH FIFITA

The returning Arizona quarterback told Lindy’s Sports in its preview magazine the following:

“We have all the pieces in this room right now to do everything we want,” he said.

If that’s true, it’s up to him to utilize those pieces. It’s also time for him to improve his efficiency.

Even though he averaged a career-high 246.5 passing yards per game last season, he also threw 12 interceptions, which was tied for fourth nationally. After throwing for 2,958 yards and 18 touchdowns, the number that sticks out is 60.5%. That was his completion rate a year ago. In 2023, when he was the Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year, he completed 72.4% of his passes.

He doesn’t need to be otherworldly. But a completion rate in the middle, combined with Doege’s fresh scheme, should make him more efficient and productive.

RB Ishmail Mahdi

Part of the reason that Arizona’s run game was so poor last year was that the Wildcats lost a key piece to eligibility early in the season, Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Arizona was never able to replace its expected production. He had produced nearly 3,000 yards for his career before he arrived in Tucson.

Now, the Wildcats are putting their trust in Mahdi, a transfer from Texas State. He also played at Houston Christian and enters this year with nearly 3,000 yards rushing.

But he’s been productive everywhere he’s been. In 2023 at Texas State, he led the nation in all-purpose yards with 2,169, earning All-Sun Belt First Team honors. In 2022, with Houston Christian, he was given the Jerry Rice Award as the nation’s top freshman in FCS football.

Doege should have plenty of fun figuring out ways to use the 5-foot-9 senior. If one is worried about his size, he’s played in 33 games in three seasons.

WR Kris Hutson

The Wildcats should keep an eye on the offensive line, where only one starter returns. But Fifita needs a target, and Hutson is the most likely receiver to emerge as a star.

He’s just 5-foot-11, so he’s not the huge target McMillian was on every play. But he’s coming off a productive season at Washington State, where he caught 54 passes for 683 yards and two touchdowns.

Arizona is going to have to get him out in space. His size should allow him to move out on the edge or in the slot to create matchup issues. He’ll get a lot of yards after the catch if the scheme and his talent allow it.