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Homecoming weekend in Tucson turned into a celebration as the Arizona Wildcats exploded early and cruised to a 39-3 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones. The win, which came before a fired-up crowd at Casino Del Sol Stadium, pushed Arizona's winning streak to five games and made the team bowl eligible for the second straight season—a feat the program hadn't achieved since the 2014-2015 campaigns.
From the opening whistle, the Wildcats left little doubt. On just the second play from scrimmage, quarterback Noah Fifita connected with receiver Isaiah Mizell on a 71-yard touchdown strike. Arizona kept its foot on the gas, scoring on every drive until a missed 31-yard field goal by Michael Salgado-Medina as time expired in the first half.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Early-season concerns about slow starts now seem like a distant memory. The Wildcats needed only 30 seconds to find the end zone, and they added a two-point conversion when Henry Gabalis took a direct snap and found Tyler Powell, making it 8-0 before many fans had settled into their seats. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Arizona engineered a methodical 13-play, 80-yard march that consumed nearly seven minutes and ended with Quincy Craig punching in from six yards out for a 15-0 lead. The home crowd was fully engaged, and Iowa State never recovered.
Defense Shuts Down Flora
Iowa State's Aiden Flora entered the game as one of college football's most versatile weapons, having amassed nearly 700 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground while also throwing for a pair of scores. Arizona's defense, coordinated by Danny Gonzalez, rendered him a non-factor. Flora managed just 36 rushing yards on 12 carries and added three receptions for 15 yards through the air. He never got a chance to make an impact with his arm either. The Cyclones' ground game sputtered to a dismal 1.9 yards per carry. Adding a touch of irony, Arizona's Henry Gabalis delivered his own 'Flora-like' performance, throwing a two-point conversion on the opening drive and later catching his first career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Fifita Family Shines
Noah Fifita turned in another stellar outing, completing 27 of 34 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns. He controlled the game until giving way to Sawyer Anderson late in the fourth quarter, and Anderson added a rushing touchdown of his own. But Noah wasn't the only Fifita to make an impact. Freshman linebacker Dash Fifita led the Wildcats with six total tackles, including two sacks, in the best game of his young career. The Fifita name carried extra meaning on Homecoming, and Arizona fans can look forward to seeing it dominate on both sides of the ball for years to come.
Looking Ahead
There's little time for celebration, as Arizona turns its attention to a Halloween showdown against Texas Tech. The Wildcats and Red Raiders are set to kick off at 9:00 AM MST on October 31 in what promises to be a top-25 battle in the Big 12. With momentum firmly on their side, the Wildcats will look to keep their winning streak alive against a formidable conference foe.
Originally reported by headtopics.