Kansas State Wildcats at Arizona Wildcats
· NCAA - Football
Ismail Mahdi runs for 189 yards, Arizona holds off Kansas State rally for 23-17 win
Arizona (3-0) faced its first big test of the year after beating two smaller-conference teams by a combined score of 88-9. The Wildcats led by 14 at halftime, but let Kansas State back in it with a series of mistakes. They sealed the win with a turnover on downs, opening 3-0 for the first time since 2015.
“That's what it's supposed to look like,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “Not the whole thing, but in moments that's what it's supposed to look like and I'm so proud of this team.”
Coming off a home loss to Army, Kansas State (1-3) struggled offensively for much of the nonconference matchup between future Big 12 foes — a game scheduled before Arizona joined the league. Kansas State had 193 total yards and quarterback Avery Johnson was limited to 88 yards and no touchdowns on 13 of 29 passing.
“We've come out flat four straight weeks,” Johnson said. “We knew what they were going to give us, just felt like we were slow in all aspects.”
Arizona led 17-3 at halftime on touchdown runs of 15 and two yards by Fifita.
Kansas State needed one play to get back in it.
Taking a direct snap, Jayce Brown weaved through a blockade of tacklers on the right side and raced past the rest of the defense for a 75-yard touchdown run — the first touchdown Arizona's defense has allowed this season.
After a three-and-out, Arizona punter Michael Salgado-Medina fumbled a snap and had his kick blocked, setting up Kansas State at Arizona's 13. Johnson scored four plays later on a 1-yard run to tie it at 17-all.
Salgado-Medina kicked field goals of 31 and 41 yards to put Arizona up 23-17 before hitting the upright on a 46-yard attempt with 1:55 left.
“I definitely feel like there's a lot of growth as far as responding, and it's showing out there,” Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith said.
The third-year player saw limited action, finishing with 13 yards on four carries.
“He tried to go — I applaud Dylan,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “He gave it a go, gave it an effort and got a couple of runs, but I knew he wasn’t gonna last that long and he didn’t."
Arizona: The Wildcats were shaky in the opening 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, but shut down Kansas State the rest of the night.
Arizona: Plays its first Big 12 game at Iowa State on Sept. 27.
How To Watch
How can I watch Kansas State Wildcats vs. Arizona Wildcats?
- TV Channel: Wildcats at Wildcats 2021 College Football, week 3, is broadcasted on FOX.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
FG | 1st Period 7:42 | Luis Rodriguez 51 Yd Field Goal |
 |
TD | 1st Period 5:01 | Noah Fifita 15 Yd Run (Michael Salgado-Medina Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 10:28 | Michael Salgado-Medina 31 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 2nd Period 3:42 | Noah Fifita 2 Yd Run (Michael Salgado-Medina Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 14:47 | Jayce Brown 75 Yd Run (Luis Rodriguez Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 10:36 | Avery Johnson 1 Yd Run (Luis Rodriguez Kick) |
|
FG | 3rd Period 2:40 | Michael Salgado-Medina 31 Yd Field Goal |
|
FG | 4th Period 4:25 | Michael Salgado-Medina 41 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
 KSU |
 ARIZ |
|
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1st Downs | 21 |
| 3-13 | 3rd down efficiency | 8-18 |
| 0-4 | 4th down efficiency | 1-2 |
| 193 | Total Yards | 412 |
| 88 | Passing | 178 |
| 13/29 | Comp/Att | 16/34 |
| 3.0 | Yards per pass | 5.2 |
| 105 | Rushing | 234 |
| 24 | Rushing Attempts | 45 |
| 4.4 | Yards per rush | 5.2 |
| 2-30 | Penalties | 7-56 |
| 1 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 23:05 | Possession | 36:55 |
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