Jacob Cowing was on the receiving end of Arizona’s first touchdown of the 2023 season.

On Arizona’s first offensive drive Saturday night against Northern Arizona, the Wildcats marched 65 yards in seven plays and just under four minutes to score the opening points of the season.

Quarterback Jayden de Laura opened play with a 4-yard pass to Cowing. Jonah Coleman then picked up 4 yards up the gut. Then Michael Wiley added 3 on a third-and-2. De Laura hit Wiley for 7 next and then two plays later he found Coleman for 37 yards to set up a first-and-goal from the 4.

From there, Arizona needed only one play. Cowing got himself loose with a little rub route and de Laura hit him in the back left corner of the endzone for six.

Cowing caught seven receiving touchdowns in his first season with the Wildcats last fall. He led the team with 85 receptions and finished with 1,034 yards to rank among the top receivers in the Pac-12.

Though Dorian Singer dipped into the transfer portal, Cowing chose to return as de Laura’s top option for an Arizona team that feels like it is on the rise.

The Wildcats are battling with Northern Arizona on the Pac-12 Network.