Jedd Fisch and the Arizona Wildcats are due some respect.

This year’s version of the Wildcats is far, far, far removed from the 1-11 team that limped through the 2021 season. Arizona has three losses this season — two of them in overtime, and none of them by more than seven points.

The Wildcats lost to Mississippi State in Week 2, 31-24. That was an overtime loss on the road that featured five turnovers. They lost to No. 7 Washington in Week 5, 31-24. That game saw the Wildcat defense hold UW to a season-low for points and yards. Then, Saturday night in Los Angeles, Arizona took No. 10 USC to triple-overtime.

Despite a 43-41 loss, Fisch said after the game the future is bright in Tucson.

“I think the 21-point underdog stuff probably has to come to an end here soon,” Fisch said. “We have a really good football team. Unfortunately, we’ve had two games that we’ve lost in overtime and one game we’ve lost by a touchdown.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team. I think our team is as good as anybody that we play, and they’re just getting better. There are great things ahead for Arizona football, there’s no question in my mind about that. A triple-overtime loss on the road against USC where we went head-to-head, toe-to-toe, miss by a yard here, miss by a yard there. I would say that our guys are really good, and I’m really proud of them.”

Arizona had a 17-0 lead on USC on the road early in the second quarter. At one point, Arizona was outgaining USC 208-0.

The Wildcats got beat by arguably the best player in all of college football, as USC quarterback Caleb Williams did everything in his power to claw USC back into the game and then drag it across the finish line. Williams had four total touchdowns and scored the game-winning two-point play in the third overtime period.

But Arizona held USC to 351 yards of total offense, the lowest output in a game for USC since Lincoln Riley came to town.

The 205 passing yards Williams was held to marked the third-worst day of his USC career and the 14 completions tied for the fewest in a game since he came to Los Angeles.

“I’m proud of our defense. Our defense has made unbelievable leaps and bounds from a year ago, and it’s because they’re trusting the process of what we’re trying to get done,” Fisch said. “The coaches have done an incredible job. Players have done an incredible job, and they continue to improve each week. I know I’m looking forward to watching this team play the second half of this season on defense.”

Fisch also praised the play of backup quarterback Noah Fifita, who made his second career start (both of which have come against top-10 teams) and threw for 302 yards and five scores.

“I’m proud of the way we played.,” Fisch said.  “Our team is good and our quarterbacks are good. We’ve got two really, really good quarterbacks. We’ve got some really good wide receivers and really good skill players. We have some great backs and our offensive line had one heck of a night tonight. All together, I’m really proud of our team, proud of our staff, but still disappointed in the outcome.”