Noah Fifita sets new Territorial Cup record for Arizona in first half
Noah Fifita needed just 30 minutes to set a new Arizona record in the Territorial Cup.
According to Arizona’s sports information director, Brett Gleason, Fifita’s 357 passing yards in the first half are the most by an Arizona player in the 97-year history of the rivalry series with Arizona State. Fifita completed 19 of his 29 passes with two touchdowns through the game’s opening two quarters.
That included a 28-point second quarter that helped push Arizona’s lead up to 38-7.
Noah Fifita's 357 passing yards are the most ever by a Wildcat in the Territorial Cup. It's only halftime #BearDown
— Brett Gleason (@brett_gleason) November 25, 2023
Fifita completed seven passes for Tetairoa McMillan for 162 yards. He completed six passes to Jacob Cowing for 123 yards.
He posted an incredible 38% explosive pass play rate. Arizona had nine different completions of 20 or more yards and three completions of at least 30 yards.
Aided by two first-half turnovers from Arizona State, Arizona absolutely rolled in the first half. The Wildcats had seven possessions. They kicked a field goal on the first possession, scored touchdowns on each of the next five, and then missed a field goal on the final drive of the half.
Arizona State did not stop Arizona once.
The 357 first-half yards from Fifita set a single-game high for Arizona this season. Fifita is also within striking distance of the single-game passing record in the Territorial Cup.