Assessing Arizona QB Noah Fifita in Loss to ISU

Coming into the game, Arizona (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) felt like it had momentum with an impressive start to the season and getting healthy during the bye-week. However, on the first drive of the game, the Wildcats marched down the field looking for points but missed a 46-yard field goal by kicker Michael Salgado-Medina, which seemed to set the tone of the game against No. 14 Iowa State.

Arizona, found itself in an early 22-0 hole against Iowa State due to missed opportunities, sloppy play and unforced errors. The Wildcats would score right before half making it a 15-point game.

Iowa State Cyclones' wide receiver Chase Sowell (0) catches a around Arizona Wildcats defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) during the first quarter in the Big-12 conference showdown on Sept. 27, 2025, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Still, the Wildcats fell 39-14 against Iowa State as the early errors and slow start to the second half proved to be too much for Arizona to overcome.

Arizona’s defense had been one of the better units nationally coming into the game holding opponents to 8.7 PPG, which was tied for sixth in college football. But, the Wildcats’ defense clearly hit a pump in the road against the Cyclones.

In the first three games of the season, Arizona had done a good job of eliminating explosive plays with the only one that really stood out being the 75-yard touchdown run by KSU.

Iowa State Cyclones' quarterback Rocco Becht (3) celebrates after score a touchdown against Arizona during the first quarter in the Big-12 conference showdown on Sept. 27, 2025, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Through the first three quarters against Iowa State, the Wildcats allowed SIX explosive plays with all of them coming through the air against Arizona’s secondary.

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht was able to go 14 of 20 passing for 243 yards with most of his yardage coming on those six plays.

Now, although Becht was able to get the job done through the air, he did most of his scoring damage on the ground scoring on the 1-yard line against the Wildcats’ defense three times.

Arizona wildcats’ head coach Brent Brennan watches the game from the side line during the fourth quarter against Iowa State in the Big-12 conference showdown on Sept. 27, 2025, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Meanwhile, Arizona couldn’t get off the field when it needed it most as Iowa State went 6 of 12 on third down conversion. Plus, the Wildcats allowed the Cyclones to go 2-for-2 on fourth down conversions.

Everything seemed to spiral out of control for Arizona, which unlike the Cyclones struggled on third downs going an underwhelming 4 of 13 for the game.

When looking at the stats, Arizona was able to move the ball and put up yardage against the Cyclones’ defense. However, the Wildcats’ struggles on third and fourth down plays caused Seth Doege’s unit to come up empty in critical situations.

Despite Arizona being able to come up with a turnover in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats came up empty again late in the game with an interception thrown by Fifita in the red zone to seal the deal.

“This game was a big-time measuring stick for us and it was a harsh one. It hurts. … Now, what are we going to do about it? … How are we gonna fix that shit? Because that was not it.”

— Brent Brennan, on Arizona’s 39-14 loss to Iowa State pic.twitter.com/f7dsSJ9cp3
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) September 28, 2025

Arizona is clearly a better team than last season but the Wildcats put together another poor road performance in the Brent Brennan era and now have lost 4-straight road games in blowout fashion dating back to last season.

Now, with the game behind Arizona, we at Arizona Wildcats On SI have broken down the quarterback position and handed out a grade for Noah Fifita’s performance against Iowa State.

Fifita’s Stat Line

Noah Fifita says Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege shouldered the blame for the Wildcats’ 39-14 loss to Iowa State.

“Respectfully, I disagree. I didn’t make him right in any situations. I gotta be a lot better for him and a lot better for the offense.” — Fifita pic.twitter.com/w8qRFFFFl6
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) September 28, 2025

Against the Cyclones, Fifita threw the ball more than he had all season going 32 of 48 while totaling 253 yards to go along with his two touchdown passes and two interceptions. It was his first turnovers of the season.

Grade: C-

When Fifita first became the starting quarterback of Arizona back during the 2023 season, he was one of the most accurate passers in the nation, completing 72% of his passing attempts. Then, he struggled under Dino Babers and saw his completion percentage drop to 61% in 2024.

Although he has seen improvements under Doege, Fifita is completing a career low 59% of his attempts coming into the Iowa State game. However, following the loss, he is up 62% on 126 passes.

Sep 27, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) looks to throw against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Still, even on some completions, Fifita has thrown behind his receivers causing them to slow down and resulting in a short pick up instead of an explosive play.

If Arizona’s offense is going to take the next step, Fifita needs to start putting the ball on the money so his playmakers can make explosive gains.

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