Inside The Wildcats

Three BOLD Observations From Arizona's Win Over Baylor

Arizona was able to secure its eighth win of the season in a 41-17 blow out of Baylor.
Troy Hutchison, Ari Koslow, Nathaniel Martinez|
Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Kris Hutson (4) against the Baylor Bears in the first half at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Kris Hutson (4) against the Baylor Bears in the first half at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Arizona Wildcats

Saturday was a cold, cloudy day in Tucson with a game between two great offensive units in Arizona (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) and Baylor that are averaging over 30-plus points per game this season.

Despite the two blazing offensive units, the weather set the tone with both defenses playing solid ball and Arizona’s making the plays when the team needed it the most. 

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Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) dances after he intercepts the ball in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the game against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Cornerback Treydan Stukes came up with an interception in the red zone with the Wildcats leading 21-17 at the start of the fourth quarter to help the Bears stay out of the end zone.

Arizona went on to score on the falling drive that led to a 41-17 victory over Baylor (5-6, 3-5) to capture the eighth win of the season.

Arizona now sits at 8-3 after going 4-8 a season ago and will head up to Tempe to take on in-state rival Arizona State in the Territorial Cup. 

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Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After going 4-3 through the first seven games, the Wildcats have won four-straight games, shocking the fan base, media and the nation.

With the game in the books, we at Arizona Wildcats On SI have come up with our three bold observations from Arizona’s win over Baylor.

Three Observations

Kris Hutson

  • One of the top offensive weapons that has really emerged over the past couple of weeks is wide receiver Kris Hutson, who has put together back-to-back 100-plus yard performances against Cincinnati and now Baylor.
  • Against the Bears, Hutson hauled in nine catches and racked up 133 yards and scored a touchdown with Arizona trailing 14-7 in the second quarter to tie the game.
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Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Kris Hutson (4) catches the ball while Baylor Bears linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) pulls on his jersey during the third quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
  • So far this season with one game remaining, Hutson has hauled in 645 yards and four touchdowns. In the last two games he has racked up 266 yards on 17 catches with a touchdown to help lift the team to victory.

Treydan Stukes

  • Baylor was driving down the field to start the fourth quarter trailing 21-17. Instead of kicking a field goal, the Bears went for it on 4th-and-3 at the Arizona 12-yard line. 
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Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) intercepts the ball in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the game against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
  • Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson was then intercepted by senior defensive back Treydan Stukes in the end zone. It led to an avalanche to close the game for the Wildcats as they went on to score 20 more points to win the game 41-17. 
  • It was a storybook ending for the career of Stukes in his final game in Tucson.

Arizona’s Rushing Attack

  • The rushing game of Arizona erupted in the second half, gaining 120 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the way to its dominating win over Baylor. In the fourth quarter alone, Arizona rushed for 88 yards and scored twice.
  • Kedrick Reescano was unstoppable when he was at the goal line, as he scored twice when he was at least two yards away from the end zone. His last score was a 19 yard run up the middle through a wide open gap. 
  • Ismail Mahdi’s 14 carry, 93 yard game was the second most yards he had since rushing for 189 yards against Kansas State on September 12. His touchdown was the third one in four games. 
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Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) scores a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
  • Overall, the rushing attack was a huge reason why the Wildcats were able to be so successful on offense towards the end of the game.

Please be sure to share your thoughts on our three observations from Arizona’s 41-17 win over Baylor. To do so, follow us on our X account by clicking on the link.

Published
Troy Hutchison
TROY HUTCHISON

Troy Hutchison grew up attending Arizona athletic events, which gave him a unique perspective and knowledge of the athletic department's rich history. He attended UA and began covering the Wildcats in 2018. As the Arizona Wildcats Beat Writer on SI, he is set to deliver wall-to-wall coverage to give fans an in-depth perspective.

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Ari Koslow
ARI KOSLOW

Ari Koslow is a sports writer covering the University of Arizona athletics at On SI. Koslow has been covering Arizona sports for several years. Born and raised in Seattle, he is a diehard Seahawks fan and a longtime sufferer of the Mariners. He is a huge fantasy football fanatic. Koslow is a graduate of Arizona’s School of Journalism.

Nathaniel Martinez
NATHANIEL MARTINEZ

Nathaniel Martinez and a set of shoulder pads at 7 years old. He later graduated from Pima Community College in 2023, where he began writing for the Pima Post. He is working to achieve a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and Media Studies.