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Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) celebrate his touchdown against USU in Logan on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
In the waning moments of a 42-18 beatdown of Utah in Tucson last year, Arizona coach Jedd Fisch had one more trick up his sleeve.
With 45 seconds left in the contest, the Wildcats up 35-18 and Utah out of timeouts, it was assumed Arizona would kneel the clock out, but what they did next surprised everyone.
After quarterback Noah Fifita went to the bench after a good day — 22 of 30 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns — in came Jayden de Laura with about four minutes left.
de Laura began the 2023 season as Arizona’s starting quarterback, but an injury in the fourth game of the year forced Fifita into action. Fifita played so well in de Laura’s absence, leading Arizona to a 10-3 record and an Alamo Bowl win, that he remained the starter even when de Laura was healthy.
So when de Laura went back onto the field with 45 seconds left, Fisch wanted to reward him for being a team player, sticking with Arizona and handling Fifita’s ascension with grace.
“I wanted Jayden to go out with a touchdown pass this season. I think that he deserves that and I thought it was awesome that on what could be a senior day for him … and as a captain, I thought it was pretty awesome that he could go out there and throw a touchdown,” Fisch said.
Three receivers streaked down the field, de Laura found Tetairoa McMillan in single coverage and McMillan hauled in a pass for a touchdown.
Arizona thoroughly dominated Utah from the first snap — the Wildcats led the Utes 28-0 after the first quarter — and de Laura’s last-minute score just twisted the knife a little more as Arizona beat Utah for the first time since 2015.
Fisch pointed to Utah calling timeouts on Arizona’s penultimate…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/revenge-mind-no-10-utah-000758470.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2024-09-28 00:07:58
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