After leading early in the game 13-0 over No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 14 Arizona (10-3) saw its lead evaporator into a 24-13 game in favor of OU late into the third quarter with the Sooners deep in UA territory making things look bleak. But, in one play everything changed when Dalton Johnson forced a ball lose and safety Gunner Maldonado ran it back 87 yards for the longest turnover return in program history during a bowl game.
The Wildcats were able to use the momentum and score 25 unanswered points to clinch the program's fourth 10-plus win season beating the Sooners 38-24 in the Alamo Bowl. Arizona coach Jedd Fisch has turned UA around in just three seasons from going 1-11 in Year 1 to 10 wins in Year 3.
"We were expecting a battle. There was nothing going to be easy even though we went up 13-0 in the first quarter," said Fisch when during his postgame press conference. "But the guys just kept competing. I really believe our strength staff does an amazing job of making an emphasis of the fourth quarter is when we win games."
Maldonado created two turnovers with an interception and his fumble recovery for the touchdown. The performance won him Alamo Bow Defensive Player of the Game.
The two players that lifted the Wildcats on the offensive side of the ball were quarterback Noah Fifita, who totaled 354 yards passing while going 24 of 38 on his passes that led to two touchdowns. Then, on the receiving end of it was star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who hauled in a bowl game program-record 10 catches for 160 yards.
What makes Fifita's performance that much more impressive was that the offensive line struggled without left tackle Jordan Morgan. The line allowed five sacks that totaled 47 yards. Still, he was able to find a way to make plays when his team needed it the most.
Despite the great offensive performance by Fifita and McMillan, it was wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who won Alamo Bowl Offensive Player of the Game. Cowing scored the go-ahead touchdown and racked up seven catches, 152 yards and two touchdowns.
"It means a lot, but first I just want to give credit to my teammates for pushing me day in and day out since January, going through fall camp, spring ball,summer conditioning, getting me to where I'm at today, the athlete that I am today," said Cowing when asked about his performance. "If it wasn't for those guys pushing me each and every day, I don't think I would be here today the athlete that I am."
Looking at the defensive stats, Arizona struggled against the run giving up 201 yards on the ground and a total of 562 yards to the Sooners. In comparison, the Wildcats ended the game with just 383 total yards.
"Yeah, it was phenomenal. Six turnovers in a game is a dream, number one, and we scored 28 points off of the turnovers, so that helps," said Fisch when asked about his defense's performance. "But when you look at it, the way our defense played all year, they just got better and better and better and better and better, and they just kept finding ways and finding ways to make plays"
Although giving up 24 points to a true freshman quarterback in Jackson Arnold doesn't look good on paper, Arizona's defense was tough as nails forcing six turnovers from three interceptions and three forced fumbles. The Wildcats were able to covert those turnovers into 28 points.
"We've got one of the greatest stories this season with the defensive turnaround from a year ago until today, and the fact that we have so many players returning again just sets the standard and raises the standard, said Fisch about his defense.
"And coach (Johnny) Nansen and coach (Duane) Akina and Coach (Jason) Kaufusi and Coach (Chuck) Cecil, Coach (John) Richardson, amazing job of getting these guys in position to play hard, believe in the system, and then be able to make the plays like they did today."
The win for the Wildcats, closes the door on the history of the program in the Pac-12 with its fourth 10-plus win season, a 7-game winning streak and laying the path for what lies ahead for Arizona as it heads into the Big 12 conference.
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