They’re both Wildcats and they both play in the Big 12 Conference, but as Kansas State and Arizona get ready to square off in a primetime game on Friday in Tucson, Ariz., they’ll be concluding the nonconference portion of their schedules.
The game, between two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions, was scheduled before Arizona moved to the Big 12 for the 2024 season, so it doesn’t count in the conference standings.
Kansas State (1-2) lost 24-21 to Army on Saturday, when their defense was worn down by Army’s run-heavy offense. The Black Knights held possession for nearly 27 minutes in the second half and 40 minutes, 32 seconds overall.
Arizona (2-0) has defeated its first two opponents by lopsided scores. This week’s game will actually be the second straight against Wildcats, as Arizona trounced Weber State 48-3 Saturday behind five touchdown passes from Noah Fifita.
Fifita completed his first 14 passes and finished 17 of 22 for 373 yards.
“We came into this game expecting to win, and we did that,” Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said after the game. “The offense was rolling. And for the second straight week, the defense held an opponent without a touchdown.
“We’ve got a big game coming this week, and we’ve got some work to do in the accountability department. We were heavily penalized tonight. Some of them were avoidable and some of them were just football. But we’re going to dive into that and make sure we’re not putting ourselves into a position where we hurt our chances to get the result we want.”
K-State hasn’t gotten the results it wants. After losing a close game to Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, the Wildcats barely escaped against FCS opponent North Dakota before being outmuscled by Army.
Army ran 41 consecutive scrimmage plays in the second half, interrupted only by a 99-yard kickoff return by K-State’s Bryce Noernberg and a botched kickoff by the Wildcats.
“I’m dang proud of that football team that we have in there,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said after the loss. “I’m disappointed in the loss. I told the guys, it ain’t sunny and 70 every day, and when it ain’t sunny and 70, who’s got to stand up? It’s got to be me.
“And I know that we have a good football team.”