BYU vs Arizona: Five Fun Facts
Five things you should know about the series between the Cougars and the Wildcats.
BYU and Arizona will face off for the 25th time when the two teams open the 2021 season against each other in Las Vegas on Saturday. The Cougars and the Wildcats were one-time rivals in the WAC, playing annually from 1962 to 1977 until Arizona left to join the Pac-10.
If BYU wins on Saturday, it will mark only the second time that the Cougars have won three straight games in the series. They also ran off three consecutive victories from 1965 to 1967.
Here are five fun facts every BYU fan should know about this series:
Milestone Victory
BYU’s first-ever victory over a ranked opponent occurred against Arizona when the Cougars took down the no. 16 Wildcats 37-13 on October 26, 1974. Gary Sheide threw for 267 yards and five touchdowns to spoil Arizona’s hopes of claiming the WAC title. The victory ultimately helped propel BYU to its second-ever conference championship and first bowl game appearance in the 1974 Fiesta Bowl.
Familiar Foe
Arizona is the most common season-opening opponent for BYU over the past 100 years. This season will mark the eighth time that Cougars have opened a season against the Wildcats. BYU is 4-2-1 in the previous seven season-openers between the two teams. The Cougars have beaten Arizona in three consecutive season openers, starting with a 20-7 triumph in 2007 that marked Max Hall’s first career start at BYU.
First Kick
Jake Oldroyd became a BYU legend when he made his college football debut against Arizona in 2016. Oldroyd came out to attempt a 33-yard field goal with eight seconds left. The freshman sent his first career field goal through the uprights and gave the Cougars an 18-16 victory in Kalani Sitake’s first game as head coach. Oldroyd’s heroics saved BYU after the Cougars blew a 15-3 fourth-quarter lead.
Running Wild
After withdrawing from school in 2015 and redshirting, Jamaal Williams returned for a record-setting senior season in 2016. Williams ran for 1,375 yards over 10 games on his way to becoming BYU’s all-time career rushing leader. His memorable season started in spectacular fashion against Arizona. He rushed for 162 yards on 29 carries in the Cougars’ 18-16 win over the Wildcats. Williams would go on to post four 100-yard games and two 200-yard games during his final season.
Dynamic Debut
No BYU quarterback posted more victories in their career than Max Hall. He carved out a 32-7 record as a starter during his three years with the Cougars. It all began against Arizona in the 2007 season opener. Hall threw for 288 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 26-of-39 passing, leading BYU to a 20-7 victory over the Wildcats. The Cougars led by as many as 20 points before giving up a late touchdown.