Arizona, coming off loss to SEC foe, back at home looking for its 14th straight win against UTEP
Arizona's Michael Wiley (6) returns a kickoff against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis
UTEP (1-2) at Arizona (1-1), Saturday, 11 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Line: Arizona by 17 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Arizona leads 39-11-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Arizona looks to bounce back from a tough road loss to Mississippi State and continue its dominance over UTEP. The Wildcats have won the last 13 meetings and haven't lost to the Miners in Tucson since 1957. Arizona rallied from a 14-point deficit to tie Mississippi State last week, but lost 31-24 in overtime. UTEP opened the season with wins over Jacksonville State and Incarnate Word before losing 38-7 to Northwestern last week.
KEY MATCHUP
Arizona's defense vs. UTEP's offense. The Wildcats have proven they can put up big offensive numbers under coach Jedd Fisch, but defense has held them back for years. Arizona worked to become faster and have more depth on defense and it seems to be paying off this season. The Wildcats shut down Northern Arizona in their opener and kept Mississippi State mostly in check last week. The Miners were tied at 7-all with Northwestern last week before being outscored 31-0 in the second half.
Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura (7) runs but fails to get a first down against Mississippi State in overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UTEP: LB Tyrice Knight. UTEP's senior was named the Conference USA defensive player of the week after 14 tackles in the loss to Northwestern. It was Knight's third straight double-digit tackling game of the season.
Arizona: WR Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona's athletic wideout had a career day against Mississippi State, catching eight passes for 161 yards. McMillan had a career-long 55-yard TD catch in the game.
FACTS & FIGURES
UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison is on the ground after getting sacked during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley
Arizona LB Jacob Manu leads the Pac-12 with 10.5 tackles per game. ... UTEP has given up seven turnovers while forcing one through three games. ... Arizona and UTEP played to a scoreless tie in 1930, when the Miners were known as Texas Mines. ... Arizona's defense is tied for ninth nationally in red-zone defense (4-of-8). ... The Miners are tied for sixth nationally in first downs, but are 121st in scoring and 124th in turnover margin. ... Michael Wiley is the second Arizona RB with 100 career receptions (109), joining Vance Johnson, who had 104 from 1981-84.
