• Arizona, BYU and Texas Tech currently have the top three defenses in the Big 12 Conference based on most statistical measures.
• While BYU leads in total defense, Arizona’s defense has allowed fewer yards per play, the lowest in the conference.
• The Wildcats’ defense also holds an edge in key areas like third-down conversions, red-zone stops and takeaways per game.

By almost every statistical measure, the three best defenses in the Big 12 Conference so far this season belong to Arizona, BYU and Texas Tech.

Two of those teams happen to be facing each other on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Arizona Stadium.

Which one actually has the better defense?

That’s what we’re going to explore in this week’s “Cats Stats.” The answer might surprise you.

At first blush, one would give the edge to the Cougars. They’re first in the league in total defense (239.6 ypg) and second in scoring defense (12.2 ppg). The Wildcats are third (244.8) and fourth (15.6), respectively.

Even if you adjust the latter to account for the pick-six against Arizona last week, the Wildcats are still two points worse per game than the Cougars.

But we like to dig beneath the surface here at Cats Stats Inc. Other numbers better illustrate the effectiveness of the UA defense under Danny Gonzales.

The statistic most often cited to measure a defense’s worth is yards per play. Arizona has the edge in that category — over everyone else in the conference.

The UA has allowed 3.92 yards per play. Texas Tech is second at 3.94. BYU is third at 4.06. No one else is under 4.50.

If you separate run and pass defense, you can argue that the advantages each side has basically cancel each other out. But we would argue that the gap between BYU and Arizona against the run is narrower than the gap between the Wildcats and Cougars against the pass.

BYU allows 92.2 rushing yards per game and 2.8 per attempt; Arizona is at 96.6 and 3.0. Not much of a difference.

The Wildcats have the No. 1 pass defense in the conference in terms of yards allowed per game (147.2) and per attempt (4.9). The Cougars are barely behind them in the former (147.4). They’re nearly a full yard behind in the latter (5.8).

Arizona also has a sizable edge in completion percentage allowed (51.3% vs. 57.0%) and sacks per game (2.6 vs. 2.0). Overall, the Wildcats spend more time in the opposition’s backfield, averaging a league-best 8.60 tackles for loss per game. BYU is sixth at 6.20.

Arizona football tickets vs BYU most expensive of season

Conversion case

Still not convinced? Let’s dig deeper.

Two areas that are critical to team success are third-down and red-zone efficiency. Arizona’s defense has been better than BYU’s, both through five games.

The Wildcats have allowed opponents to convert 25.7% of their third downs. Only Texas Tech, at 25.4%, has been better in the Big 12. BYU is third at 29.7%.

(In a related development, Arizona has been slightly better at first-down prevention. The UA has allowed 13.2 first downs per game, tied with Texas Tech for the fewest in the Big 12. BYU is third at 14.8.)

Arizona is No. 1 in the conference at keeping the opposition out of the end zone once it crosses the 20-yard line. The Wildcats have allowed a touchdown on only 42.9% of opponents’ red-zone opportunities. The Cougars are tied for fourth in the league at 50%.

TORTILLA FLAT, AZ (AZFamily) — Historic highway state Route 88, also known as the Apache Trail, is quickly gaining a different kind of reputation.

“Morning, noon, and night, people have accidents because they underestimate the danger of this road and at the same time overestimate their driving ability and it’s very dangerous,” said Paul Robinson, who works in Tortilla Flat along SR 88.

He said tragic crashes on the historic road are becoming more common. “I’ve seen people when I wake up in the morning to open up the place, I’ve seen kids limping down the road trying to find some help,” said Robinson. “Most of the time, it’s young kids who have their whole life ahead of them.”

On Thursday, crews worked to get a motorcyclist back up to the street after crashing and going down a steep hill. The biker appeared to be OK. The night before, three people were rescued and flown to the hospital after their car went off the cliff. The rescue took nearly four hours and ADOT had to close a section of SR 88.

Last month, two more people had to be rescued after they drove off the road. Both of them were rushed to the hospital.

While the Department of Public Safety patrols the highway, the Arizona Department of Transportation maintains it.

ADOT says the keys to staying safe on the historic, winding SR 88 are obeying the speed limit, staying alert and not driving impaired.

Speed limits range from 25 and 40 mph but lower advisory speed limits are often between 15 and 25 mph.

“SR 88’s designation as an (sic) historic roadway limits changes allowed along the highway. It also travels through the Tonto National Forest, which means there are federal environmental limits,” ADOT said in a statement.

Robinson offered advice for those who choose to travel the scenic route. “My message would be to enjoy the scenery. Take things slower, it’s more fun, you know, enjoying the beautiful view, enjoying music and being more mellow as opposed to risking your life and getting that adrenaline going because it’s just not worth it,” he said.

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PHOENIX – A man caught with over 15 pounds of methamphetamine and an AR-15 rifle during a traffic stop in Phoenix was sentenced to five years in prison last week, authorities announced Thursday.

Luis Fernando Gaxiola-Simons previously pleaded guilty to one count each of transportation of a dangerous drug for sale and misconduct involving weapons.

A Maricopa County judge issued the sentence, which included a total fine and surcharge of $5,370, on Sept. 29, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

What led to man being sentenced on drug and weapon charges?

Gaxiola-Simons was arrested on May 23 by officers who initially pulled him over for a traffic violation. At the time, the AR-15 was in plain view between the passenger seat and center console, according to prosecutors.

Furthermore, Gaxiola-Simons was in possession of three loaded cartridges for the semi-automatic weapon, which had been defaced, prosecutors said.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 15.54 pounds of meth in 15 burrito-shaped packages.

“In addition to fentanyl and carfentanil, we’re stopping an increasing number of transnational drug traffickers transporting methamphetamine and cocaine through Arizona,” state Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a press release.

“My criminal division remains laser-focused on prosecuting individuals responsible for the scourge of drugs coming over our southern border. If you are trafficking drugs through Arizona, you will be found and you will be held accountable.”

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