Arizona

Arizona vs. BYU is a battle of elite defenses. Which one is better?

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

Press Room

Arizona vs. BYU is a battle of elite defenses. Which one is better?

Michael Lev
| Arizona Daily Star

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.

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%.

Who’s better at taking the ball away? Again, at least so far, it’s been Arizona.

The Wildcats average 2.2 takeaways per game, second in the conference behind Texas Tech (2.4). The Cougars are fourth at 1.8.

Even if you include fourth-down stops — Gonzales classifies those as takeaways, worthy of footballs being punctured by the Turnover Sword — Arizona has the edge. The Wildcats have 18 combined takeaways and fourth-down stops, an average of 3.6 per game. The Cougars have 15, or 3.0 per game.

BYU has been better at preventing big plays, but the difference is negligible. The Cougars have allowed 13 plays of 20-plus yards, per cfbstats.com, or 2.6 per game. The Wildcats have allowed 14 — 2.8 per game.

The real deal?

Both defenses have been elite at almost all of the above. BYU has a more extensive track record; the Cougars finished first in the Big 12 in total defense and yards allowed per play last season.

As such, it’s reasonable to believe that what BYU has accomplished so far on defense is real — and wonder whether Arizona is due for some regression. The Wildcats are new to this shutdown business, after all.

Skeptics also might question Arizona’s schedule so far. “U of A hasn’t played anybody.” About that …

We looked at three websites that calculate strength of schedule: ESPN, Sagarin and Massey. Arizona’s average SOS on those sites entering this weekend was 91. BYU’s was … also 91.

Both have faced an FCS opponent from the Big Sky Conference — Portland State (BYU) and Weber State (Arizona). Both have faced a Group of Five foe — East Carolina (BYU) and Hawaii (Arizona). Both have faced a Power Four opponent — Stanford (BYU) and Kansas State (Arizona). Both have played two conference games.

BYU has played one more road game; the ECU contest was in Greenville. Counterpoint: Arizona blew out Hawaii, which defeated Stanford the previous week. And although Stanford has a better record (2-3) than Kansas State (2-4), KSU is considered superior by most metrics. For example, ESPN’s FPI ranks K-State 43rd and Stanford 86th.

BYU coach Kalani Sitake, for one, doesn’t need any convincing. He believes Arizona’s defense is legit.

“Danny’s done a great job with the defense,” Sitake told reporters on Oct. 6. “They tackle well. They’re aggressive.

“Danny’s done a great job everywhere he’s been. He’s from that same lineage as Rocky Long, Bronco Mendenhall and them. So we’re very familiar with the defense.

“But the way he’s able to combine their base coverages with the pressures — he calls a really good game, and he can make things really difficult for any offense. So we’re going to have to be at our best.”

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Arizona

Still no ‘Nipp at night’ for Cincinnati Bearcats as Arizona announced as noon kickoff

Published

12 minutes ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

Still no ‘Nipp at night’ for Cincinnati Bearcats as Arizona announced as noon kickoff

The Cincinnati Bearcats will face the Arizona Wildcats at noon on FS1 following their bye week.
This marks the fifth daytime kickoff for the Bearcats this season and the third at noon.

For the fifth time this season, the Cincinnati Bearcats will have a daytime kickoff, and for the third time boot will meet ball at noon.

After the coming bye weekend, UC is back in action at Nippert Stadium against the Arizona Wildcats. Monday, Nov. 3, the game was announced as another “Nipp at noon” to be televised on FS1.

Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert

The Bearcats are 5-0 at home, taking a pair of noon games from then-ranked Iowa State and UCF, a pair of 3:30 starts from Bowling Green and Northwestern State and a 4 p.m. start from Baylor Oct. 25.

UC is coming off a disappointing showing at Utah, where they lost 45-14 in a game that was the equivalent of a 10:15 p.m. start in the Eastern time zone. Now, they’ll entertain Arizona from the Mountain Time Zone, meaning the kickoff for those watching in Tucson will be 10 a.m.

Still no ‘Nipp at night’ for Cincinnati Bearcats fans

Though fans enjoy the night atmosphere and teams like Utah thrive in it, UC has not had a night home game this season. The previous two seasons, they have had but three. In 2023, UC lost to the Miami RedHawks in September and to Kansas in the November season finale. Last season, they didn’t have a home night affair until the snowy season-ender vs. TCU.

After Arizona, Big 12 leader BYU is scheduled to come Nov. 22. That could be an evening possibility, but the time has yet to be released by the Big 12 and could be determined by how each team fares. BYU is at Texas Tech this weekend for ESPN College GameDay. The regular season ends in Fort Worth against TCU Nov. 29 at a time to be determined.

Cincinnati Bearcats at night under Scott Satterfield

This season, in road night games, they are 1-2 with the Nebraska loss in Kansas City, a win at Oklahoma State and the Nov. 1 defeat in Utah.

In UC’s first Big 12 campaign in 2023, they had six night games, but just two at home. They won at Pitt, lost vs. Miami University, lost at BYU, lost at Oklahoma State, won at Houston and lost vs. Kansas. That’s 2-4 overall.

Last season, it was a loss at Texas Tech, a loss at Colorado, a loss at Iowa State, a loss at Kansas State and a loss vs. TCU to put them 0-5 under lights.

Despite the popularity of football under a darkened, fall sky, the Bearcats are just 3-11 with the moon in view the past three seasons.

What about Arizona?

The Wildcats are 5-3 after crushing Colorado 52-17 Nov. 1. They are 3-3 in the Big 12 with the win over the Buffaloes and victories in Tucson over Kansas State and Oklahoma State. They lost at Iowa State, at home to BYU in double overtime and at Houston.

UC and Arizona have never met in football.

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for Nov. 2, 2025

Published

19 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for Nov. 2, 2025

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers

1-2-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

13-17-24-37-39

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

06-28-30-34-39-42

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
5 white balls = $1 million.
4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
4 white balls = $100.
3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
3 white balls = $7.
2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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