Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said Monday that the Wildcats have turned their attention to a scheduled matchup against No. 14 BYU in Provo. The game, which serves as an early Big 12 matchup, follows Arizona's recent win over Northern Arizona.
Brennan noted that while the team is still feeling good about their previous win, the focus has shifted to the challenges of playing a well-coached opponent on the road. He remarked that the previous year's double overtime loss to BYU is in the past and not a primary focus for the current roster, which includes 50 new players.
Regarding the offensive performance against Northern Arizona, Brennan highlighted a balanced attack that included over 300 yards of passing and over 200 yards of rushing. He also commented on individual performances, praising Giovanni Richardson's ability to bounce back from an early fumble and noting the high effort shown by newcomer Cooper Blomstrom.
The Arizona coach also discussed the physical nature of the upcoming game, noting that BYU's running game will require a collective effort to bring the ball carrier to the ground. Brennan also spoke about the significance of the first few games of a season, stating that the jump in intensity and physicality between the first and second games is where teams often see significant improvements.
The matchup between Arizona and BYU features a personal connection between the coaches, as Brennan shared fond memories of living near BYU coach Kalani Sitake during their time in Corvallis. Arizona enters the contest as a 7.5-point underdog.
