Arizona Wildcats Show Defensive Progress Amid Big 12 Struggles

Arizona enters its bye week 4-3 (1-3 Big 12) after back-to-back heart‑breaking losses — a double-overtime defeat to BYU and a last‑second field-goal loss at Houston — and will use the break to refocus on fundamentals under head coach Brent Brennan. The Wildcats have shown big-play potential (Noah Fifita’s 70-yard touchdown to Tre Spivey) but continue to struggle with defensive lapses in the “middle eight” and a four-game stretch of poor results on the road. New linebackers coach Josh Bringuel, hired in March after stops including Nebraska, has already helped grow depth and production in the room, with Taye Brown (46 tackles), Max Harris (45) and Chase Kennedy (newly converted linebacker with sacks) standing out. Arizona’s rushing attack remains inconsistent: Ismail Mahdi leads the backfield with 445 yards and 5.8 yards per carry while Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig have shown flashes but the group has not been a consistent factor. During the Wildcats’ bye the program is also highlighting its history with an All‑Quarter‑Century series spotlighting top offensive and defensive line performers. Meanwhile, at Montana State the linebacker room — guided by Hall of Famer Jody Owens — has focused on fundamentals and “the little things” to build uncommon depth and prepare younger players to step up late in the season.