Smith benched, Coogs collapse (again!)
Article By: THE HOUSTON POST
Staff writer
In a game that was decided early, the Arizona Wildcats (7-3) showcased their dominance over the Houston Cougars (3-7) Wednesday evening, cruising to a 34-6 victory at TDECU Stadium. The Wildcats stormed out to a 31-6 halftime lead, leaving little doubt about the outcome. Arizona head coach TeeWade eased up in the second half, but the damage had already been done.
Houston’s struggles started early as Quarterback Donovan Smith endured a nightmare performance, completing just 9 of 22 passes for 86 yards while throwing four interceptions—all in the first half. Coach Rags pulled Smith in favor of redshirt freshman Caleb McMickle, who showed promise with a composed and promising outing despite the steep deficit.
Arizona’s offense was efficient and methodical, outgaining the Cougars 410-162 in total yards. Quarterback Noah Fifita led the charge, throwing for two touchdowns and directing a balanced attack that Houston’s defense had no answers for. Meanwhile, Arizona’s defense feasted, capitalizing on Smith's turnovers and locking down Houston’s running game.
“We executed well, stuck to the game plan, and played disciplined football,” said Coach Wade. “The guys showed focus from start to finish.”
Despite the lopsided score, Wade called off the attack in the second half, opting for conservative play-calling that kept the clock running (Cougar faithful THANK YOU). Even so, the Wildcats left an indelible mark on the Cougars.
Houston’s postgame atmosphere was tense. Head coach Yragha, visibly frustrated, offered a cryptic remark: “Must be nice that their players know our plays better than we do.”
The comment fueled speculation about communication breakdowns or issues within the program as the Cougars suffered their third consecutive loss.
The Wildcats, continue their march toward a potential bowl bid, while the Cougars are left searching for answers with two games remaining in a disappointing season.
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