TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Noah Fifita threw for 373 yards and five touchdowns in three quarters, Javin Whatley caught two touchdowns and Arizona rolled to a weather-delayed 48-3 win over Weber State on Saturday night.
Lightning led to a delay of more than two hours, but it did little to slow down Arizona (2-0) against the FCS Wildcats (0-2).
Arizona raced out to a 24-0 first-quarter lead, pushed it to 34-0 by halftime and racked up 556 total yards. Its defense had a second straight dominating game, holding Weber State to 184 total yards while forcing two turnovers, including a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jay’Vion Cole.
Offensive coordinator Seth Doege wanted Arizona to sharpen up its passing game after last week’s 40-6 win over Hawaii and Fifita responded with a highly-efficient performance. The third-year starter completed his first 14 passes and finished 17 for 22. Whatley had five catches for 168 yards.
Fifita hit Whatley on a 31-yard TD pass on Arizona’s opening drive and found him again on its next play from scrimmage for an 85-yard score. Fifita found Tre Spivey on a 10-yard touchdown late in the first quarter and added a 13-yard scoring pass to Brandon Phelps in the second.
Ismail Mahdi opened the second half by turning a third-and-22 screen pass into a 27-yard touchdown and Cole’s pick-6 made it 48-0.
The takeaway
Weber State: The Wildcats were blown out by James Madison last week and were no match for the bigger, faster Arizona Wildcats.
Arizona: The Wildcats had no trouble getting going after the weather delay, beating up on an FCS opponent before facing a tough game on a short week against Kansas State.
Up next
Weber State plays at McNeese State next Saturday.
Arizona hosts Kansas State next Friday.
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