College football is weird. One week you’re a bottom-dweller looking for any sign of life, and the next, you’re trading blows in a "middle-eight" slugfest that decides bowl eligibility. That's basically the story of the houston vs arizona football rivalry lately. If you weren’t at TDECU Stadium or glued to FS1 this past October, you missed a game that honestly felt more like a chess match with pads on.
Houston came out on top 31-28 in that 2025 matchup. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. For a program that hadn't seen a bowl game since 2022, hitting that six-win mark against a gritty Arizona team was massive. Ethan Sanchez, the kicker who probably won’t have to pay for a meal in Houston for a while, nailed a 41-yarder as time expired.
Walk-off wins are the best, aren't they? Unless you're a Wildcats fan.
The Quarterback Duel: Weigman vs. Fifita
Most people thought this game would be a shootout between two high-flying offenses. It kinda was, but in a ground-and-pound sort of way that surprised the experts.
Conner Weigman, the Texas A&M transfer who took over the Houston offense, was the real deal. He didn’t just throw for three touchdowns; he used his legs to gut the Arizona defense for 98 rushing yards. It’s funny because everyone talks about his arm, but it was his 10-yard scoring run in the second quarter that really settled the Cougars down.
On the other side, Noah Fifita was surgically efficient. He went 24-of-26. Think about that for a second. Only two incompletions the entire game! He found Tre Spivey for a 70-yard bomb early on that silenced the Houston crowd, and for a minute, it looked like Arizona was going to run away with it.
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But the Wildcats' defense just couldn't get off the field. Houston outgained them on the ground 232 to 112. When you’re giving up a hundred yards to a quarterback and another hundred to a guy like Dean Connors, you’re asking for trouble.
A Tale of Two Halves
The flow of this game was erratic. Houston went into the locker room at halftime up 21-14, thanks to a late 15-yard strike from Weigman to Tanner Koziol.
Then came the third quarter. Houston's coach, Willie Fritz, clearly told his guys to keep the ball on the ground. They put together a soul-crushing 17-play drive that took nine minutes off the clock. Nine minutes! That’s basically an eternity in modern football. Amare Thomas caught a 2-yard pass to cap it off, and suddenly it was a 14-point lead.
Arizona didn't quit. They clawed back in the fourth. Tre Spivey scored again, this time on the ground, and Kedrick Reescano tied it up at 28-all with under five minutes left. It felt like we were headed for overtime, just like Arizona’s heartbreaking double-OT loss to BYU the week before.
But Weigman and Sanchez had other plans.
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History and the Big 12 Shift
We have to look at the bigger picture here. This houston vs arizona football series is still relatively fresh. Before they became Big 12 rivals, these teams hardly ever saw each other.
In fact, Arizona had won the previous matchup in 2024, a 27-3 "thumping" in Tucson where Houston looked completely lost. Back then, Tyler Loop was the hero for Arizona, even knocking through a 62-yard field goal. Fast forward a year, and the roles completely flipped.
- 2025: Houston 31, Arizona 28 (Houston, TX)
- 2024: Arizona 27, Houston 3 (Tucson, AZ)
- 2018: Houston 45, Arizona 18 (Houston, TX)
- 2017: Houston 19, Arizona 16 (Tucson, AZ)
The all-time record now sits at 4-2 in favor of Houston. It’s becoming one of those "home team always wins" kind of vibes, except for that 2017 game where Houston managed to steal one in the desert.
Why the Run Defense Failed Arizona
If you ask Brent Brennan what went wrong, he’d probably point straight at the rushing stats. Arizona’s defense has been solid against the pass for most of the season, but they’ve been "carved up like Swiss cheese" on the ground lately.
Between the BYU game and this Houston loss, they gave up nearly 500 rushing yards. That is a recipe for disaster. Danny Gonzales, the defensive coordinator, tried to adjust, but Houston’s offensive line was just more physical at the point of attack.
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You’ve gotta credit Willie Fritz here. He knew Arizona struggled with mobile quarterbacks, so he dialed up the QB runs. It’s the kind of situational coaching that separates the bowl-bound teams from the ones staying home in December.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For Houston, the win was a springboard. They finished the 2025 regular season with a 10-3 record, eventually beating LSU in the Texas Bowl. That’s a massive turnaround from where they were just a year prior.
Arizona’s path was a bit more of a rollercoaster. They ended up in the Holiday Bowl, losing a close one to SMU 24-19. They have the talent, especially with Fifita and Spivey returning, but they have to fix that run defense if they want to compete for a Big 12 title in 2026.
Honestly, this matchup is becoming a sneaky-good rivalry in the new-look Big 12. Both schools are trying to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the conference after the departures of Texas and Oklahoma.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following this matchup for future seasons, keep these specific points in mind:
- Watch the "Middle-Eight": Both coaches are obsessed with the four minutes before and after halftime. In 2025, Houston won that stretch and won the game.
- Quarterback Mobility is Key: Arizona has consistently struggled against QBs who can scramble. If Houston (or any opponent) has a dual-threat under center, the over on rushing yards is a solid look.
- Home Field Advantage: TDECU Stadium (The Cage) has become a house of horrors for the Wildcats. The travel and the humidity in Houston definitely play a role.
- Kicking Matters: In a conference as tight as the Big 12, games are frequently decided by three points or less. Tyler Loop and Ethan Sanchez are among the best in the country; never count out a team that can score from 50+ yards away.
Keep an eye on the 2026 recruiting classes for both programs. Houston is leaning heavily into the portal for offensive linemen, while Arizona is desperately trying to add bulk to their defensive front. The next time these two meet, the battle in the trenches will tell you everything you need to know before the first whistle even blows.