WVU Opponent Breakdown: Arizona Wildcats

The West Virginia Mountaineers (3-4, 2-2) travel to face the Arizona Wildcats (3-4, 1-3) on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7pm EST and the action will air on FS1.

Arizona beat Utah 23-10 to make it three straight losses in the Big 12 Conference opener. The Wildcats also finished non-conference play with a loss to Kansas State, which was scheduled before Arizona joined the league.

In the four losses, the Wildcats lost by an average of 19.8 points, while the only possession loss came to Texas Tech, 28-22.

CRIME

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita had his Heisman hopes coming into the season by throwing for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns, a 72.4% completion rate and just six interceptions, and then started this season with 422 yards through the air against New Mexico. It started with. But his numbers have diminished, averaging 225.3 passing yards over the past six games and throwing 10 interceptions this year.

Receiver Tetairoa McMillan leads the Big 12 in receptions (47) and receiving yards (780), and the junior has four touchdowns on the year.

Quali Conley has a team-high 500 yards on 93 carries and six touchdowns, and his 25 receptions rank second on the team. The San Jose State transfer had a season-best 112 yards receiving against Northern Arizona.

DEFENSE

The Wildcats rank fifth nationally in fourth down conversion defense (6-for-20, .300).

Linebacker Jacob Manu leads the team with 47 tackles. The youngster also has a pair of pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Taye Brown leads the team in sacks (2.5) and quarterback hits (9), and according to PFF, the redshirt junior ranks eighth nationally in rushing after the quarterback 26 times through three games so far this season.

Linebacker Genesis Smith ranks third in the Big 12 with six passes defensed (6) and shares the team lead with redshirt freshman Jack Luttrell with two interceptions.