Photos: Surging Arizona football roughs up Utah 42-18 in Wildcats' Pac-12 home finale
The No. 17 Arizona Wildcats hot streak continued in a 42-18 win over the 22nd ranked Utah Utes in the final Pac-12 game ever at Arizona Stadium, Nov. 18, 2023.
Arizona linebacker Kamuela Ka'aihue (18) hits Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes, putting a stop to his scramble up the middle in third quarter of their Pac-12 game at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.
Arizona wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig motors into the end zone untouched on a pass from wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first quarter against Utah in a November 2023 matchup in Tucson.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) gets the pass off, beating the pressure from Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57), during the Wildcats' win over the Utes on Nov. 18, 2023, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman steps over Utah defensive end Connor O'Toole trying to find room to run in third quarter.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan flips the ball to the umpire after making a catch in the rain falling in the third quarter against Utah in November.
Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes, right, makes a sprawling interception on a pass intended for Utah wide receiver Mikey Matthews in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ dominant Pac-12 win at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman rumbles down to the one in the arms of Utah cornerback Tao Johnson late in fourth quarter of the Nov. 18 game, which UA won 42-18.
Arizona defensive lineman Jacob Kongaika (93) gets held by Utah offensive lineman Kolinu'u Faaiu (61) while trying to get to quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) in fourth quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona safety Dalton Johnson (43) hits Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16), forcing an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter Saturday. UA has clinched at least third place in the Pac-12 standings and could even make the title game with some help this week.
Utah wide receiver Munir McClain (4) steps over the tackle attempt by Arizona defensive back Charles Yates Jr. (17) in fourth quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona defensive lineman Jacob Kongaika (93) dives in to get a sack, dropping Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) in the fourth quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Utah tight end Landen King (82) out jumps Arizona safety Isaiah Taylor (4) for a catch late in the fourth quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, looks back on his way to the end zone after beating Utah cornerback JaTravis Broughton for a score in the final seconds of the Wildcats’ blowout win over the Utes in Tucson last November.
Arizona linebacker Anthony Ward (57), right, celebrates with his special teams teammates after he recovered his own blocked punt for a touchdown against Utah in the Wildcats’ dominant win over the Utes last month at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) celebrates his catch and run for a first down against Utah in their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Utah defensive end Van Fillinger comes from behind to stop Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan after he made a catch through the middle of the defensive backfield in first quarter. McMillan had 116 receiving yards and also threw a TD pass in the 42-18 win.
Arizona running back Michael Wiley (6) gets hugged by tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) after he broke loose to score in the second quarter against Utah at Arizona Stadium on Saturday.
Arizona safety Dalton Johnson (43) drives Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) into the turf on a second quarter sack at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) saves a touchdown on his intercepted pass, managing to stop Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu (5) in second quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Utah linebacker Levani Damuni (3) manages to catch Arizona running back Rayshon Luke (21) after he hauled in a pass in the second quarter of their Pac-12 matchup at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) gets flipped by Utah safety Nate Ritchie (31) after he had to go up to reel in a throw late in the second quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona running back Jonah Coleman turns the corner on Utah safety Austin Keetch in the first quarter of the 42-18 win.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) steps over Utah safety Sione Vaki (28) after making a catch in first quarter of Arizona’s 42-18 win over Utah on Nov. 18 at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu (5) and his defensive teammates celebrate his interception against Utah last November in Tucson.
Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) comes down after being upended by Utah safety Nate Ritchie (31) while making a catch in second quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis kneels in the end zone as the Pride of Arizona marches up behind him, leaving the field prior to the start of the Wildcats' home game against Utah in 2023.
Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) finds a seam under Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis (23) to reel in a pass at Arizona Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado, left, and cornerback Ephesians Prysock (7) put the wraps on Utah tight end Landen King. Bowl reps were on hand for UA's win, and the Dec. 28 Alamo Bowl game could be in the Wildcats' future.
Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes (2), left, and linebacker Kamuela Ka'aihue (18) Utah wide receiver Money Parks (10) during their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and coach Jedd Fisch talk during an injury timeout in the Wildcats’ dominant win over Utah on Saturday at Arizona Stadium.
The Wildcat defense surrounds Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson in Arizona’s 42-18 Pac-12 win at Arizona Stadium last year.
Utah receiver Devaughn Vele (17) gets a step on Arizona cornerback Ephesians Prysock (7) and reels in a second quarter catch in their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
A lone yellow umbrella comes out as the rain comes down in the red of the Zona Zoo student section in Arizona’s game against Utah at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Arizona wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig (5) comes off the field after a Wildcat possession gets stymied in the third quarter against Utah at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.
Arizona’s Dominic Lolesio (42) puts a stop to Utah running back Sione Vaki’s carry in the fourth quarter of their Pac-12 meeting at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.
Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) absorbs a hit from Arizona defensive lineman Tiaoalii Savea (98) after getting off a throw late in the fourth quarter of their Pac 12 game at Arizona Stadium, Nov. 18, 2023.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Arizona football wins its fifth in a row, defeating two-time Pac-12 champion Utah 42-18 Saturday afternoon at Arizona Stadium; the Wildcats are 8-3 entering the Territorial Cup.