Photos: Arizona falls behind early but storms back to bury Northern Illinois 42-17
The Wildcats take down the Huskies 42-17, September 19, 2026, Tucson, Ariz., and bounce back from last weekend's loss to BYU.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita outruns the Northern Illinois defense as he scrambles his way to a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game on Sept. 19, 2026.
Arizona linebacker Cooper Blomstrom exults after his sack stopped Northern Illinois quarterback Taron Dickens short of the end zone on fourth down in the third quarter of their game on Sept. 19, 2026.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) tries to fight off Northern Illinois linebacker Jashawn Nelson (6) on a run in the third quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter (11) sprawls out full extension but can’t reel in the pass abasing Northern Illinois in the fourth quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita gets carried by his teammates after setting the school's all-time career passing record in the fourth quarter against Northern Illinois on Sept. 19, 2026.
Arizona linebacker Dash Fifita bows to his brother, quarterback Noah Fifita, after Noah set the school's all-time career passing record in the fourth quarter against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona tight end Tyler Powell celebrates after hauling in a touchdown catch on fourth down against Northern Illinois in the third quarter on Sept. 19, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Sawyer Anderson (7) scrambles out of the pocket and picks up positive yardage despite Northern Illinois defensive back Aaron Warren’s (12) grip on his shirt in the fourth quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter (11) protects the ball from the desperation strip attempt Northern Illinois cornerback Marshall Washington Jr. (20) as he head for a score in the first quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey (12) gets to celebrate after hauling in a pass in the back corner of the end zone for a second quarter touchdown against Northern Illinois, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona wide receiver Caleb Smith (20) cruises into the end zone as the Pride of Arizona celebrates his punt return for a touchdown late in the second quarter against Northern Illinois, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona cornerback Tyrese Boss (9) keeps Northern Illinois wide receiver Kelan McInerney (19) from getting his hands on a pass in the first quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws from the pocket during the fourth quarter against Northern Illinois, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey (12) gets launched into Northern Illinois cornerback Dev'ion Reynolds (9) by defensive back Andruw Ellis (30) after making a catch in the third quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi (21) squirts through the mass of humanity on the line for a gain against Northern Illinois in the third quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona running back Antwan Roberts (44) jukes his way out of the tackle from Northern Illinois safety Kyon Conyers (16) after making a catch in the fourth quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona linebacker Max Harris (5), top, and safety Malcolm Hartzog (15) put a double whammy on Northern Illinois tight end Liam Russo (87), Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Northern Illinois running back Telly Johnson Jr. (45) can’t get past the defense of Arizona cornerback Tyrese Boss (9) and safety Gavin Hunter (23), Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona defensive lineman Dominic Lolesio gets a touch but can’t bring down Northern Illinois quarterback Taron Dickens on Sept. 19, 2026.
Arizona cornerback Xaier Hiler (30) picks up the pass interference call trying to defend a looping pass to Northern Illinois wide receiver Zaire McKinney (88) late in the fourth quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Northern Illinois safety Kyon Conyers (16) hits Arizona wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III (84) as he tries to get outside on a catch in the third quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona cornerback Tyrese Boss celebrates early as wide receiver Caleb Smith heads for the end zone on a punt return late in the second quarter against Northern Illinois on Sept. 19, 2026, in Tucson.
Northern Illinois wide receiver DeAree Rogers (1) leaps to snare a high throw in front of Arizona linebacker Jabari Mann (11) in the second quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) abandons the pocket under pressure in the second quarter of the game against Northern Illinois, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona tight end Cole Rusk (14) fights for an extra yard or two with Northern Illinois cornerback Malik Armstrong (14) after his catch in the second quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan leads the bench out to greet the defense after a stop on Northern Illinois in the first quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona linebacker Dash Fifita (0) makes a dive but comes up short of Northern Illinois quarterback Taron Dickens (5) in the first quarter, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter, right, gets to dance in the end zone after a catch-and-run touchdown against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano gets stopped just short of the goal line by Northern Illinois linebacker Jashawn Nelson in the third quarter of their game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona linebacker Dash Fifita (0) tracks down a tennis ball getting his eye dialed in for the upcoming game against Northern Illinois, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Arizona offensive lineman Javian Goo (62) takes a quiet moment before things get rolling as the Wildcats prepare to face Northern Illinois, Tucson, Ariz., September 19, 2026.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Noah Fifita became Arizona’s all-time passing yards leader, passing Nick Foles, in the Wildcats’ blowout win over Northern Illinois.
Notable storylines, statistics and quotes from Arizona’s dominant win over NIU, including Noah Fifita making history as the Wildcats’ all-time passing yards leader.