Cougs can’t hold early lead, fall to Arizona 34-24

Arizona overcomes 14-0 first-quarter deficit behind Noah Fifita's four TD passes.

Sep 26, 2026, 8:50 PM

Maxwell Woods of the WSU Cougars carries the ball during a college football game. (Brien Aho/Getty Images)

(Brien Aho/Getty Images)

PULLMAN — Noah Fifita threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns and Arizona overcame a halftime deficit for a 34-24 victory over the WSU Cougars on Saturday night.

Arizona Wildcats 34, WSU Cougars 24: Box Score

Tre Spivey had seven catches for 129 yards and two scores for the Wildcats (3-1) in the game between the two former Pac-12 foes.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Cougars (1-3) at home. Caden Pinnick threw for 241 yards and a touchdown.

Pinnick also ran 11 yards for a touchdown on Washington State’s opening drive. Safety Jackquintin Bal intercepted Fifita and ran 25 yards for a touchdown to put Washington State up 14-0. It was Fifita’s second interception of the season.

@JackBal8 PICK SIX ‼️

ALL COUGS EARLY pic.twitter.com/2plrWinV7f

— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) September 27, 2026

Before time ran out on the first quarter, Fifita hit Spivey with a 28-yard touchdown pass to narrow the gap.

Spivey also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14. He had six receptions for 125 yards and both TDs in the first half alone.

Washington State had a chance to go in front but Jack Stevens’ 39-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Tre Smith. Stevens is 1-6 on field goals this season.

Jay’Vion Cole appeared to intercept Pinnick, but he did not have full control of the ball when he went out of bounds so it was ruled an incomplete pass. Stevens capped the drive with a 33-yard field goal to put Washington State ahead 17-14 at halftime.

Arizona’s Michael Salgado-Medina’s 42-yard field goal went wide right to open the second half. The Cougars blocked a 43-yard Salgado-Medina attempt to stay in front.

Fifita hit freshman Caleb Smith with a 38-yard touchdown pass to put Wildcats on top 21-17. Salgado-Medina added a 27-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.