Michael Salgado-Medina kicked a 37-yard field goal with 39 seconds left after No. 24 Arizona recovered an onside pooch kick, lifting the Wildcats to an improbable 29-28 victory over TCU early Saturday.
“It was a great feeling, being able to execute it and work so hard for it,” Salgado-Medina said after the game. “And being able to do it on a big stage like that is an amazing feeling.”
The dramatic finish kept alive the Wildcats’ Big 12 championship hopes, stretching Arizona’s home winning streak to seven games—the program’s longest since 1993-94. For the Horned Frogs, the loss marked another frustrating chapter in a season defined by narrow margins.
How Arizona Staged the Late-Game Comeback
The closing moments unfolded in rapid succession. The Wildcats (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) pulled within 28-26 when Noah Fifita connected with Quincy Craig on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 1:45 remaining, though a subsequent 2-point conversion attempt failed.
Lining up for the crucial onside kick, Ian French floated the ball over the Horned Frogs’ front line. Ed Small failed to secure the over-the-shoulder catch, allowing Arizona’s Zuri Watson to recover the loose ball at the Horned Frogs’ 26-yard line. Four plays later, Salgado-Medina converted his game-winning kick, and Tyrese Boss sealed the outcome with an interception.
Final TCU – 28 #22 Arizona – 29
“The players kept believing, the sideline was electric,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “It was just magic the way that thing finished.”
Jaden Craig Scores Twice as Horned Frogs Lose Lead
TCU (4-5, 2-4) held the upper hand for much of the contest. Jaden Craig paced the Horned Frogs with two rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yard score that put his team ahead 28-20 in the fourth quarter. Craig also threw for 232 yards, hitting Jordan Dwyer on a 6-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Yet the Horned Frogs watched a road victory over a ranked team slip away. “I’m disappointed for our players,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “It’s been a frustrating year. We’ve lost a lot of close games.”
Arizona opened the game cleanly, taking a 10-0 lead behind Isaiah Mizell’s diving 20-yard touchdown catch and Salgado-Medina’s 43-yard field goal in the first quarter. Offensive struggles followed for the Wildcats, as Fifita faced relentless pressure and trouble finding open receivers downfield.
A critical mistake before halftime shifted momentum. With Arizona driving deep into TCU territory, Fifita threw a pass to the flat that was intercepted by Hudson Hooper. Hooper broke a tackle near midfield and sprinted 93 yards for a touchdown, handing TCU a 14-10 halftime lead.
Fifita finished the night throwing for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and the lone interception.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
Both teams face tough matchups on November 14. TCU hosts Kansas State, while Arizona prepares to welcome No. 3 Utah to Tucson.
