Valero Alamo Bowl Recap

In the Valero Alamo Bowl, the No.12 Oklahoma Sooners, led by freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold, faced off against the No.14 Arizona Wildcats and their seasoned freshman QB, Noah Fifita. Fifita has been the starter Wildcats since week five against playoff bound No.2 Washington Huskies. The Oklahoma Sooners, it was Jackson Arnold who was getting his first ever start with the departure of transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who left for the Oregon Ducks.

Arizona took a quick 10-0 lead right out of the gate. Scoring on two of their first three possessions of the first quarter. Oklahoma looked very shaky to start the game. Their offense only amassed 26 yards on their first three possessions with 2 interceptions. While their defense had yet to get their feet underneath them allowing Arizona to gain 137 yards in the first quarter, with three plays of 20 or more yards gained.

Oklahoma finally got on the scoreboard with 13 minutes left in the second quarter on an 18-yard run by Sawchuck to cut the lead to 13-7. They had answered a 12 play 45-yard drive by Arizona which ended with a 38-yard Field Goal by Wildcat kicker Loop. Oklahoma’s defense quickly got the ball back after picking off Fifita on Arizona’s own 34-yard line. Unfortunately, on the very next play the Sooners fumbled the ball after Arnold connected with Farooq who lost control of the ball and Wildcat defensive back, Maldonando, fell on it on Arizona’s own 8-yard line.

The game had a slight feeling that it was going to be all Arizona on this night up to this point. The Sooners, on the other hand, had other ideas by forcing a Wildcat punt and then taking the ball down 92 yards on 6 plays to score the go-ahead touchdown on a 10-yard completion from Arnold to Anderson. Both teams traded punts to finish out the first half with momentum on Oklahoma’s side leading 14-13.

Oklahoma kept the heat on the Wildcats coming out of halftime, going 75 yards on 2 plays scoring on a 63-yard pass from Arnold to Thompson to take control 21-13. They scored again after another Arizona punt, kicking a 22-yard field goal by kicker Schmitt to go up 24-13. Arizona was on their heels going three and out and gaining no yards on their next possession. The Wildcats defense stiffened up forcing the Sooners to also go three and out making an important stop, but their offense could not muster much to trim the Sooner lead punting again after not gaining a single first down. The Wildcats gained only 29 yards in the third quarter. Arizona could not seem to make the plays to gain the momentum back until the end of the third quarter when, after Oklahoma’s offense marched down 61 yards and looked like they were about to put the first nail in the Wildcats coffin. Arnold connects with Farooq who took the ball into the redzone only to have it punched out by Johnson, scooped up by Maldonando who then took it 87 yards for a scoop and score cutting the Sooner lead to 24-21, and swinging all the momentum in Arizona’s favor.

The fourth quarter started the same way as it finished for the Sooners with Arnold throwing another interception. This time by defensive back Irby who returned it down to the Oklahoma 22. Arizona capitalized on the turnover by tying the game with a 37-yard field goal. While their offense was struggling, the Wildcat defense was playing close to lights out to start in the fourth quarter and forcing Oklahoma to punt once again.

Arizona’s offenses finally figured out the formula to put the Sooner defense on its heels. Driving 95 yards on 8 plays and taking the lead on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Cowing. Another fumble recovery by Arizona on the Sooner 19-yard line. Which the Wildcats did not squander by scoring on a 19-yard touchdown run by Williams to expand their lead 38-24. A turnover on downs on Oklahoma’s next possession sealed the Wildcat Alamo Bowl victory.

Both freshman quarterbacks played exceptionally well. Fifita finished the night with 314 yards on 24 for 38 passing, two touchdowns and 1 interception. His counterpart, Arnold, had a shaky start to his first collegiate game throwing two interceptions early on, but as the game rolled into its middle stages, he settled down and finished off the game with 361 yards on 26 for 45 passing, 2 touchdowns but with 3 interceptions.

Arizona's performance against Oklahoma was marked by their effective use of turnovers at the right times. The Wildcats capitalized on six turnovers, converting them into 28 points, which played massively in their 38-24 victory. Receivers Jacob Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan both had over 100 yards receiving for the Wildcats. Oklahoma did not have a receiver go over 100 yards in the game but did out gain Arizona in total yards 562 to 383 and out rushed the Wildcats by a 6:1 ratio gaining 201 yards to Arizona’s 29. Arizona's ability to seize opportunities and turn them into 29 points was the key factor to their win. Both teams and fan bases have quarterbacks they can be excited for the next season. Arnold had one start and looked every bit of a freshman starter, but also looks like he has a massive upside. Oklahoma is off to the SEC next year, which will be interesting to see how they handle that move. While Arizona moves over to the Big 12 where their wide-open offense may be able to thrive even more with an experienced Fifita.

James Paige