Arizona Wildcats and BYU Cougars meet in Provo as BIg 12 opponents

PROVO, Utah – For the first time since 1977, the Arizona Wildcats and BYU Cougars will compete as conference members.

Arizona and BYU both competed in the Western Athletic Conference until 1978, when the Wildcats joined the Pac-8 with rival Arizona State to form the Pac-10. The Cougars left the WAC in 1999 to join the Mountain West before playing as an independent program from 2011-22.

The Wildcats' last win in Provo at LaVell Edwards Stadium (then called Cougar Stadium) was in 1975.

Earlier this week, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said he was “really excited about (the Wildcats) joining the conference” and that the Cougars will host the Wildcats in Provo.

“I have a lot of respect for them and their fan base,” Sitake said of Arizona. “I know their families and their fans will be treated really well by our fans here. “Hopefully it's a great experience overall other than it works in our favor on the scoreboard.”

Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said the Cougars “present a lot of challenges.” For one thing, he pointed to the Cougars' overall maturity — a testament to the school's connection to Latter-day Saints, which leads a significant number of players to spend two years serving a religious mission in a particular part of the world; Afterwards, players often return to BYU to continue their football careers.

“I have coached against many BYU teams throughout my career. I think one of the things that strikes you is that this is an incredibly mature group,” Brennan said. “It's not just the age, it's the life experiences that come with that age. They traveled halfway around the world, preached the good word in another place, and had to live on their own, grow up and mature, and I think it gives them a newfound love of football and inspires them in that way.

“We always talk about the race to maturity of our own team. Because of the way things are structured there, that gives them some advantages.”

When Arizona (3-2) meets No. 14 BYU (5-0) at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, there will be a lot at stake for both teams.

A win for BYU would move the Cougars into first place in the Big 12 standings and make them bowl eligible. A win for Arizona would help the Wildcats avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since the start of last season – and end a three-game losing streak against the Cougars.

A win for either team would give them a one-game lead in the all-time series, secured at 12-12-1.

Now the Big 12 conference opponents, the Wildcats and Cougars, meet every year. Here are five memorable Arizona-BYU games from recent times:

Score: BYU 18, Arizona 16

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale

The overview: In the season opener at the home of the Arizona Cardinals, the Cougars were led on offense by two future NFL players: running back Jamaal Williams and quarterback Taysom Hill. Hill threw for 202 yards and a touchdown; Williams finished the night with 162 rushing yards on 29 carries. After Arizona's 49-yard Nick Wilson touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats failed a 2-point conversion attempt but were ahead by a point until BYU kicker Jake Oldroyd made a game-winning 33-yard field goal with four seconds left. Goal shot remained on the clock to give Cougars head coach Kilani Sitake his first win at the helm.

Score: BYU 28, Arizona 23

The overview: The Cougars ended Arizona's honeymoon period with first-year head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin's history of coaching elite college quarterbacks from Case Keenum (Houston) to Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), coupled with the excitement that sparked Arizona's star quarterback Khalil Tate after a breakthrough 2017 season – landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated as Heisman Trophy contenders, the Wildcats were hoping to make a splash after a loss in the Foster Farms Bowl the year before. BYU running back Squally Canada's three touchdowns and Tucson native Matt Bushman's 24-yard touchdown catch gave the Cougars an 18-point lead. Despite a 13-point performance by Arizona in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats fell short in Sumlin's debut.

Score: BYU 24, Arizona 16

Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

The overview: Once again, Arizona began a new coaching era with a season-opening game against BYU. This time the Wildcats and Cougars played each other in the Las Vegas Raiders' new stadium, the first game after the pandemic. Because the Arizona-BYU game took place before the Raiders' season opener, it set a record for the most-attended sporting event in Nevada sports history. Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz completed 34 of 45 passes for 336 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first start, but the Wildcats lost in a hard-fought battle and began Jedd Fisch's tenure with a loss. It was the 13th loss in Arizona's 20-game losing streak.

Score: Arizona 16, BYU 13

The overview: After BYU tied the game at 13-13 with a field goal, Mike Stoops' Arizona team went on a 13-play, 44-yard drive and needed kicker Nick Folk to make a field goal with 5:18 left There was still 48 yards left with one second left. That was the first of two losses for BYU this season before the Cougars won 10 straight games and secured the Mountain West championship and the Las Vegas Bowl.

Score: Arizona 31, BYU 21

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas (Las Vegas Bowl)

The overview: Arizona ended its 10-year bowl drought with a win over BYU in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl in head coach Mike Stoops' fifth season. Senior quarterback Willie Tuitama finished his UA career with a 325-yard, two-touchdown performance. Tuitama connected with seven different pass catchers, including wide receivers Mike Thomas, Juron Criner, Terrell Turner and Delashaun Dean, tight end Rob Gronkowski, fullback Chris Gronkowski and running back Keola Antolin. Thomas set the Pac-10 all-time receptions record with 259. BYU's offense, led by quarterback Max Hall and wide receiver Austin Collie, totaled 444 yards of offense but committed five turnovers.