Arizona trounced in Friday night battle of Wildcats

After a 14 play, 73 yard touchdown drive to take a 7-0 lead in th first quarter, nothing else went right for No. 20 Arizona (2-1).

No. 14 Kansas State (3-0) had its way in a 31-7 game. The new Big 12 foes are still 0-0 in Big 12 play since this was a non-conference game due to prior scheduling when Arizona was still in the Pac-12.

19-year-old sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson had his way with the Arizona defense through the air and on the ground, combining for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan connected 11 times for 138 yards, but the rest of the offense was stifled.

Kansas State played more physical, faster, and cleaner than Arizona in all three phases of the game.

It’s not time to panic in Tucson, but there is cause for concern. One alarming stat: Arizona has 28 penalties for 169 yards through three games. That has to be cleaned up if Brent Brennan’s team is going to finish near the top of the Big 12.

Arizona is on a bye next week, before a road game against No. 12 Utah on September 28. That game will show us who this team really is under the new staff.