FBS-CFB Game Preview: Weber State Wildcats (0-1) vs. Arizona Wildcats (1-0)

0
33

Venue & Kickoff

Location: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM MST

Broadcast: ESPN+

Capacity: 50,782

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Clear skies, warm desert night

Temperature: ~91°F at kickoff, cooling into the low 80s by the 4th quarter

Wind: Light, 3–5 mph

Precipitation: 0%

Impact: Minimal; ideal for offensive execution

Injury Report

Arizona

TE Keyan Burnett – Questionable (training camp injury)

TE Tyler Powell – Questionable (left Week 1 game)

DB Treydan Stukes – Questionable (returning from 2024 injury)

Weber State

No major injuries reported after Week 1 loss to James Madison

Team Records & Recent Form

Arizona: Balanced opener with 344 total yds (161 pass / 183 rush); QB Noah Fifita 161 pass yds, 1 TD; RB Quincy Craig 125 rush yds, 1 TD on just 7 carries. Defense forced 5 turnovers and allowed only 6 points.

Weber State: Managed just 148 total yds vs. JMU (84 pass / 64 rush); QB Jackson Gilkey 84 pass yds, 1 TD, 3 INT; RB Zach Hrbacek 39 rush yds.

Key Player Matchups

QB Noah Fifita (ARIZ) vs. Weber State Secondary

Fifita: 56.5% comp., 161 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT in opener

WSU allowed 9.1 YPA vs. JMU

RB Quincy Craig (ARIZ) vs. LB Angel King (WSU)

Craig: 17.9 YPC in opener; King: 11 tackles vs. JMU

WR Brandon Phelps (ARIZ) vs. CB Marcus Chretien (WSU)

Phelps: 2 rec, 50 yds

Chretien: 2 rec, 22 yds on offense; veteran DB

QB Jackson Gilkey (WSU) vs. Arizona Pass Rush

Gilkey: 3 INTs in opener; Arizona had 5 sacks vs. Hawaii

RB Zach Hrbacek (WSU) vs. LB Taye Brown (ARIZ)

Hrbacek: 3.3 YPC in opener

Brown: 6 tackles, 1 INT vs. Hawaii

Series History

First-ever meeting between Weber State and Arizona

Betting Trends

Arizona: Won last 6 home non-conference games; 4–1 ATS in last 5 September home games

Weber State: 5–0 ATS in last 5 September games; lost 19 of last 20 road games SU

Totals: Arizona’s last 5 September games vs. non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER

Game Odds

Weber State Wildcats                    56.5

Arizona Wildcats                             – 31.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025

Previous articleFBS-CFB Game Preview: Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1) vs. Oregon State Beavers (0-1)
Next articleFBS-CFB Game Preview: San Diego State Aztecs (1-0) vs. Washington State Cougars (1-0)
NCAAFB Editor
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.