11 Noah Fifita

[Chicat]

Now THAT was a truly idiotic comment. What does that even mean? I think I need some of what you are drinking or smoking

Let me know if you want to rename this thread. I think I still have mod powers so if we need it to be “Defense Wins Championships” or something just say the word. I’m all in.

sarcasm
noun [ U ]
US /ˈsɑːr.kæz.əm/ UK /ˈsɑː.kæz.əm/

The use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, especially in order to insult someone, or to show irritation, or just to be funny. For example, saying "they're really on top of things" to describe a group of people who are very disorganized is using sarcasm.

[Chicat]

Fifita the starter forever.

[EastCoastCat]

Fifita the starter forever.

Thanks for the oh so obvious interpretation of what he said.

[Carcassdragger]

Sometimes the local football press folks have a bit to be desired. During the presser today there was a general question about the health of the team/qbs. I would like the question to be. "IF JDL and Noah are 100% healthy Saturday night at 7:30 pm, who is starting?"

[azcat49]

Probably doesn’t matter how he might answer it, he will want OSU TO gane plan for both of possible

[Chicat]

Noah Fifita is 115-153 (75%) for 1,199 yards
11 TDs, and 3 INTs in 17 quarters.

16 of those quarters were against ranked opponents.

[OSUCat]

Oregon state is also a well coach defense that really mixes up looks and coverages. It takes good discipline to play well against them.

If he can get the timing of the deep pass so that he is hitting wr in stride, it will take him to another level.

[Merkin]

Even on that pick, the defender was wearing white and camped on the white center logo on the 50, so I really can't blame Noah for not seeing him too much. I am not even sure T-Mac saw him either either.

[CopaCat]

Noah Fifita is 115-153 (75%) for 1,199 yards
11 TDs, and 3 INTs in 17 quarters.

16 of those quarters were against ranked opponents.

The guy was great in HS. Only measurables held him back a bit in the rankings. Not surprised at all he has taken the reigns like a boss.

[Alieberman]

I have not followed college football at all this year-

But I would think he is a shoe-in for Pac Freshmen player of the year?

Where would he rank nationally for Freshman of the year?

[OSUCat]

Even on that pick, the defender was wearing white and camped on the white center logo on the 50, so I really can't blame Noah for not seeing him too much. I am not even sure T-Mac saw him either either.

Cowing sat in the zone but started drifting left into LB coverage. Probably a two person mistake. Also give the LB credit for actually catching the Int. Davis at that point dropped 3.

[azcat49]

I have not followed college football at all this year-

But I would think he is a shoe-in for Pac Freshmen player of the year?

Where would he rank nationally for Freshman of the year?

Only guy in the conference I can think who could challenge is Branch from USC and his numbers will be no where near what Noah’s will be.

Nationally, USF has a freshman QB who has put up decent numbers and one of the directional Michigan schools has a RB who should get 1000 yards but I think you might be on to something.

[dmjcat]

More awards for Fifita:

https://arizonawildcats.com/news/2023/1 ... eek-9.aspx

[84Cat]

More awards for Fifita:

https://arizonawildcats.com/news/2023/1 ... eek-9.aspx

Go vote for Noah: https://allstatesugarbowl.org/poll.aspx?poll=21

[84Cat]

[Chicat]

His run of weekly accolades is almost Khalil Tate-esque, but in a totally different manner of play. Tate of course blew everyone away with his athleticism and explosive plays. Fifita is just rock steady.

[MrMeow]

His run of weekly accolades is almost Khalil Tate-esque, but in a totally different manner of play. Tate of course blew everyone away with his athleticism and explosive plays. Fifita is just rock steady.

you have to love the Servite guys, all four of them, but especially Noah Fifita. He lead the way. I read in detail the saga of their recruitment, including Ms. Fifita's appeal to T-Mac to peel him away from his dream school, the Quacks. Then there's the, "hey we also have a linebacker you should look at" which resulted in Jacob Manu. Really, a wonderful story.

[EastCoastCat]

You get the sense, albeit from a very small sample size, that Fifita is that type of QB that just knows how to make the right plays at the right time. A hackneyed expression but he’s just a winner.

I have so much more confidence that he will manage the game and put us in a position to win.

No offense to Jayden who came to Az when we were at rock bottom, but JDL is too much of a gunslinger/Brett Favre type for my liking.

[84Cat]

[EastCoastCat]

I can’t believe how much poise this kid has already. I was worried after that early interception he was going to have a rough game but he came right back like nothing ever happened.

BTW, on that interception McLachlan made a heck of a lunging tackle or that’s a pick 6.

[KillerKlown]

This would have to make him freshman of the year wouldn't it?

[AZCatGirl]

The Noah Fifita Pac-12 Freshman Award.

[Alieberman]

I wonder if he will start next week?

[AzCatFan2]

First, agreed the tackle by Maclaughlin on the interception was one of the best plays of the game. The int was a miscommunication. Fifita thought Mac would sit in the zone, where Mac read the play right and kept running to the open corner. After the play, Fifita went over to Mac and said a mea culpa. Probably thanked Mac for his hustle, because not only did it save 7 points, they missed the FG. Fifita and Mac were on the same page the rest of the night.

Was watching ABC 15 Phoenix last night with Mark May discussion Arizona football. He was incredibly impressed with Fifita. Amazing poise for a freshman. Will take the shot down field when it's open, but just as content to methodically move the ball down the field if that's what the D is giving him. Also said the entire team is just having fun out there, and every good play is celebrated by 6, 7 or 8 teammates close by, and then the entire team coming off the field. Said it's a joy to watch.

A lot of this comes back to Fifita's decision making. He reads defenses and goes through progressions as good as any Arizona QB I've ever seen. He made one mistake early against UCLA, and didn't make one the rest of the night. Simply amazing.

[azcat49]

What other freshman are playing promo are roles in the conference?

[ASUHATER!]

30/41 for 527 yards and 5 tds (and 1 int) vs ASU is pretty good right

[scumdevils86]

In 8 starts:

2507 yards
23 TDs
5 Ints
313 ypg
73% completion rate
167.3 QB rating

[Merkin]

Not a practice player.

[EastCoastCat]

Might be the most accurate passer in Arizona history. Tight throws, long balls, leading the receiver…

He can make all the throws even from non-traditional positions.

[AzCatFan2]

Accuracy and great decision maker. Reads the field well and rarely makes the wrong throw. Only mistake was not reading the LB on the interception. But nearly perfect the rest of the game.

[IrishAzCat]

He was amazing all season - he never got rattled and kept us in every game...

[84Cat]

[Robert A Booey]

Number 5 in the nation in QBR. Pretty surprised that he is this good especially as a redshirt freshman.

[Carcassdragger]

Considering what he is doing on the field and what he has done in terms of recruiting for this program, he is becoming one of the all time great wildcats.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Heisman next year.

[EastCoastCat]

I know it’s a small sample size but he may just be the best QB I’ve ever seen at Arizona.

[ASUHATER!]

He should honestly be in the Heisman convo this year

[Merkin]

I know it’s a small sample size but he may just be the best QB I’ve ever seen at Arizona.

I have never had more confidence in a QB in a 3rd down situation since Joe Montana at ND.

Fifita reminds me of Keith Smith, super accurate QB with good wheels, although Smith was a better runner.

[ztonyg]

I know it’s a small sample size but he may just be the best QB I’ve ever seen at Arizona.

I agree. Although at times I really did like Tate.

Foles never really impressed me but he went on to have a long NFL career and was the Super Bowl MVP.

[IrishAzCat]

He should honestly be in the Heisman convo this year

[EastCoastCat]

I know it’s a small sample size but he may just be the best QB I’ve ever seen at Arizona.

Fifita reminds me of Keith Smith, super accurate QB with good wheels, although Smith was a better runner.

Smith was more of a runner and he also didn’t play every down if I recall correctly. Thought he and Jenkins rotated in ‘98 & ‘99.

Smith was accurate but don’t think he lead an offense like Fifita currently is doing. And even in 3-4 less games Fifita has thrown for way more yards and TD’s.

[azcat49]

As Merk said, his ability to navigate third downs is what sets him apart in my book. Amazingly efficient

His accuracy aligned with his headiness would be next. If you complete 75% of your passes, you have a wide open play book because you know you will be gaining positive yards 3 out of 4 plays

[AzCatFan2]

Smith and Tate were exceptional athletes playing QB. Smith was also mature, having played a few years of minor league baseball. These guys were great system QBs where there were quick reads and the QB was expected to run. But neither really read defenses well, nor were they well skilled at going through progressions. Matt Scott was just as athletic, and slightly better at reading Ds, which is why he spent a year or two on NFL practice squads. Still, his skills weren't next level.

Foles' skills were. And at 6'5", Foles had the size and arm strength to play at the next level. Had Gronk been healthy his last year, who knows. But Foles, Gronk, Griner, and Grigsby was as talented as we've ever been at the O skill positions in my opinion.

Fifita, in my opinion, is an even better decision maker than Foles. If Fifita was 6'5", NFL scouts would be drooling. Still, I'm sure they've taken notice as from Flutie to Murray, it's been proven you can smaller than 6' and play QB in the NFL. Not sure if Fifita has the arm strength needed to succeed at the next level, but I've never seen an Arizona QB read Ds better, go through his progressions better, and get the ball to the right guy almost every time.

[84Cat]

[Jefe]

527yds is now the record for the most passing yds in a game in AZ history. TMac also had the 2nd most receiving yds in a game with 266

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_W ... al_leaders

[Abrahamarvel]

Smith and Tate were exceptional athletes playing QB. Smith was also mature, having played a few years of minor league baseball. These guys were great system QBs where there were quick reads and the QB was expected to run. But neither really read defenses well, nor were they well skilled at going through progressions. Matt Scott was just as athletic, and slightly better at reading Ds, which is why he spent a year or two on NFL practice squads. Still, his skills weren't next level.

Foles' skills were. And at 6'5", Foles had the size and arm strength to play at the next level. Had Gronk been healthy his last year, who knows. But Foles, Gronk, Griner, and Grigsby was as talented as we've ever been at the O skill positions in my opinion.

Fifita, in my opinion, is an even better decision maker than Foles. If Fifita was 6'5", NFL scouts would be drooling. Still, I'm sure they've taken notice as from Flutie to Murray, it's been proven you can smaller than 6' and play QB in the NFL. Not sure if Fifita has the arm strength needed to succeed at the next level, but I've never seen an Arizona QB read Ds better, go through his progressions better, and get the ball to the right guy almost every time.

If he's 6'2'' heck if he's 6'/5'11'', he will probably be a first rounder

[azgreg]

[UAEebs86]

Is our season MVP the Stanford player who rolled up JDL's ankle?

[AZCatGirl]

This is amazing. Kid has always been a fighter. Literally!

[azgreg]