Fifita is a 5-11, 194, redshirt Freshman QB from Huntington Beach, CA. Last year he played in 3 games completing 9 of 11 passes for 128 yards and 1 TD. He is the clear number 2 QB, but with Coach Fisch trying to recruit a quality QB every class he will have to work to hold on to that spot. Fifita has a canon for an arm, but his playing time is going to be dictated by us being far enough ahead or needing to bring in the back-up QB.
It is fair to say that no player has played less and had more of an impact on this team. Fifita was the first of his high school team mates to commit to Arizona. He was a key part in getting Jacob Manu, Tetairoa McMillan, and Keyan Burnett to come to Arizona.
TMac is going to have a monster year and we can only hope he will play one year at least with his best bud
Waiting at the Rose Bowl patiently for the cats to arrive
"I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more wildcat sports"
2019 BDW Survivor Pool Champion
I think its important to remember that Fifita was in his SECOND game as a starter and is breaking records. If Fifita had a year (or really half a year) under his belt, that game would not have been close. The game changed after that pick in the first half if we're being honest. Without those penalties, SC's confidence would have been in the toilet. I truly feel we were the better team, we just showed our inexperience (penalties) on the big stage.
That said, I'm really encouraged by what I've seen. I've never been stoked after a loss, but you can clearly see a flower blooming. In back to back weeks we:
Sacked Penix multiple times, a guy who hadn't been sacked this season
Held Washington 18 points below their average.
Held the nation's best offense to no passing touchdowns.
Were within seven points with a qb in his first start
Against USC:
Made mighty SC look rather pedestrian in the first half
Made one of the nation's best offenses sputter
Scored 5 touchdowns in the Coliseum
Now, granted people will say that we're 3-3, but from what I've witnessed this team is on the upswing. We finally have talent that can go blow to blow with any team and put them on notice. UDub fans were shocked how we lost to Miss St., after the way we played them and SC. Of course some of their fans pointed out that JDL and 4 INT's didn't help the cause. Even after they won in Tucson, they were saying that there's nothing mediocre about our team.
I heard somewhere that cities fire NFL coaches, owners just tell them the bad news. As much as I admire loyalty, if it hurts the morale and progress of the team, then it's misplaced. I think Tucson, the fans and the players are behind Fifita. I know it's an unpopular stance, sometimes tough decisions need to be made. As great as Drew Bledsoe was, he had to make way for a runaway train named Tom Brady.
Merkin wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2023 11:15 am
Yes, don't know who posted it, but last night Fisch said nothing has changed with the QB situation.
EDIT: Found it.
AZCatGirl wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2023 12:27 am
So Fisch wants to lose next week?
At the very least JDL's leash should be much shorter with Fifita showing he is a gamer. Would guess anymore 4 Turnover games and he is holding the clipboard. Although Fisch does seem a bit stubborn so who knows?
At least if JDL blows it Fifita will probably come in.
“The reality is that the hardest games to win are over teams on their home court. Teams that don’t play those games can spin it however they want, but what they’re saying is, ‘We don’t want to lose in our non conference season.’" - Sean Miller
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
If Jedd Lasso says a fucking word about Fifita going back to 2nd string I’m sending him a bag of my dog’s shit next day air.
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
This kid has a chance to be a legendary wildcat. He was loyal to us from the moment he committed and brought his teammates with him including TMac. He helped build this team.
Great, great job by Jedd and company bringing him onboard.
I'm trying to not get excited thinking of Fifita as a senior. Hope the rest of the Big 12 sees the highlights.
“The reality is that the hardest games to win are over teams on their home court. Teams that don’t play those games can spin it however they want, but what they’re saying is, ‘We don’t want to lose in our non conference season.’" - Sean Miller
“The reality is that the hardest games to win are over teams on their home court. Teams that don’t play those games can spin it however they want, but what they’re saying is, ‘We don’t want to lose in our non conference season.’" - Sean Miller
Alieberman wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:56 pm
Noah “not a rapist” Fifita
There's nothing like the taste of freshly slaughtered power. This was a statement win.
There's a new sheriff in town guys.
Can we please just be positive guys? I hate to see a kid who played his heart out for us trashed when he was injured and now is presumably supporting the team-notwithstanding a past with unknown circumstances.
Alieberman wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:56 pm
Noah “not a rapist” Fifita
There's nothing like the taste of freshly slaughtered power. This was a statement win.
There's a new sheriff in town guys.
Can we please just be positive guys? I hate to see a kid who played his heart out for us trashed when he was injured and now is presumably supporting the team-notwithstanding a past with unknown circumstances.
I get what you are saying. JDL came in when we had nothing, and he played competently. I wish JDL good fortune in the future. But you have to play the best. Others need to adjust. It can't be given them. Fifita proved himself, and is improving immensely every game. Let's help JDL find a better future. He has his moments.
Alieberman wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:56 pm
Noah “not a rapist” Fifita
There's nothing like the taste of freshly slaughtered power. This was a statement win.
There's a new sheriff in town guys.
Can we please just be positive guys? I hate to see a kid who played his heart out for us trashed when he was injured and now is presumably supporting the team-notwithstanding a past with unknown circumstances.
I get what you are saying. JDL came in when we had nothing, and he played competently. I wish JDL good fortune in the future. But you have to play the best. Others need to adjust. It can't be given them. Fifita proved himself, and is improving immensely every game. Let's help JDL find a better future. He has his moments.
Sorry Catintheheat, I actually meant the Cats destroying Wazzu. That team was completely dejected and destroyed walking off the field. Way long overdue.
As far as JDL, sometimes sports is about timing. Bledsoe learned this the hard way. I wish JDL the best in his future endeavors.
Alieberman wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:56 pm
Noah “not a rapist” Fifita
There's nothing like the taste of freshly slaughtered power. This was a statement win.
There's a new sheriff in town guys.
Can we please just be positive guys? I hate to see a kid who played his heart out for us trashed when he was injured and now is presumably supporting the team-notwithstanding a past with unknown circumstances.
I get what you are saying. JDL came in when we had nothing, and he played competently. I wish JDL good fortune in the future. But you have to play the best. Others need to adjust. It can't be given them. Fifita proved himself, and is improving immensely every game. Let's help JDL find a better future. He has his moments.
Sorry Catintheheat, I actually meant the Cats destroying Wazzu. That team was completely dejected and destroyed walking off the field. Way long overdue.
As far as JDL, sometimes sports is about timing. Bledsoe learned this the hard way. I wish JDL the best in his future endeavors.
I was responding to Carcassdragger. but yes, I am totally in agreement with you.
I will never call for JDL to come into the game even if Fifita gets injured. Who is the 3rd string QB? Thought he should have come in end of game to avoid any risk of injury to Fifita.
Can you ever imagine Fifita throwing picks on 3 straight possessions? Or throwing a 40 yard pass into double coverage?
Sure JDL can get you 40 yards in a hurry, but I really enjoy watching long controlled drives with very little risk of turnovers.
I imagine Fisch will open up the playbook some more when Fifita gets more snaps under his belt, but I really like what I see so far.
TheCat wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 10:25 pm
We are a fickle bunch and as soon as we hit a rough patch we will clammer for the most popular player on every team. The backup QB.
Only if JDL is moving to third string.
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
Funny story. On RJ and Channing's podcast, RJ told a story of his agent bitching because Arizona called him up to get him to pay $20,000 for JDL to go to a qb camp. The agent was pissed because JDL was already benched and implied that he may be done at Arizona. So he paid $20,000 with zero roi.
“The reality is that the hardest games to win are over teams on their home court. Teams that don’t play those games can spin it however they want, but what they’re saying is, ‘We don’t want to lose in our non conference season.’" - Sean Miller
I don't think people remember what we were like when JDL committed. Noah has played great but when we beat UCLA last year and JDL was outstanding we were singing his praise. It only takes a rough patch for folks to forget. I hope both continue to be great friends.
TheCat wrote: Mon Oct 16, 2023 6:54 am
I don't think people remember what we were like when JDL committed.
And I don’t think that should matter one bit.
Yeah, when JDL transferred we were in the shitter. That doesn’t mean we should tolerate subpar play that keeps us from being great just because of the timing of that player committing.
No one is talking about forcing JDL to transfer again. But it’s obvious that Fifita is better in a whole host of ways. Should we put the better player on the bench and take a step back just because we used to be really bad?
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
