Noah Fifita’s 94-yard TD shows why college football can’t keep ignoring him

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The time to call Noah Fifita one of college football's best kept secrets is over. He's a serious player in the college football landscape.

The senior quarterback showed as much in the first half against Texas Tech. In a 3rd-and-12 situation after a sluggish start for the offense (punt, turnover on downs, punt following an opening drive field goal), Fifita escaped the pocket from his own goal line and threw a dot along the sidelines to Isaiah Mizell for a 94-yard touchdown pass.

HOW DOES HE DO IT?? 🫨
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/VAIWnoZa5g

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 31, 2026

It was the second time in the game Fifita had escaped from a tough pocket for a big play, with the opening drive seeing a 55-yard completion to Giovanni Richardson after Fifita was forced to move. The TD gave Arizona a 10-7 lead in the second quarter.

Although Arizona's vaunted QB is the highlight, Mizell turned the play from a big play to an explosive one, with his speed along the sidelines erasing angles for the Texas Tech safeties.

Arizona is looking to move to 7-1 (4-1 Big 12) this season against Texas Tech, which has the same record. The Red Raiders are coming off a loss to Cincinnati and made a change at quarterback coming into this game against four-year starter Fifita.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Noah Fifita’s 94-yard TD shows why college football can’t keep ignoring him