For the first time in 48 days, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats are victorious — and their bowl hopes remain alive.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (4-6) snapped its five-game losing streak and took down the Houston Cougars 27-3 Friday night in front of a half-full crowd at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.Â
Friday marked the fewest points ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ surrendered in a game since the 38-3 win over Northern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ last season. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s point total on Friday is also the most since the 61-point season opener against New Mexico. It's also ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first win over Houston since 1986. Â
"We're fired up," said first-year head coach Brent Brennan. "It feels good. The locker room is just electric. We were focused on just getting one (win). We had to get one. ... I thought our players responded great tonight."
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s defense, after giving up 56 points in the loss to UCF, the most since the 70-7 loss to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State four years ago, took advantage of a Houston team that entered Friday night with the seventh-worst offense in college football and the worst scoring offense in the Big 12.Â
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Following smothering punt coverage by sophomore Genesis Smith after ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s empty first possession, the second-year defensive back recorded a stop for loss and a fumble recovery that was forced by defensive tackle Stanley Ta'ufo'ou. Smith had seven tackles, 1.5 stops for loss and an interception, his third of the season, a team-high.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Genesis Smith, right, cradles an interception on a pass intended for Houston wide receiver Stephon Johnson (5) in the second quarter on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.
"We all just continue to see Genesis grow and develop as a really good player," Brennan said. "Some of that is him getting thrusted into action with some of the injuries we had early on. ... He continues to find the football and continues to make plays at the line of scrimmage. He's a guy we absolutely depend on."Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ struck early with a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Noah Fifita to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, his 25th career touchdown reception, which put him in sole possession of third place for all-time touchdown catches by a Wildcat. Houston defensive end Zykeius Strong jumped offsides, Fifita evaded the pressure and heaved the pass to McMillan in the end zone.Â
McMillan, who finished with six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, also had a highlight one-handed grab near the Texas Tech sideline, but was ruled out of bounds. McMillan is now 112 yards away from becoming ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s all-time receiving yards leader.Â

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, gets a helmet butt from running back Kedrick Reescano after he hauled in a touchdown catch in the first quarter against Houston in their Big 12 game on Nov. 15, 2024.
In ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s following four drives, despite Smith's interception, a three-and-out and a goal-line stand, the UA struggled to grab a two-possession lead. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s kicking operation malfunctioned, resulting in no points, for the third straight game. Freshman holder and punter Michael Salgado-Medina fumbled the snap and the Cougars disrupted kicker Tyler Loop's 29-yard field goal.Â
Houston cut into ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s lead with a 49-yard field goal by kicker Jack Martin with 42 seconds left until halftime.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s hurry-up offense to conclude the first half set up Loop to add to his historic career at the UA. Loop set an ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ record with a 62-yard field goal to end the first half; the previous record was 57 yards by Loop's predecessor Lucas Havrisik (twice).

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ place kicker Tyler Loop (33) gets congratulated after hitting a 51-yard field goal in the third quarter against Houston on Nov. 15, 2024.
"Funny enough, my last field goal that I hit before game day was a 62-yarder in practice," Loop said. "Going out, I was like, 'Heck yeah! I just did this two days ago,' which was a bunch of fun. That was really special."Â Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ scored on its three opening drives in the second half — a 51-yard field goal by Loop and two touchdowns by senior running back Quali Conley — to take a 27-3 lead. Conley, who had two fumbles in the previous two games, led the Wildcats with 11 carries for 107 yards, the most since the NAU game in September, and had a 50-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats had 113 net rushing yards after recording 83 in the previous two games.Â

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ running back Quali Conley (7) heads into the end zone on a 50-yard run, a one-play drive for the Wildcats, in the third quarter against Houston on Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.
Houston, one of the worst third-down teams in college football, ended up converting two third-down conversions on 13 attempts. The Cougars were also 0 for 4 on fourth down on Friday. After Houston's only points of the night, the Cougars had three three-and-out drives, a turnover on downs and a fumble by quarterback Zeon Chriss. Second-year defensive end Dominic Lolesio forced the fumble that was recovered by defensive back Owen Goss, who led the Wildcats with nine tackles.Â
The three takeaways and seven tackles for loss were a result of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s tweaked defense that disguised blitzes with defensive backs and linebacker Taye Brown, who had eight tackles and a forced fumble. The Wildcats often crowded the box and either pressured Chriss or dropped back in coverage. Brennan said the defensive objective this week "was obviously effective."
"I think that call gave us something in the game," Brennan said. "I thought the players did a great job of executing it. ... Tonight, we had good gap integrity and then I thought our guys played incredibly hard. That was the one thing I said coming out of this game, it needs to look on tape that we're playing harder than them. That's it. That's the only standard I gave the team for tonight: we need to play harder than the opponent."
To celebrate the win, Conley backflipped when the clock hit zeros and the UA football team sang "Bear Down, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥" in the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium locker room for the first time since Sept. 7.Â
"This thing is never about me. It's about those kids," said Brennan, who was doused with water before his postgame press conference. "It's about seeing them smile, hug each other and dance and jump around, throw water. I'm just happy for them. To see that excitement on their faces, that hope on their faces, is really special."
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ now takes on TCU (6-4) in Fort Worth next Saturday for its final road contest of the season.
Extra points
- ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive end Chase Kennedy was held out with an undisclosed injury. Kennedy started eight games this season prior to Friday night. Kennedy recently played a stand-up, linebacker role in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s dime defense, which has been the Wildcats' base defense following season-ending injuries to defensive backs Gunner Maldonado and Treydan Stukes and linebacker Jacob Manu.
- ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ played its sixth different starting offensive line on Friday, with Nevada graduate transfer Joey Capra starting at right tackle. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s offensive line was left tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, left guard Wendell Moe Jr., center Josh Baker, right guard Alexander Doost and Capra. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ allowed five sacks on Friday.
- ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the Wildcats' nonconference finale against Kansas State. Groves-Killebrew had five tackles and a sack.
- The Pride of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Marching Band was honored at halftime for winning the Sudler Trophy, a biannual award given to the top college band nationally. The Pride of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is the 34th band all-time to receive the award.
Photos: University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets the win, 27-3 over Houston, Big 12 football

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew mugs for the crowd after getting a sack and pushing back Houston in the third quarter on Nov. 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive lineman Tre Smith (3) hits Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss (2), flushing him out of the pocket in the third quarter of their Big 12 game on Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, steps through a trio of Houston defenders after snaring a catch over the middle in the third quarter of their Big 12 game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita throws the ball away after rolling out under pressure from Houston linebacker Brandon Mack in the third quarter on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ place kicker Tyler Loop (33) gets congratulated after hitting a 51-yard field goal in the third quarter against Houston on Nov. 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ linebacker Taye Brown (6) spins around Houston running back Re'Shaun Sanford II (26), bringing him down after a catch in the backfield in the third quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew (20) comes in almost untouched to sack Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss (2) in the third quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Owen Goss (27) gets to Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss (2) for a sack in the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ running back Quali Conley, left, stiff-arms his way around Houston defensive back A.J. Haulcy (2) in the third quarter of their Big 12 game on Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ running back Quali Conley (7) heads into the end zone on a 50-yard run, a one-play drive for the Wildcats, in the third quarter against Houston on Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Brent Brennan, left, celebrates with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Jack Luttrell (13) after the Wildcats stopped Houston on fourth down in the third quarter of their Big 12 game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.

Houston defensive back Kentrell Webb (8) sends ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ running back Kedrick Reescano (3) flying on a hit near the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Owen Goss, right, scoops up a Cougar fumble near the 1-yard line, ending a Houston scoring threat late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium. All-out effort helped the Wildcats force three UH fumbles.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fans watch the basketball Wildcats against Wisconsin on the scoreboard screen before the football Wildcats kick off against Houston in their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Owen Goss (27) gets enough of Houston tight end Jayden York (13) to keep him from making the scoring grab on fourth and one in the second quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive coordinator Duane Akina jumps for joy with defensive back Genesis Smith after Smith grabbed a Houston fumble in the first quarter of their Big 12 game on Nov. 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wide receiver Chris Hunter (16) takes a hit from Houston defensive back Kentrell Webb after making a catch in traffic inside the red zone in the third quarter on Nov. 15, 2024.

Houston wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV (0) uses his half step on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew (20) to run under the ball for a first down catch in the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, gets a helmet butt from running back Kedrick Reescano after he hauled in a touchdown catch in the first quarter against Houston in their Big 12 game on Nov. 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita (11) drags Houston defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. (5) along for the extra yard in the red zone in the second quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

Houston running back Re'Shaun Sanford II (26) hops out of the arms of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ linebacker Taye Brown (6) for positive yardage in the first quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

Houston running back Re'Shaun Sanford II (26) goes flying after being tossed by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ linebacker Lance Keneley (90) in the first quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024. Keneley was charged with a personal foul for the play which occurred after the whistle.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive lineman Kevon Darton (45) manages to get a grip on Houston running back DJ Butler (25) dropping him for no gain in the second quarter of their Big 12 game, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 15, 2024.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive back Genesis Smith, right, cradles an interception on a pass intended for Houston wide receiver Stephon Johnson (5) in the second quarter on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports