2021 Air Force Recap

WILDCATS TAKE OFF AGAINST aIR fORCE

#7 ARIZONA 86

aIR fORCE 12

Robert Figley helped lead a 13-try attack against the Zoomies. (Photo credits: Chris Mooney)

Apr 27- On a massive day for Arizona sports, the Wildcats played their own part, hosting Air Force in the teams' first matchup since the 2017 playoffs. In likely the final home match for the graduating Seniors, the Wildcats started fast behind one of their best, Wing Kyle Fulton. The All PAC-12 performer showed that the two-week layoff would not be a hindrance, scoring four times in the first half to help the Wildcats crack open a game that was nationally broadcast on FTF. The scoreline and the subsequent opportunity to provide minutes for others was seized by Fulton's replacement, Tyler Sloan, who scored a hat trick of his own in the second half. Also doubling up were emerging Scrumhalf Brendon Paulsen and Center Abe Turpen, with the duo's four tries helping seal the 50-7 hafltime lead and the 86-12 margin of victory.

"First off, credit to Air Force for battling through cancellations as this was supposed to be played in February, and then playing a hard 80 minutes. We spoke as a circle with both teams about how many of their athletes are going to do special things for this country and we salute them for their coming service. The scoreline flatters us a bit but I'm thrilled to see the progress. Four tries in 40 minutes for Kyle is a product of his hard work and the team's work to get him opportunities. There's a lot of little things that maybe don't show up in the box score like Robert Figley's game management, Billy Esposito's work in the trenches, and Jon Rogers' kicking that show the value of this season, no matter how long or short it winds up being." said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

The win is the largest margin of victory for the Wildcats this season, and sets the stage for their final regular season match, a clash with #4 Cal in Berkeley. While the postseason is still up in the air for the Wildcats, their goals are not. "In a normal year, priority one is to win the state. Priority two is win the conference. While UCLA and Utah unfortunately opted not to compete this season, we view this as in essence a PAC-12 title match. This year priority one was getting on the field. We've accomplished two of our three goals. The third is there for the taking and we'll give everything we have against a talented and well-coached side out there in Berkeley" said Duffy.

SCORING VS AIR FORCE

Tries: 13- Fulton (4), Sloan (3), Paulsen (2), Turpen (2), Niethammer, Cathala

Conversions: Figley- 7/8, Agasse, 1/1, Cathala, 1/4

Penalties: Figley- 1/1

ARIZONA vs AIR FORCE

1- Zach Barker

3- Harry Bluck

7- EJ Freeman