Wildcats Roar Past Bruins

WILDCATS ROAR PAST BRUINS

#10 ARIZONa 38
#12 ucla 29

Chris Grosse and the Wildcats secured another important victory in the west coast rankings. (Photo credits: Josh Pearson)

Mar 2- Arizona welcomed UCLA to Sitton Field on Saturday, with both sides chasing a crucial result as the race toward the 2025 postseason intensifies. With sights set on Indianapolis and a strong Alumni Weekend crowd in attendance, the stage was set for a high-level showcase of the growing college game in the United States.

Arizona struck immediately. On their opening possession, a first-phase move freed captain Matteo Berenger, who quickly sent Jake Schumacher in for the opening try — the first of two on the day for the second-year winger.

The Wildcats’ defense matched the fast start, forcing a turnover that led to another opportunity. Flyhalf Saxon Gerstl found Schumacher again on the edge, and the long-range finish — converted by Gerstl — made it 14-0 in just the 16th minute.

UCLA answered with two tries off penalties to take control briefly, as discipline became a factor for both sides. But Arizona responded through opportunism. Playing advantage off a UCLA penalty, scrumhalf Connor McIsaac launched a contestable box kick that wing Parker Beilke chased down for a dramatic score in the 20th minute, pushing Arizona back ahead 19-17.

The Bruins, however, would have the final say of the half, scoring just before the break to take a 22-19 lead into halftime. The second half demanded adjustments — and composure.

“We felt we had given up a couple tries that were very weird. From a guy losing a shoe to another where a tackler just falls down. Stuff you hope never happens but that’s the game — you have to flush those things and focus on your task. Proud of how we did that to regain momentum after a great start,” said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

Arizona reclaimed control through their forward platform. After a powerful maul, second-year center Nick Morgan broke through the UCLA line to make it 26-22. Soon after, a sharp linebreak from Sintu Mjali set up Berenger for a try, giving the Wildcats breathing room.

Morgan would strike again late to extend the lead, and a disciplined final 15 minutes of defense sealed the 39-28 victory. “It was far from our best day — we were great at times, average in others,” Duffy added. “But what I’m really proud of is our response. We ended the day with patient defense and found our opportunity to seal it. Total team effort, and the finishers brought something we needed against a good UCLA side.”

Arizona’s 2nd XV also returned to the win column with a 48-26 victory over UCLA’s 2nd XV. The program also welcomed back scores of alumni and families, celebrating the 57th anniversary of the program. With the win, Arizona moves to 13-5 overall and remains well positioned in the West heading into a key matchup at BYU this Saturday.

Arizona's full schedule can be found here.

Scoring vs UCLA

Tries: Schumacher (2), Morgan (2), Beilke, Berenger

Conv: Gerstl- 4/6

Arizona vs UCLA

6- Jacob Jaffe