Salgado-Medina's late kick gives Arizona 29-28 win over TCU

Decisive Late Drama

The Arizona Wildcats defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 29-28 on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson. The decisive moment arrived in the final minutes of the fourth quarter when kicker Michael Salgado-Medina struck a 37-yard field goal to give the home team the lead for good.

The play capped a frantic closing stretch that saw the score swing back and forth, leaving the visiting Horned Frogs with no answer to secure the win. With 40,501 spectators watching, the Wildcats improved their record to 7-2, while TCU fell to 4-5.

First Half Momentum

Arizona established an early advantage in the opening period. Quarterback Noah Fifita connected with Isaiah Mizell on a 20-yard touchdown pass, followed by Salgado-Medina adding a 43-yard field goal. TCU responded in the second quarter with a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Jaden Craig.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Hudson Hooper returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown, giving TCU a 14-10 lead at the half. The Wildcats managed only three points in the second quarter, relying on their defense to limit further damage despite allowing the Horned Frogs to build a cushion.

Third Quarter Exchange

The third quarter saw both teams trade blows. Noah Fifita kept the Arizona offense alive with a 9-yard rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14-17. TCU immediately re-established its lead as Jaden Craig found Jordan Dwyer on a 6-yard pass for a touchdown.

The period ended with TCU holding a 21-17 lead, showcasing the balanced attack that kept them competitive against the higher-ranked Wildcats. Both teams demonstrated their ability to score in multiple ways, setting the stage for a high-scoring finale.

Fourth Quarter Finish

The fourth quarter began with Arizona narrowing the gap to 21-20 on a 23-yard field goal by Salgado-Medina. TCU regained the lead with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Jaden Craig. Arizona answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Quincy Craig, though the team failed on the two-point conversion attempt.

This left the score at 28-26 in favor of TCU. In the final play of the game, Salgado-Medina converted a 37-yard field goal to put Arizona ahead 29-28. Noah Fifita finished the game with 313 passing yards on 24 of 37 attempts, including two touchdowns and one interception.

Giovanni Richardson led the receiving corps with 171 yards on 11 catches. For TCU, Jaden Craig passed for 232 yards and Amante Martin rushed for 35 yards.

Sources

ESPN