TUCSON -- Bronco Mendenhall was right.

His defense, much maligned in 2005, appears to be better in 2006.

But not good enough to overcome an uneven performance from its offense, which penetrated the Arizona 10-yard line five times but could only score one touchdown. The Wildcats put together a late drive, chewing more than five minutes off the clock before Nick Folk booted the game-winning 48-yard field goal with one second on the clock for a 16-13 Arizona victory on Saturday night.

A crowd of 58,450, the ninth-largest in Arizona Stadium history, watched a defensive battle between two teams looking for a good start. Arizona, because of its final drive, got what it needed.

BYUfi The Cougars needed a little more offense and simply couldn't stop Arizona when it counted.

Arizona's final drive started on its own 25-yard line and was almost stopped by the first video review of the game. Arizona's Syndric Steptoe appeared to catch the ball for a first down with three minutes to go, but a review -- called for by the review official -- overturned the call. Arizona was undaunted, converting the first down on a pass from Willie Tuitama to Anthony Johnson.

Arizona (1-0) picked up five first downs before BYU stiffened. Folk, who had missed from 42 yards in the second quarter, put the ball cleanly through the uprights for the winning score.

BYU tied the game with 5:23 to play on a 31-yard field goal by Jared McLaughlin. It was a 12-play drive highlighted by some hard running from sophomore running back Fui Vakapuna and a pair of third-down conversions.

Arizona scored first after BYU fumbled on its initial offensive play. John Beck connected with Jonny Harline for a 13-yard gain but Harline coughed up the ball and Arizona's Spencer Larsen recovered at the Cougar 33. BYU's defense held Arizona to a 30-yard field goal.

Two strong punts from BYU's Derek McLaughlin, including a career-best 66 yarder, pinned Arizona deep in its own territory. The Cougars converted that field position into points late in the first quarter. A third-down pass from Beck to Michael Reed put the ball at the Arizona 7-yard line and two plays later, Beck connected with tight end Dan Coats for a 5-yard touchdown pass and a 7-3 lead.

Arizona's Willie Tuitama got a big play on his team's next possession, hitting Syndric Steptoe for a 48-yard gain. That set up another Folk field goal to pull Arizona to within one point at 7-6 early in the second quarter.

With under seven minutes to play in the half, BYU mounted a drive to midfield. But a face mask penalty called on BYU offensive lineman Ray Fienga killed that offensive threat.

With under a minute to play in the half, BYU got to the Arizona 39 on a 15-yard pass to Zac Collie. But Arizona's prized junior college recruit, defensive end Louis Holmes, sacked Beck on the next play. Two plays later, Holmes separated Beck from the ball and Paul Phillip recovered on the BYU 43 with 29 seconds left. Arizona managed to reach BYU's 25 to set up a 42-yard Folk field goal attempt, but the senior missed to end the half.

BYU's Cameron Jensen intercepted a Tuitama pass to open the second half and BYU had first and goal and the Arizona 7-yard line after a 24-yard pass from Beck to Coats. A questionable offensive pass interference call on an apparent Matt Allen touchdown catch -- replays showed Allen didn't push off on the defender -- and BYU had to settle for a 20-yard Jared McLaughlin field goal.

Arizona responded with an 80-yard drive, highlighted by a 54-yard run by Chris Henry after the BYU defense appeared to have him hemmed in. Tuitama teamed up with Anthony Johnson on a 3-yard touchdown pass to give Arizona a 13-10 advantage with 10:03 to play in the third period.

BYU mounted a drive to the Arizona side of the field that stalled at the 5-yard line with 1:24 to play in the third quarter. On fourth-and-1, BYU went for the field goal but backup quarterback Jason Beck, in his first year as the holder, dropped the snap and the 22-yard kick was never attempted.

That play proved costly, as did the two penalties that cost BYU the Allen touchdown and a Jensen interception that was returned to the Arizona 20.

John Beck ended up 28-of-37 for 289 yards and a touchdown. At one point, Beck completed 14 consecutive passes. Harline finished with 71 yards on five catches to lead the receiving corps. Vakapuna had 21 yards on six carries in the second half.

Tuitama was 19-of-39 for 186 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Steptoe finished with six catches for 93 yards. BYU had 313 yards of total offense to Arizona's 253. The Cougars were penalized 10 times for 76 yards and converted just 3-of-12 on third down.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com

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This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.