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BYU defenders make a tackle during the game against Arizona at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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BYU freshman defensive back Tommy Prassas scores a touchdown after recovering a fumble during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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A year ago, BYU freshman safety Tommy Prassas was playing for Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona, which is located less than 100 miles from the University of Arizona.

Cougar redshirt sophomore cornerback Chika Ebunoha has been gone a little longer but his high school, Marana, is even closer to the Arizona campus, roughly 20 miles across Tucson.

This Saturday, though, they and the rest of the dozen players from the state of Arizona will be looking to take down the Wildcats when the Cougars host Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to beating them, obviously,” Ebunoha said with a grin earlier this week. “But really I’m looking forward just to any game. I think this one’s probably going to be a little more special for me because it is my hometown. I know there’s a lot of friends and family and a lot of people from my hometown watching this and keeping up with me about it. But it’s also like any other game. I’m just excited to play in LaVell Edwards Stadium and feel the atmosphere.”

Both Prassas and Ebunoha only know from the history books about the days when BYU faced the Wildcats and Arizona State in the old WAC back in the 1960s and 1970s, but they said that learning last year that the teams would be in the same league again was pretty cool.

“I think it’s a blast,” Prassas said. “I’ve got some family in Tucson, and then most of us live over by ASU. The Arizona game and the ASU game are going to be a blast for my family. It’ll be fun to face the teams that I didn’t go to.”

Since BYU is playing the Sun Devils in Tempe in November, many of the Arizona friends and family members will likely wait for that opportunity to see their BYU players in person.

Some, however, will make the trip to Provo this weekend along with Wildcat supporters. Ebunoha said it’s kind of nice as a player to know that the Cougars have a reputation of being good hosts to visitors.

“I think that’s probably one of the more special things about LaVell Edwards Stadium, how they take care of every team that comes to that stadium,” Ebunoha said. “I’ve always heard from coaches, players, online, people say how loving and respectful and welcoming our fans are. I think that’s kind of what makes LaVell Edwards Stadium I think the best stadium in the country. I think it’s a good thing that we do that. I think it’s a great thing for the BYU name and I think it just adds to kind of our fight in it. It makes us want to play harder too.”

But the bottom line is that this is a football game that both teams want to win, with Arizona particularly desperately needing to not fall farther behind in the Big 12 conference standings.

“Arizona has tons of talent,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. “They have a great quarterback and a very strong run game. The defense also knows how to make plays and force turnovers. We think the matchup is going to bring the most out of us.

“Coming into Provo, they will see an excited home base, but we can’t look at that as the only advantage to rely on. I’m excited about how our team worked last week. I’m excited about the progress we are making.”

Prassas said that the Wildcat offense is extremely dangerous and his unit will need to be at its best.

“Their quarterback (Noah Fifita) is a baller,” Prassas said. “He’s a stud, very mobile. He’s got a great arm and is able to throw in tight spots. He’s got a good offensive line, and they’ve got a receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, who is pretty good. They have a really good explosive offense.”

While Fifita and McMillan get a lot of attention, Ebunoha said the Cougars have to also contain Arizona running back Quali Conley.

“He is athletic and explosive,” Ebunoha said. “He’s very good at running wide. That’s a guy we shouldn’t sleep on, for sure.”

On the other side of the ball, Cougar offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said that the Wildcat defense is also very aggressive and will cause a lot of problems.

“Arizona is a good defense,” Roderick said. “They play really well together. They are very aggressive and very skilled. I’m very impressed. A lot of talk has been about their offense but their defense has actually played very well this year. They are very disruptive and athletic.”

No. 14 BYU vs. Arizona

TIME: 2 p.m. MT

TV: FOX

WHERE: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo

THE WORD: This will be the 26th meeting between BYU and Arizona with the series currently tied at 12-12-1 … The Cougars have won the last three matchups, including a 24-16 BYU win at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2021 … Kalani Sitake’s first game as the head coach of the Cougars was an 18-16 win over the Wildcats on a last-second field goal in 2016 … No. 14-ranked BYU is 23-7 under Sitake when playing as a ranked team. The appearance in the AP poll is the 282nd overall by the Cougars in program history, which is tied for 35th among all teams … It is Homecoming Week on BYU’s campus. BYU is 5-3 in Homecoming games under Sitake.