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Fisch’s ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats didn’t do that Saturday night. But they rallied and battled, scratched and clawed, and you couldn’t always say that in recent seasons.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ ultimately lost to BYU 24-16 in the Good Sam Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium. The defeat extended the Wildcats’ school-record losing streak to 13 games. It was also the third straight time, under three different coaches, that ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has lost an opener to BYU.

But this felt different — at least compared to the way games often unfolded and unraveled under the previous regime.

Underdogs by almost two touchdowns, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fell behind by 18 points in the third quarter. The Wildcats didn’t fold, though. They fought back, and if not for some critical miscues, they might have had a shot.

"Our guys battled hard," Fisch said. "I think we have a really good football team. I think we have a chance to do some really cool things moving forward. I'm excited about that. Can't wait to get back out there on Monday on the practice field and can't wait for Saturday's game at home against San Diego State."

The Wildcats will seek to end the losing streak next Saturday against the Aztecs. San Diego State defeated New Mexico State in its opener Saturday.

Down 21-3 in the third quarter, the Wildcats desperately needed a momentum shift. Their special teams and defense provided it.

When was the last time that happened?

After Kyle Ostendorp pinned the Cougars at their 1-yard line, Trevon Mason and Rashie Hodge Jr. tackled Lopini Katoa in the end zone for a safety. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ immediately followed with a touchdown on a 29-yard pass from Gunner Cruz to BJ Casteel. That same duo converted a 2-point play to make it 21-13 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

"No flinch. No flinch at all," Fisch said of the Wildcats' mindset when they were down 18. "I don't think there was a doubt in my mind that the defense was going to create a safety on that play. They came out there with such an energy and passion when (the Cougars) were backed up. And it was a pretty cool response by our offense after that. It started with the special teams. That was true complementary football."

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ got the ball back again and drove to the BYU 9-yard line. But Cruz took a 17-yard sack. Lucas Havrisik then missed a 44-yard field goal attempt, his second miss in three tries.

After holding BYU to a field goal, the Wildcats again advanced into scoring range. But on first-and-10 from the BYU 35, Cruz threw an interception in the end zone.

The third-year freshman, who transferred from Washington State in the offseason, had some good moments. He also looked at times like a player who was making only second collegiate appearance. He finished 34 of 45 for 336 yards.

"I didn't do enough, because we didn't come out with the win," Cruz said. "There was some good stuff. There's some bad stuff. We'll be able to go back on film and really break it down."

Will Plummer also played in the first half, as Fisch had planned. Cruz got most of the work. Fisch and his staff will re-evaluate the quarterback situation in the coming days.

"We'll have to watch the film on it," Fisch said. "I think Gunner played really well. Will did a nice job when he went in.

"We'll see how they practice this week. If you're going to go out there and have a 141 quarterback rating (actually 141.2) in the first game you've ever started, it’d tough not to play Gunner right now."

Havrisik’s 37-yard field goal with 49 seconds remaining made it a one-score game again. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ could not recover his onside kick attempt.

The Wildcats could only muster a field goal in the first half, which ended with a 14-3 deficit.

The game was scoreless through the first quarter. BYU struck first, taking a 6-0 lead 5:43 into the second.

Sensing the need for a spark, Cougars coach Kalani Sitake went for it on fourth-and-5 from the UA 46. The Cougars converted.

A trick play — receiver Neil Pau’u’s 9-yard pass to quarterback Jaren Hall — advanced the ball to the 15. The Wildcats were late to get set up on the next play, allowing Tyler Allgeier to waltz into the end zone. The PAT was unsuccessful.

"Self-inflicted mistakes," UA linebacker Anthony Pandy said.

After Plummer played most of the next series, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ went back to Cruz. On third-and-3 from the UA 32, the Wildcats finally made a chunk play. Cruz scrambled to his left and found Tayvian Cunningham for 25 yards.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ moved into scoring range. The drive stalled at the BYU 18-yard line. Havrisik’s 32-yard field goal attempt missed wide right, resulting in an empty possession.

BYU quickly capitalized on the miscue. Hall fired a 67-yard touchdown pass to Pau’u. Nickel cornerback Malik Hausman, who’s from Las Vegas, allowed Pau’u to run past him in the secondary. A 2-point conversion made it 14-0.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ regained possession with exactly two minutes left in the half, and the Wildcats were able to get on the board. Passes from Cruz to Cunningham (15 yards) and Stanley Berryhill III (18 yards) set up Havrisik’s 28-yard field goal with 13 seconds left before halftime.

The deficit grew in the third quarter. Then it shrunk. For much of the second half, as Fisch noted, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was "right there." It's something the Wildcats can build on.

"We can't make the plays we made, but I learned that our guys are going to fight till the very end," Fisch said. "That's what I love about our team. I love where we're headed."

Extra points

BYU cornerback Keenan Ellis‘ head snapped back on a hit early in the first quarter. He had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. The game was delayed for about 15 minutes while medical personnel attended to Ellis, a fifth-year junior from San Diego. Ellis reportedly had movement in his extremities.

UA starting left tackle Jordan Morgan did not play Morgan suffered a lower-leg injury late in training camp. Left guard Donovan Laie, who has ample experience at tackle (24 career starts), slid into Morgan’s spot. Second-year freshman Josh Baker started at left guard.

Receiver Jamarye Joiner suited up during warmups, a surprising development given that he didn’t participate in any team drills in training camp while recovering from foot surgery. Joiner did not play. He’s been targeting a return in Week 3 or 4.

Transfer Treshaun Hayward got the start at middle linebacker. He had been listed as a co-starter with fellow newcomer and Mid-American Conference alum Jerry Roberts. Hayward, the 2019 MAC Defensive Player of the Year at Western Michigan, arrived later than planned this summer but worked his way up the depth chart. Roberts entered in the third quarter.