The 2024 season hasn’t been the hot start that many felt Arizona Football was set up for this fall in the Big 12, and unfortunately for Brent Brennan’s group, the road ahead doesn’t appear to be much easier.
The team suffered two key injuries in its Week 6 loss to Texas Tech. One is confirmed to be season-ending, and the other is still in limbo, awaiting an update.
The two injuries occurred to senior defensive back Treydan Stukes and senior safety Gunnar Maldonado, each of which whose season is in jeopardy. According to the Tuscon Star’s Justin Spears, Stukes suffered a torn ACL vs. Texas Tech and is done for the season. The lone bright spot is that he saw action in just four games, so the year can be used as a redshirt season.
Maldonado, on the other hand, is still up in the air. The Arizona native has been one of the Wildcats’ best defensive players this season before going down with a left knee injury. While no official update has been released on Maldonado’s status, Arizona insider Jason Scheer noted on Tuesday that there is a very real possibility he’s done for the season as well as Stukes.
With two key playmakers in the secondary likely done for the year, Brent Brennan will have to find a way to handle a unique amount of adversity in his first season at the helm. The defensive-back duo recorded 29 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups through the first four games combined.
The Wildcats take the field next on Saturday, October 12th, vs. No. 14 BYU in Provo at 3:00 p.m. CT.
