The Wildcats opened up the 2006 season making three in a 16-13 victory over BYU in the season opener.

That last one came with one second on the clock -- a 48-yard kick by Nick Folk to win the game.

"It is amazing what a field goal can do for your program," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said.

The Wildcats got a kick out of a close game, something they didn't do a year ago when Arizona lost five games by seven points or less.

When Folk's kick sailed through the goal post, Stoops jumped up and down and the team ran onto the field in triumphant fashion.

For a team that has gone 3-8 in back-to-back seasons and has not been to a bowl game in seven years, it was a huge win.

Making the victory even more impressive was Arizona getting the win despite the offense looking awful. The Wildcats gained just 253 yards.

Quarterback Willie Tuitama struggled to free the passing game up, and the running backs managed just 67 yards, with 54 of those came on a Chris Henry run in the second half.

If not for a defense that held a BYU team that averaged 43 points per game in the final five games of the 2005 season to just one touchdown, there might have been no need for the last-second kick.

"To hold them to 13 points is very, very difficult," Stoops said. "I think it was one of the best defensive games we have played since we got here."

KEEP AN EYE ON: DE Louis Holmes -- The top JC player in the country last year has arrived with hype to compare with any superstar. The Scottsdale (Ariz.) defender lived up to the billing in his first game, making three tackles, with two being sacks.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This was a pretty big win. I don't want to put a bunch of emphasis on one game. it is a long season. Win or lose we had to be ready to come back this week to play LSU, but it's big." -- Arizona coach Mike Stoops after the 16-13 win over BYU.

The Wildcats also recovered two fumbles and forced quarterback John Beck to look at his second and third options much of the game.

Receiver Anthony Johnson, whose consistency level has been a problem throughout his career, showed up big in fall camp, and again in the opener with him catching six passes, including a two-yard touchdown.

STILL NEEDS WORK: The offense.

Arizona's offensive playbook, or execution, or both, were miserable.

Quarterback Willie Tuitama had his worst game of his young career, completing just 19-of-39 passes for 189 yards.

The Wildcats had three redshirt freshmen lineman starting their first games. Blake Kerley, Daniel Borg and Eben Britton received an "eye opening experience" as Kerley said. The line never meshed, opening up few holes and leaving Tuitama little time to look for receivers deeper down the field.

Arizona had only five yards rushing at halftime, setting for 67 yards.

ROSTER REPORT: Arizona played freshman cornerback Devin Ross after the NCAA Clearinghouse approved his eligibility the day before the season opener against BYU. After originally believing he passed all admission standards, fellow freshman corner Michael Turner was held out to await final approval. Punter Kyle McQuown was given the starting punting assignment, but after three kicks, with a 44 yard average he was yanked for Nick Folk, who boomed three boots for a 60 yard clip.