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BOULDER, Colorado — Arizona football returns from a bye week and begins the final stretch of the season in the Rocky Mountains against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on Saturday. 

The Wildcats look to avenge last season's 27-point loss to Colorado on homecoming when Arizona takes on CU for homecoming this year. 

The last time Arizona was in Boulder, the Wildcats escaped with a walk-off win, courtesy of kicker Tyler Loop's chip-shot field goal. Two years after Arizona's thrilling victory over Colorado, both teams look much different.

Here are three players from both teams that you should keep an eye on this Saturday:  

Arizona

Noah Fifita, quarterback: Fifita has completed 155 of 235 passes (66%) for 1,829 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions this season, which is on pace for a significant improvement following his 18-touchdown and 12-interception season in 2024.

Fifita recently completed 24 of 26 passes (92.3%) for 289 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Arizona's 31-28 loss to Houston. It’s the best single-game completion rate in school history (with a minimum of 20 pass attempts).

Fifita recently passed Tom Tunnicliffe for the third-most career passing yards (7,515) by a Wildcat. Fifita trails Nick Foles and Willie Tuitama for the most career yards in UA history. Fifita is third in Arizona history with 61 passing touchdowns; he needs seven more to pass Foles and Tuitama. 

The last time Arizona played in Boulder, Fifita struggled in the first half, but completed all four passes on the final drive to set up a game-winning field goal. 

Ismail Mahdi, running back: Mahdi leads the team in rushing yards (445) this season, but hasn't scored a touchdown since the Weber State game in September. 

Since Mahdi was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after he recorded 189 yards in a 23-17 win over Kansas State, the senior running back has 182 yards in the last four games combined. 

Considering Arizona is facing the worst rushing defense in the Big 12, Mahdi could return to early-season form this week. 

Michael Salgado-Medina, kicker: Since missing a 47-yard field goal in the Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State, Arizona's kicker has made four straight field goals, including a career-long 57-yarder. 

Salgado-Medina hasn't made a field goal on the road this season. In the mile-high elevation, the Wildcats could potentially roll out their starting kicker for longer field goals against Colorado. 

Colorado

DJ McKinney, cornerback: The second-year starter has turned into one of Colorado's most productive defensive backs. Last season, the 6-2, 180-pound McKinney led the team in defensive snaps (840) and finished third on the team with 62 tackles.

McKinney was also fourth in the Big 12 in pass deflections last season. His first-ever pick-six was against Oklahoma State, his former team. This season, McKinney has 34 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups. 

Kaidon Salter, quarterback: The Dallas native started his career at Tennessee, but transferred to Liberty, where he broke out as one of the top Group of 5 quarterbacks nationally. Before his lone season at Colorado, Salter passed for 5,889 yards, 56 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, while rushing for 2,006 yards and 21 touchdowns. Salter is known for his arm, but he can be effective with his legs.  

Jordan Seaton, left tackle: Seaton is arguably the top offensive lineman in the Big 12. The Washington D.C. product signed with CU as the top-rated offensive tackle nationally in 2024, according to . 

The 6-5, 330-sophomore is expected to be a first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. Seaton gave up his first sack of the season last week against Utah, per Pro Football Focus. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said Seaton "is just really versatile" and “you may see him in a couple of different spots this week" against Arizona.