COLLEGE FOOTBALL / WEEK 2 : ARIZONA 35, TCU 31 : Lightning Strikes First, Then Wildcats Do So in Second Half

Arizona’s explosive offense showed up just in time to save Sunday night’s game against Texas Christian and, possibly, the Wildcats’ season.

Keith Smith atoned for two fumbles by throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Northcutt with 2:10 remaining that gave No. 15 Arizona a 35-31 victory. The opening kickoff was delayed 29 minutes by lightning.

Three touchdown passes from backup Ortege Jenkins in a 3:46 span in the third quarter allowed the Arizona (1-1) to turn what had been a 25-7 deficit into a 28-25 lead. It was first time the Wildcats led this season after being blown out 41-7 by Penn State on Aug. 28.

TCU (0-1) tied the game on its next possession with a 43-yard field goal by Chris Kaylakie, then got a 44-yarder from him with 13:18 to play following a fumble by Arizona’s Trung Canidate. It was the Wildcats’ fourth turnover of the game.

Arizona missed a chance to tie the game midway through the fourth quarter when Chris Palic missed a 43-yard field goal, but the Horned Frogs couldn’t move the ball and and punted.

The Wildcats turned to Smith for the first time since his second fumble--which set up the touchdown that put TCU ahead 23-7--and he responded by directing the game-winning drive, moving Arizona 77 yards in six plays.

Northcutt was the go-to guy for both Arizona quarterbacks, making 10 receptions for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

On the final drive, Northcutt was wide open on receptions of 28 and 16 yards, then caught the game-winner in a crowd of five defenders and sliced through them the final 10 yards.

TCU drove to the Arizona 45 before turning the ball over on downs.