GLENDALE, Ariz. — BYU opened a new era under Kalani Sitake with a 18-16 win over Arizona in the Cactus Kickoff Classic at University of Phoenix Stadium.

It wasn’t always a masterpiece offensively; Taysom Hill completed just 21-of-29 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. But the defense was dominant, and there were few enough mistakes to make the acclimatizing coaching staff dip their feet in an opener against a Power 5 conference opponent.

Here are a few takeaways from the first game of the 2016 season.

BYU’s defense is really good

The Cougars held Arizona scoreless for the first half, and didn’t allow a touchdown until the 9:33 mark of the fourth quarter. After terrorizing starting quarterback Anu Solomon into negative-30 rushing yards, BYU had eight tackles for loss and sacks by four different players.

Francis Bernard also had an interception in his first regular-season game since moving from running back — and BYU’s pressure came without defensive tackle Travis Tuiloma, who was out with a Lisfranc injury.

Kai Nacua forced a key interception down the stretch to preserve the lead when the Wildcats looked to take back momentum in the fourth quarter.

Williams, Brown form strong run game

When a team’s leading fullback was the leading rusher in 2015, good things happen.

Add in Jamaal Williams, and even moreso. The fifth-year senior had 162 yards for the Cougars after missing a season upon withdrawing from school for personal reasons, and BYU piled up 213 yards on the ground.

Even sophomore fullback Brayden El-Bakri got in on the action, scoring on a 1-yard dive play at the goal line in the second quarter to force a 9-0 halftime advantage.

The passing game gets a lot of attention in Ty Detmer’s pro-style offense. But if BYU can run the ball like they did against Arizona, good things will happen in Sitake’s first season in charge.

Kicking struggles

The big question marks revolved around new offensive coordinator Detmer and defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki bringing new schemes home. But the biggest fail of the night was on special teams, where Rhett Almond struggling with his leg.

The sophomore barely squeezed a 24-yard field goal in the first half, then missed the PAT after BYU’s first touchdown to take a 9-0 lead. When Hill hit senior Colby Pearson for a six-yard TD toss in the fourth quarter, the Cougars didn’t line up for a PAT and dropped a 2-point conversion attempt, as well.

Then Jake Oldroyd, a late addition to fall camp, knocked down the game-winning field goal. Irony, eh?

A Touching Tribute

Arizona honored the family and girlfriend of former offensive lineman Zach Hemmila prior to the game. Coach Rich Rodriguez presented a gift of the lineman’s jersey to his family, and a moment of silence as well as a tribute video captured the attention of the mostly-full NFL stadium.

Hemmila, who died in his sleep this summer at the age of 22, was an Arizona native and long-time Wildcat supporter. As Rodriguez presented the family’s gift, the announced crowd of 50,528 stood and cheered — even the nearly 60 percent of the stadium that was filled with BYU fans.

College football is great, and Saturday had its incredible moments on the field. But it’s great to see two teams and two fan bases come together over so much more than a game.

BYU also added a new tradition by carrying out three flags prior to kickoff. Williams and safety Chris Badger carried out the Cougars’ team flag, and Arizona natives Max Hall, John Beck and Aaron Francisco hoisted the alumni flag on to the field. BYU alum Kaipo McGuire, who played wide receiver on the 1996 Cotton Bowl squad, ran out an American flag in full military regalia for a new tradition.

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