1979 Arizona Wildcats football team

1979 Arizona Wildcats football
Fiesta Bowl, L 10–16 vs. Pittsburgh
Conference	Pacific-10 Conference
Record	6–5–1 (4–3 Pac-10)
Head coach	Tony Mason (3rd season)
Home stadium	Arizona Stadium

1979 Pacific-10 Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 USC $	6	–	0	–	1			11	–	0	–	1
No. 11 Washington	5	–	2	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
Arizona	4	–	3	–	0			6	–	5	–	1
Oregon	4	–	3	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
California	5	–	4	–	0			6	–	6	–	0
Stanford	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	5	–	1
Arizona State †	3	–	4	–	0			6	–	6	–	0
UCLA	3	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Washington State	2	–	6	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Oregon State	1	–	7	–	0			1	–	10	–	0
$ – Conference champion † – Arizona State later forfeited 5 wins (3 in conference) due to NCAA sanctions[1] Rankings from AP Poll

The 1979 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third and final season under head coach Tony Mason, the Wildcats compiled a 6–5–1 record (4–3 in Pac-10, third), lost to Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl,^[2] and outscored their opponents, 244 to 243.^[3][4] The team played its home games on campus at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

Arizona's statistical leaders included Jim Krohn with 1,094 passing yards, Hubert Oliver with 1,021 rushing yards, and Tim Holmes with 319 receiving yards.^[5] Linebacker Sam Giangardella led the team with 112 total tackles.^[6]

Mason was dismissed as coach in April 1980 in the wake of an alleged corruption scandal involving the program.^[7][8][9]

Before the season

The Wildcats completed the 1978 season with a record of 5–6 in their inaugural year as a member of the Pac-10. With many players returning for the 1979 season, Mason believed that Arizona would be ready to compete in the Pac-10 and attempt to contend for a bowl appearance.^[10]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 1	Colorado State*	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		W 33–17	50,323	[11]
September 8	at Washington State	Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA		W 22–7	26,753	[12]
September 15	California	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		L 7–10	52,124	[13]
September 22	Texas Tech*	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		T 14–14	40,476	[14]
September 29	San Jose State*	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		W 38–18	48,061	[15]
October 13	Oregon	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		W 24–13	47,681	[16]
October 20	Stanford	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		L 10–30	55,217	[17]
November 3	at No. 3 USC	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA		L 7–34	62,054	[18]
November 10	at San Diego State*	San Diego Stadium San Diego, CA		L 10–42	38,581	[19]
November 17	Oregon State	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ		W 42–18	45,162	[20]
November 24	at Arizona State	Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ (rivalry)		W 27–24	70,947	[21]
December 25	vs. No. 10 Pittsburgh*	Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ (Fiesta Bowl)	NBC	L 10–16	55,347	[22]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Game summaries

Colorado State

Arizona began the year at home against Colorado State, who was a former conference opponent for the Wildcats in their later WAC years prior to leaving after the 1977 season. The Wildcats easily defeated the Rams to start the season with a win.^[23]

Texas Tech

The Wildcats met Texas Tech for the ninth consecutive season. In a back and forth battle, both teams settled for a tie (overtime did not yet exist at the time). It was the first tie in the series since 1936.^[24]

San Diego State

Arizona traveled to San Diego to face the Aztecs. It was the second consecutive game that the Wildcats played in California (they had lost at USC the week before). San Diego State had replaced Arizona as a member of the WAC before the season.

The Wildcats were no match for the Aztecs as they gave up six touchdowns in an ugly loss.^[25] To date, this remains Arizona’s most recent loss to San Diego State on the road.

Arizona State

In the rivalry game against Arizona State, the Wildcats did not have to deal with former ASU coach Frank Kush, who was dismissed earlier in the season due to an incident that involved one of his players.^[26] Kush had dominated the Wildcats since he became coach in 1958, which led to the Sun Devils gaining the upper hand in the rivalry.^[27]

In the game itself, both teams were tied in the closing seconds. Wildcat kicker Brett Weber attempted a potential game-winning field goal, but missed it as time expired which would have led to the rivalry’s first-ever tie (which would not happen until 1987). However, ASU was penalized for going offsides, in which it gave Weber a second chance. Weber then successfully converted the kick to give the Wildcats their first win in Tempe since 1961.^[28] Weber's kick was known to Wildcat fans as “The Kick”.^[29] The win guaranteed the Wildcats of a winning record for the first time in the Mason era.

Pittsburgh (Fiesta Bowl)

Main article: 1979 Fiesta Bowl

See also: 1979 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

In their first bowl game since 1968, Arizona took on Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl. Late in the game with the Wildcats trailing, they attempted a late rally but ultimately came up short.^[30][31] The Wildcats never led at any point during the game. They would not return to the Fiesta Bowl again until 1994.

Season notes

• This season included Mason's only win against ASU and his only bowl appearance as Arizona coach. It was also his only winning season with the Wildcats.
• The Wildcats played Texas Tech for the ninth consecutive season. Prior to Arizona joining the Pac-10, fans had joked that by scheduling the Red Raiders, it was a sign that Texas Tech would become a member of the WAC (Arizona had the Red Raiders booked on their 1978 and 1979 schedules while they were still in WAC).^[32] Ultimately, that did not happen as Texas Tech remained a member of the now-defunct Southwest Conference until 1996 and being part of the Big 12 Conference ever since. Arizona stopped scheduling Texas Tech prior to the 1980 season and did not add them to their future schedules until 1988.
• From mid-September to late October, Arizona played five consecutive home games. This would not happen again until 1988.
• The Wildcats would not lose again to San Diego State until 2021. The two teams would not meet each other on the field again until 1997.
• Arizona's win over Arizona State was the second and final win against the Sun Devils in the 1970s (the first occurred in 1974).
• After losing the Fiesta Bowl, the Wildcats would finally win their first bowl game in 1986.

After the season

Despite the Wildcats losing in the Fiesta Bowl, the future seemed bright for the program. However, in the spring of 1980, during the offseason, Mason was let go after it was determined that he allegedly committed recruiting fraud by misusing money for paying players.^[33][34] After conducting a national coaching search, the Wildcats hired Tulane’s Larry Smith to lead the team.^[35]

Personnel

1979 Arizona Wildcats football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 5 Jim Krohn (C) Sr   Hubert Oliver	Defense Pos. # Name Class	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Brett Weber K Bill Zivic	Head coach Tony Mason Coordinators/assistant coaches Bob Davie Linebackers Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

References

1. "2017 Media Guide" (PDF). thesundevils.com. ASU Athletics. p. 127. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
2. "'Cats come up short in Fiesta Bowl". Arizona Daily Star. December 26, 1979.
3. "1979 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
4. "Arizona Football 2016 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona. 2016. p. 107. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
5. "1979 Arizona Wildcats Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
6. 2016 Media Guide, p. 86.
7. "Grid coach at Arizona forced out". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire service reports. April 7, 1980. p. 1C.
8. "Mason resigns from Arizona post". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. April 8, 1980. p. 19.
9. "Mason out as UA football coach in wake of alleged fraud scandal". Arizona Daily Star. April 7, 1980.
10. "UA football looks to win more in '79". Arizona Daily Star. May 12, 1979.
11. "Arizona stomps Colorado State". The News Tribune. September 2, 1979. Retrieved October 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Arizona takes 22–7 win". The Montgomery Advertiser. September 9, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Cal beats Arizona on late field goal". The Sacramento Bee. September 16, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Raiders knot Arizona". Wichita Falls Times. September 23, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "UA defense grounds Spartan aerial show". The Arizona Daily Star. September 30, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Potent Wildcat passing sends Ducks to defeat". The Sunday Oregonian. October 14, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Three Schonert TDs, rugged defense propel Stanford". Santa Cruz Sentinel. October 21, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "USC star sets 3 records in 34–7 rout of Arizona". The Kansas City Star. November 4, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "San Diego State rallies to beat Arizona, 42–10". Statesman Journal. November 11, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Arizona has easy time with Oregon St., 42–18". The Los Angeles Times. November 18, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Wildcats get extra try, beat Sun Devils 27–24". The Sunday Oregonian. November 25, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Pitt struggles to 16–10 triumph in Fiesta Bowl". York Daily Record. December 26, 1979. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Cats top ex-WAC foe Colorado State in season opener". Arizona Daily Star. September 2, 1979.
24. "Arizona, Texas Tech tie each other after defensive battle". Arizona Daily Star. September 23, 1979.
25. "Aztecs cruise to victory over Arizona". The San Diego Tribune. November 11, 1979.
26. "Wildcats relieved by no longer having to face longtime ASU coach". Tucson Citizen. November 23, 1979.
27. "UA-ASU football rivalry never the same without Kush". The Arizona Republic. November 24, 1979.
28. "'Cats nip ASU on freshman's field goal". Arizona Daily Star. November 25, 1979.
29. "The Kick: Wildcats sink Sun Devils with field goal on final play". Arizona Daily Wildcat. November 26, 1979.
30. "Pittsburgh has Fiesta in desert, defeats Arizona in bowl". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 26, 1979.
31. "No Fiesta celebration for Wildcats as they fall short against Pittsburgh in bowl". Arizona Daily Wildcat. January 14, 1980.
32. "No, Texas Tech is not joining the WAC as a result of scheduling Arizona each year". Arizona Daily Wildcat. October 20, 1976.
33. "Mason resigns amid recruiting incidents". Tucson Citizen. April 7, 1980.
34. "UA football coach Mason out after allegations of fraud". The Arizona Republic. April 7, 1980.
35. "Cats pick Tulane's Smith as new football coach". Arizona Daily Star. April 28, 1980.

External links

• Game program: Arizona vs. Washington State at Spokane – September 8, 1979