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HOME ~ College Football History |
Arizona
Football History
1921
Drop-kicker/receiver Harold "Nosey" McClellan leads the nation in
scoring with 124 points. Wildcats finish the regular season 7-1, are
invited to UA's first bowl game, the East-West Christmas Classic in San
Diego, to play powerhouse Centre College of Kentucky.
October 18, 1926
UA quarterback
 and student body president John "Button" Salmon dies from
injuries sustained in a car wreck. His final words, spoken to coach
"Pop" McKale, are: "Tell them.....tell the team to Bear Down." Soon
thereafter, the UA student body adopts "Bear Down" as the school's
athletic motto.
October 12,1929
Arizona Stadium opens. In the official stadium dedication game, Arizona
beats Cal Tech 35-0.
1930
Bill "The Eel" Hargis becomes the first Wildcat to rush for 1,000 yards
in a season.
1933-37
Coach Gerald "Tex" Oliver's "Blue Brigade" plays an expanded, more
nationwide schedule, compiles a record of 31-11-4, and produces UA's
first All-Americans: halfback Ted Bland (1935), fullback Walt Nielson
(1937), and center Tom Greenfield (1938). The team's 1938 record of 8-2
was a school best to date.
1941
UA leads the nation in passing offense, and end Hank "Birdlegs" Stanton
leads the nation in pass receiving and is named All-America.
1947
Quarterback Fred W. Enke leads the nation in total offense.
1953
In its first televised game, broadcast statewide, UA beats Arizona State
35-0.
1954
In his first game as starting halfback, sophomore Art Luppino rushes for
228 yards on only six carries and scores 32 points. He goes on to lead
the nation in rushing, scoring, all-purpose running, and kickoff
returns.
1955
Art Luppino becomes the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation
in rushing twice. He also ties for the national title in all-purpose
running and is third in scoring.
1958
Dave "The Roadrunner" Hibbert leads the nation in pass receiving.
1961
Coached by Jim LaRue and led by quarterback Eddie Wilson and "Touchdown
Twins" Bobby Lee "The General" Thompson and "Jackrabbit" Joe Hernandez,
Arizona compiles a record of 8-1-1, UA's best to date, and breaks into
the National Top 20 for the first time.
1974-75
Coach Jim Young's Wildcats compile back-to-back 9-2 seasons, UA's first
nine-win campaigns. Receiver Theopolis "T" Bell is named All-America and
fullback Jim Upchurch becomes the second Wildcat to rush for 1,000 yards
for two consecutive seasons.
1978
Arizona enters the Pacific-10 Conference.
1980-83
Tom Tunnicliffe shatters UA career records for passing and total
offense.
1982-83
Linebacker Ricky Hunley becomes UA's first consensus All-American, an
honor he receives two consecutive years.
1982-85
Place-kicker Max Zendejas breaks Art Luppino's career scoring record.
1986
Coached by Larry Smith and led by 1,000yd. rusher David Adams, Arizona
finishes 9-3, defeating North Carolina in the Aloha Bowl.
1987
Defensive back Chuck Cecil receives consensus All-America, Academic
All-America, and NCAA Top Six honors.
1990
All-American Darryll Lewis wins the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's
best defensive back.
1991-94
Ontiwaun Carter breaks Art Luppino's career rushing record.
1992
Arizona's "Desert Swarm"defense is born. UA leads the nation in scoring
defense and nose guard Rob Waldrop is a consensus All-American.
1993
"Desert Swarm" leads the nation in rushing defense and achieves its
first 10-victory season, defeating Miami 29-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. Rob
Waldrop is named UPI Lineman of the Year, FWAA Outstanding Defensive
Player, Outland Trophy winner, and unanimous All-American.
1994
Steve McLaughlin wins the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best
place-kicker.
1995
Defensive lineman Tedy Bruschi is named Unanimous All-America.
1996
Center Wayne Wyatt earns National Football Foundation/Hall of Fame
Scholar-Athlete honors and is UA's 13th football Academic All-American
1998
Former linebacker Ricky Hunley becomes UA's first College Football Hall
of Fame inductee.
1998
Arizona wins 12 games, beats Nebraska 23-20 in the Holiday Bowl and
finishes ranked number four in the country, its highest ranking ever.
Consensus All-America Chris McAllister wins the Tatupu Award as the
nation's best special teams player.
1999
Former coach Jim Young becomes UA's first coach inducted into the
College Football Hall of Fame.
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