1973 Arizona Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1973 Arizona Wildcats football Western Athletic Conference WAC 8–3 6–1 Jim Young 1st John Mackovic 1st Larry Smith 1st Ransom Terrell James O'Connor Mark Neal Arizona Stadium WAC co-champion The 1973 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. Led by first-year head coach Jim Young, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, sharing the WAC title rival Arizona State. The Sun Devils won the head-to-head matchup to clinch the conference's bowl bid, and Arizona was left out of the postseason. Young was brought in by Arizona to replace Bob Weber, who was fired after the 1972 season. The Wildcats believed that Young would rebuild the team and to return them to their winning ways.New UA football coach Young plans to return winning formula back to Tucson Tucson Daily Citizen January 2, 1973 Schedule 1973 AP Mountain September 8 w y Colorado State Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO 31–0 17,217 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-arizonas-ball-cont/156796355/ The Billings Gazette Arizona's ball control stymies Colorado State September 9, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 15 w y Wyoming War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 21–7 19,718 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-quarterback-hill/156796436/ Fort Collins Coloradoan Quarterback Hill leads Arizona September 16, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 w y Indiana Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 26–10 38,643 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-1973-09-22-arizona/155217623/ The Indianapolis Star Arizona Hill too much for I.U. machine, 26–10 September 23, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 w y y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 23–20 40,365 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-iowa-loses-again/156796649/ Chicago Tribune Iowa loses again October 7, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 w New Mexico Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ rivalry 22–14 39,582 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-santa-fe-new-mexican-lobos-lose-to-a/156796783/ The Santa Fe New Mexican Lobos lose to Arizona October 14, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 l y 19 Texas Tech Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 17–31 40,172 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-odessa-american-texas-tech-gets-win/156796856/ The Odessa American Texas Tech gets win over No. 19 October 21, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 27 w Utah Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ ABC 42–21 34,219 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ogden-standard-examiner-arizona-char/156796969/ The Ogden Standard-Examiner Arizona charges to 42–21 victory over Redskins October 28, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 w y UTEP Sun Bowl El Paso, TX 35–18 6,940 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-jim-upchurch-powers/156797074/ The Arizona Republic Jim Upchurch powers UA's 35–18 win November 4, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 w y BYU Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 24–10 19,597 https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-wildcats-rake-cougars/156797157/ The El Paso Times Wildcats rake Cougars November 11, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 2:30 p.m. l y 19 Air Force Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 26–27 39,733 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-pilot-air-force-thwarts-arizona-ups/156797252/ News-Pilot Air Force thwarts Arizona upset bid November 18, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 24 l y Arizona State 13 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ rivalry 19–55 51,383 https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-arizona-state-takes/156795840/ Albuquerque Journal Arizona State takes WAC crown, 55–19 November 25, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com 2009 Arizona football media guide 1973 NCAA Football Statistics (Arizona) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/363652 National Collegiate Athletic Association October 8, 2024 Personnel Coaching staff Head coach: Jim Young Offensive coaches: Bill Belknap, Bob Bockrath, John Mackovic, Willie Peete Defensive coaches: Mike Hankwitz, Sharkey Price (DL), Tom Reed, Larry Smith2010 Arizona press kit Roster 1973 Arizona Wildcats y 18 So Theo Bell WR 23 So Keith Hartwig WR y 57 Sr Wally Brumfield DE 77 So Mike Dawson Mike Dawson (defensive end) DT y 61 Fr Obra Erby LB 32 So Mitch Hoopes P y Jim Young Bill Adamson, mg Dennis Anderson, s Mike Battles, s Jay Bledsoe, og Charlie Gorham, k Glen Gresham, lb Rich Hall, dt Willie Hamilton, rb Allyn Haynes, og Bruce Hill, qb Dan Howard, te Leon Lawrence, db Rex Naumetz, de Brian Murray, ot Mark Neal, wr Jim O'Connor, ot Vince Phason, cb Ransom Terrell, lb Jim Upchurch, rb Bruce Walker, dt Roussell Williams, cb Bob Windisch, c Statistics Passing Player Comp Att Yards TD INT Bruce Hill 104 216 1,529 9 9 Rushing Player Att Yards TD Jim Upchurch 210 1,184 10 Receiving Player Rec Yards TD Theo Bell 47 790 7 Awards All-WAC (1st Team) Jim O'Connor (OT) Willie Hamilton (RB) Roussell Williams (CB) Ransom Terrell (LB) Wally Brumfield (DE) All-WAC (Second Team) Jay Bledsoe (OG) Bob Windisch (C) T Bell (WR) Jim Upchurch (RB) Mike Dawson (DT) Glen Gresham (LB) Mike Battles (FS) Leon Lawrence (SS) Charlie Gorham (K) Mitch Hoopes (P) WAC Rookie of the Year: Bruce Hill WAC Coach of the Year: Jim Young Season notes Despite sharing the WAC title, Arizona did not earn a bowl invitation due to its loss to Arizona State and a lack of bowl spots available at the time. The head-to-head loss to ASU was a major reason behind the Wildcats being uninvited for a bowl. Had they beaten ASU and won the WAC outright, the Wildcats would have earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. Three of Arizona’s coaching staff would become future Wildcat head coaches. Larry Smith (defensive coordinator) would have a successful tenure with the Wildcats that began in 1980, and John Mackovic (offensive coordinator) was hired in 2001 and his Wildcat tenure would turn out to be a failure. A third coach, Mike Hankwitz, replaced Mackovic as Arizona’s coach during a disastrous 2003 season. Many Wildcats fans as well as the Tucson community credited Young for turning the program around after his predecessor’s failed tenure with the team.UA fans thank Young for season turnaround Arizona Daily Star November 29, 1973 Young would be awarded the WAC coach of the year for his efforts. References Arizona Category:Arizona Wildcats football seasons Category:Western Athletic Conference football champion seasons Arizona Wildcats football