1980 Arizona Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1980 Arizona Wildcats football Pacific-10 Conference Pac-10 5–6 3–4 Larry Smith 1st Steve Axman 1st Moe Ankney 1st Hubie Oliver Arizona Stadium The 1980 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first season under head coach Larry Smith, the Wildcats compiled a 5–6 record (3–4 against Pac-10 opponents), finished in a tie for sixth place in the Pac-10, and were outscored by their opponents, 275 to 215.1980 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 6, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona/1980-schedule.htmlArizona Football 2016 Media Guide University of Arizona September 6, 2016 107 2016 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/arizona.sidearmsports.com/documents/2016/8/24/2016_Arizona_FB_Media_Guide.pdf September 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160921192006/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/arizona.sidearmsports.com/documents/2016/8/24/2016_Arizona_FB_Media_Guide.pdf dead The team played its home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Despite finishing the season with a 5–6 record, the Wildcats defeated UCLA (who was ranked second at the time), which would become the first of several signature moments during Smith's tenure with the program.Wildcats upset second-ranked Bruins for huge homecoming win Arizona Daily Wildcat November 3, 1980 The team's statistical leaders included Tom Tunnicliffe with 1,204 passing yards, Hubert Oliver with 655 rushing yards, and Tim Holmes with 545 receiving yards.1980 Arizona Wildcats Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 3, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona/1980.html Linebacker Jack Housley led the team with 104 total tackles.2016 Media Guide, p. 86. Before the season Arizona finished the 1979 season with a 6–5 record, and lost to Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl. During the offseason, head coach Tony Mason was discovered as being allegedly involved in a cash payment scandal by giving boosters money to players, which was illegal under NCAA rules. As a result, Mason resigned as coach and was replaced by Smith, who was coaching at Tulane.Mason out as UA football coach in wake of alleged fraud scandal Arizona Daily Star April 7, 1980Smith introduced as new UA football coach Arizona Daily Star April 28, 1980 Smith was a former assistant coach at Arizona under Mason's predecessor Jim Young. In a press conference, Smith promised to rebuild the program and bring the team to a winning success.New football coach promises change, hopes to bring success back to Tucson Arizona Daily Wildcat April 30, 1980 Schedule 1980 AP Mountain September 20 7:00 p.m. l y Colorado State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ KZAZ 13–15 48,511 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-pooles-field-goal/158460713/ The Arizona Republic Poole's field goal stuns Wildcats; Rams win, 15–13 September 21, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 w 7:00 p.m. y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 31–24 41,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-arizonas-cats-too-much/158512717/ The Modesto Bee Arizona's 'Cats too much for 'Bad News Bears' September 28, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 10:00 a.m. w y y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA ESPN 5–3 59,950 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-iowa-suffers-53/158514405/ The Sioux City Journal Iowa suffers 5–3 loss to Arizona October 5, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 6:00 p.m. l USC 2 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ CBS 10–27 54,789 https://www.newspapers.com/article/simi-valley-star-allen-leads-trojans-ove/158514464/ Simi Valley Star Allen leads Trojans over 'Cats October 12, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 12:30 p.m. l Washington State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ USA 14–38 47,132 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-harris-cougs-rout-arizona/158513818/ The Olympian Harris, Cougs rout Arizona, 38–14 October 19, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 7:30 p.m. l y Notre Dame 4 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ ESPN 3–20 56,211 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-fake-punt-helps-notre-da/158454611/ Chicago Tribune Fake punt helps Notre Dame run to victory over Arizona October 26, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 12:30 p.m. w y UCLA 2 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ ABC 23–17 42,876 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-arizona-shocks-secon/158514544/ The Idaho Statesman Arizona shocks second-ranked UCLA 23–17 November 2, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 8:30 p.m. l y Washington Husky Stadium Seattle, WA ESPN 22–45 49,341 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-huskies-smelling-roses-aft/158514651/ The Columbian Huskies smelling Roses after romp November 9, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 3:00 p.m. w y Pacific (CA) Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ KZAZ 63–35 39,576 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-wildcats-build-conf/158514727/ The Arizona Republic Wildcats build confidence with 63–35 victory November 16, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 2:00 p.m. w y Oregon State Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR 24–7 15,300 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-arizona-rushes-past/158487036/ The Arizona Republic Arizona rushes past Oregon State, 24–7 November 23, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com November 29 10:00 a.m. l Arizona State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ rivalry ABC 7–44 53,108 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-devils-447-rout-l/158514818/ The Arizona Republic Devils' 44–7 rout leaves Cats in mourning November 30, 1980 November 5, 2024 Newspapers.com Game summaries Colorado State 1980 Colorado State Rams football team Arizona opened the season against ex-WAC foe Colorado State in Smith's debut as Wildcat coach. The Rams converted on a field goal in the game’s final minute to win it and ruin Smith’s first game.Colorado State spoils Smith's UA debut with late FG Tucson Citizen September 22, 1980 California 1980 California Golden Bears football team The Wildcats went on the road to Berkeley to face California. Arizona narrowly defeated the Golden Bears to give Smith not only his first win as Arizona coach, but his first Pac-10 victory as well as his first road win.Cats edge Bears, give Smith his first UA win Arizona Daily Wildcat September 28, 1980 Iowa Arizona at Iowa Wildcats Hawkeyes 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 October 4 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA CDT 59,950 yes 1 12:07 ARIZ Safety, punt blocked by Ware out of end zone ARIZ 2–0 2 7:31 ARIZ Weber 37-yard field goal ARIZ 5–0 4 9:23 IOWA Reggie Roby 36-yard field goal ARIZ 5–3 yes 1980 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The Wildcats traveled to Iowa in their next game against the Hawkeyes. Both Arizona and Iowa's offenses struggled throughout the game, but the Wildcats’ defense dominated and scored a safety early by blocking a punt. Arizona ultimately held on for the victory.Wildcats nip Iowa, 5–3, in low scoring match Tucson Citizen October 6, 1980 It was one of the only games in college football history in which a team won by only scoring exactly five points.Wildcats' win over Iowa featured a baseball score Arizona Daily Wildcat October 6, 1980 It was also Arizona's fifth consecutive win over Iowa dating back to 1970. They would not defeat the Hawkeyes again until 1998. USC 1980 USC Trojans football team In Smith's first big test as Arizona's coach, the Wildcats took on USC, who was ranked second in the nation. The Trojans would be no match for the Wildcats as they would earn an easy victory.Cats' weapons can't stop USC victory, 27–10 Arizona Daily Star October 12, 1980No. 2 USC dominates Arizona Los Angeles Times October 12, 1980 Smith would ultimately leave Arizona to become USC’s coach after the 1986 season. Notre Dame 1980 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Arizona played Notre Dame for the first time since 1941, with Notre Dame making its first visit to the state of Arizona. At home against the tough fourth-ranked Fighting Irish, the Wildcats never had a chance as they would be outplayed and scored only a field goal. A memorable play occurred in the second half when the Irish faked a punt to have more points and Arizona never recovered.Fake punt keys Irish victory over UA Arizona Daily Star October 26, 1980#4 Notre Dame 20, Arizona 3: Fighting Irish top Wildcats in desert Chicago Tribune October 26, 1980Cats no match No. 4 Irish Tucson Citizen October 27, 1980 To date, this remains Notre Dame's only visit to Tucson (and very likely the only time ever), as the Wildcats believed that it would be too expensive to schedule a home game against a storied non-conference opponent like the Irish, allegedly since Tucson is a small market.Scheduling elite football opponents may be too expensive for UA's small budget Arizona Daily Star April 20, 2011 UCLA 1980 UCLA Bruins football team For homecoming, Arizona hosted second-ranked UCLA. The Bruins were poised to get the top ranking with a win, as #1 Alabama had lost to Mississippi State earlier that day. However, the Wildcats put those hopes to rest by upsetting the Bruins and finally giving Smith his first home win as coach. It was also Smith's first big win at Arizona.Wildcats stun No. 2 UCLA in major upset Arizona Daily Star November 2, 1980 The win by Arizona, combined with Alabama's loss, stunned the college football world as the top two ranked teams lost that day.College football world shocked by pair of huge upsets The Arizona Republic November 2, 1980 Arizona State Arizona State at Arizona Sun Devils 14 17 13 0 Wildcats 0 0 7 0 November 29 Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ ABC yes 1 ASU Wetzel 22-yard pass from Pagel (Lewis kick) ASU 7–0 1 ASU Maxwell recovers blocked punt in end zone (Lewis kick) ASU 14–0 2 ASU Richards 35-yard interception return (Lewis kick) ASU 21–0 2 ASU Lewis 23-yard field goal ASU 24–0 2 ASU Mistler 4-yard pass from Pagel (Lewis kick) ASU 31–0 3 ARIZ Netting 18-yard pass from Tunnicliffe (Weber kick) ASU 31–7 3 ASU Pagel 1-yard run (Lewis kick) ASU 38–7 3 ASU Weathers yard run ASU 44–7 yes 1980 Arizona State Sun Devils football team Arizona-Arizona State football rivalry In the rivalry game, Arizona and Arizona State faced each other. For the Wildcats, this was Smith's first matchup against ASU. The more experienced Sun Devils dominated the mistake-prone Wildcats in a blowout, as most of the Arizona Stadium crowd had already headed for the exits by the time the fourth quarter began. Arizona managed to get on the scoreboard with a touchdown in the third quarter that prevented a shutout against a blitzing Arizona State defense, but the deficit would be too much to overcome in an embarrassing rivalry loss.Sun Devils Club Arizona with Defense https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=4pF9x-cDGsoC&dat=19801130&printsec=frontpage The Register-Guard Eugene 3B November 30, 1980 November 22, 2019ASU takes advantage of Wildcats, 44–7 Arizona Daily Star November 30, 1980Devils' 44-7 rout leaves Cats in mourning; ASU's defense dominates The Arizona Republic November 30, 1980Sun Devils too much for Wildcats Tucson Citizen December 1, 1980 Days after the game (and season) ended, Smith said in an interview that he claimed that ASU's dominance over Arizona in the rivalry at the time was a result of Arizona State being located in the larger Phoenix area (ASU's campus is in the suburb Tempe), as UA is located in Tucson, with its metro area being smaller than Phoenix's, and referred to ASU as the state's “de facto NFL team” as a result (the state of Arizona did not get an NFL team until 1988 when the Cardinals relocated from St. Louis), and that it led to the Wildcats being consistently played in the Sun Devils’ shadow due to Arizona State's performance under the coaching prestige of former coach Frank Kush, who was fired midway through the previous season.Smith refers to ASU as state's NFL team after ugly loss Arizona Daily Star December 3, 1980 Smith later said that as the new coach, he vowed to rebuild the program to build a bright future and to lead the Wildcats to a winning tradition.Cats hope to rebuild winning football formula under Smith Tucson Citizen December 5, 1980 The Wildcats finished Smith's first season with a record of 5–6.Ugly loss to ASU ends Smith's first year with Wildcats Arizona Daily Wildcat December 1, 1980Smith's first year at UA full of highs and lows Tucson Citizen December 3, 1980 Season notes Smith's first season was known as a rebuilding year to fans. An extremely difficult schedule also affected Arizona's chances at a bowl game, and led to the team's mediocre record. The season was the only one in the 1980s that Arizona finished with a losing record and one of only two seasons in the decade that they had a non-winning record (the other was in 1987 when they went 4–4–3). Also, this season started a decade of resurgence for the Wildcats, fulfilling Smith's promise when he was hired before the season started (see above). Arizona did not play Texas Tech for the first time since 1970. From mid-October through early November, due to Pac-10 scheduling, the Wildcats played four consecutive home games. The victory over UCLA was the first big win under Smith, which became overshadowed by Arizona's upset of USC (UCLA's chief rival) during the following season. This season was the only one in Smith lost to ASU at home. Arizona did not lose to their rival at home again until 1992. In addition, this was the only time under Smith that the Wildcats scored less than ten points against ASU. The game against Arizona State had the earliest start time in Arizona Stadium history. The 10:00 a.m. kickoff was due to the fact that the game was televised regionally and that there were scheduling conflicts within the broadcasting window, meaning that there wasn't an open afternoon/evening time slot available for the game to kick off.Saturday morning football in Tucson: UA-ASU to kick off at 10AM Tucson Citizen November 25, 1980Cats and Devils set for late-morning kickoff The Arizona Republic November 26, 1980 This was the last season until 2012 that Arizona wore red helmets and also the last season until 2005 that they wore red jerseys for home games. The red helmets had been worn since the 1977 season and were previously used from 1967 to 1972 and the red jerseys had been their primary home jerseys since 1977. Arizona officials believed that the team wearing red was too confusing with Pac-10 schools USC, Stanford, Arizona State, and Washington State, whose colors are a variation and/or a darker shade of red (Arizona and conference foe California have blue as one of their colors, though Arizona's blue is slightly lighter than California's, who has a darker shade of blue). Beginning in 1981, the Wildcats returned to wearing blue jerseys at home and white helmets for the first time since 1976. Prior to 1977, Arizona had worn the blue jerseys for home games. The helmets would feature a red “A” on them and it was worn by players until the end of the 1989 season.Smith seeks change to Wildcats after first season Arizona Daily Wildcat January 15, 1981UA football to overhaul uniforms, phase out red to distinguish from other Pac-10 foes Arizona Daily Star January 18, 1981 Arizona did not wear red jerseys for a home game against Arizona State again until 2006. After the season Although the Wildcats finished the 1980 season with a losing record, they would begin improving under Smith and started to compete with the other conference teams, as Arizona completed their third season as a Pac-10 member, and would build a winning culture for both the university and the Tucson community that lasted through most of the 1980s and the team would become known for their upset victories under Smith's watch.Future looks bright for Smith, Wildcats football Arizona Daily Star December 18, 1980 Even though they would later be punished for their part in the scandal prior to Smith's hiring, Arizona would bring in recruits to bring success to start a period of dominance that would surprise fans across Arizona and credit Smith for making the Wildcats a relevant team again, like what Young did during the mid-1970s.Despite mediocre '80 season, UA football becoming relevant again Tucson Citizen December 23, 1980 Personnel 1980 Arizona Wildcats y 39 Rory Barnett FB 9 Jr Bob Carter WR Richard Hersey   6 Brian Holland RB Tim Holmes   44 Sr Hubie Oliver RB y C John Pace   81 Rich Roberts TE 12 Fr Tom Tunnicliffe QB 98 Sr Robert Cobb Robert Cobb (American football) DT y 56 Sr Sam Giangardella LB 32 Sr Marcellus Greene CB y Jack Housley LB 92 Sr Mike Robinson Mike Robinson (defensive end) DT y Barry Kramer P 13 Sergio Vega P 5 Brett Weber K Larry Smith References Arizona Category:Arizona Wildcats football seasons Arizona Wildcats football