1979 Arizona Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1979 Arizona Wildcats football Pacific-10 Conference Pac-10 6–5–1 4–3 Tony Mason 3rd Arizona Stadium Fiesta Bowl L 10–16 vs. Pittsburgh 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,'Cats come up short in Fiesta Bowl Arizona Daily Star December 26, 1979 and outscored their opponents, 244 to 243.1979 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 6, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona/1979-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 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.1979 Arizona Wildcats Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 6, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona/1979.html Linebacker Sam Giangardella led the team with 112 total tackles.2016 Media Guide, p. 86. Mason was dismissed as coach in April 1980 in the wake of an alleged corruption scandal involving the program.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FPJVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3eEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6144%2C1856958 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon wire service reports Grid coach at Arizona forced out April 7, 1980 1Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p_tLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Qu4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6683%2C3332465 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Mason resigns from Arizona post April 8, 1980 19Mason out as UA football coach in wake of alleged fraud scandal Arizona Daily Star April 7, 1980 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.UA football looks to win more in '79 Arizona Daily Star May 12, 1979 Schedule 1979 AP September 1 w y Colorado State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 33–17 50,323 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-arizona-stomps-colorado/157438501/ The News Tribune Arizona stomps Colorado State September 2, 1979 October 19, 2024 Newspapers.com September 8 w y Washington State Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA 22–7 26,753 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-arizona-takes/157804106/ The Montgomery Advertiser Arizona takes 22–7 win September 9, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com September 15 l California Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 7–10 52,124 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-cal-beats-arizona-on/157814117/ The Sacramento Bee Cal beats Arizona on late field goal September 16, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 t y Texas Tech Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 14–14 40,476 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wichita-falls-times-raiders-knot-arizona/157777703/ Wichita Falls Times Raiders knot Arizona September 23, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 w y San Jose State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 38–18 48,061 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-ua-defense-grounds-sp/157816290/ The Arizona Daily Star UA defense grounds Spartan aerial show September 30, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 w Oregon Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 24–13 47,681 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-potent-wildcat-pass/157815767/ The Sunday Oregonian Potent Wildcat passing sends Ducks to defeat October 14, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 l Stanford Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 10–30 55,217 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-three-schonert-tds/157813676/ Santa Cruz Sentinel Three Schonert TDs, rugged defense propel Stanford October 21, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 l y USC 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 7–34 62,054 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-usc-star-sets-3-rec/157816428/ The Kansas City Star USC star sets 3 records in 34–7 rout of Arizona November 4, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 l y y San Diego State San Diego Stadium San Diego, CA 10–42 38,581 https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-san-diego-state-rallie/157816525/ Statesman Journal San Diego State rallies to beat Arizona, 42–10 November 11, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 w y Oregon State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 42–18 45,162 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-arizona-has-easy-t/157803866/ The Los Angeles Times Arizona has easy time with Oregon St., 42–18 November 18, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com November 24 w y Arizona State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ rivalry 27–24 70,947 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-wildcats-get-extra/157812887/ The Sunday Oregonian Wildcats get extra try, beat Sun Devils 27–24 November 25, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com December 25 l y y Pittsburgh 10 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Fiesta Bowl NBC 10–16 55,347 https://www.newspapers.com/article/york-daily-record-pitt-struggles-to-161/157816686/ York Daily Record Pitt struggles to 16–10 triumph in Fiesta Bowl December 26, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com 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.Cats top ex-WAC foe Colorado State in season opener Arizona Daily Star September 2, 1979 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.Arizona, Texas Tech tie each other after defensive battle Arizona Daily Star September 23, 1979 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.Aztecs cruise to victory over Arizona The San Diego Tribune November 11, 1979 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.Wildcats relieved by no longer having to face longtime ASU coach Tucson Citizen November 23, 1979 Kush had dominated the Wildcats since he became coach in 1958, which led to the Sun Devils gaining the upper hand in the rivalry.UA-ASU football rivalry never the same without Kush The Arizona Republic November 24, 1979 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 offside, 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.'Cats nip ASU on freshman's field goal Arizona Daily Star November 25, 1979 Weber's kick was known to Wildcat fans as “The Kick”.The Kick: Wildcats sink Sun Devils with field goal on final play Arizona Daily Wildcat November 26, 1979 The win guaranteed the Wildcats of a winning record for the first time in the Mason era. Pittsburgh (Fiesta Bowl) 1979 Fiesta Bowl 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.Pittsburgh has Fiesta in desert, defeats Arizona in bowl Pittsburgh Post-Gazette December 26, 1979No Fiesta celebration for Wildcats as they fall short against Pittsburgh in bowl Arizona Daily Wildcat January 14, 1980 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).No, Texas Tech is not joining the WAC as a result of scheduling Arizona each year Arizona Daily Wildcat October 20, 1976 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.Mason resigns amid recruiting incidents Tucson Citizen April 7, 1980UA football coach Mason out after allegations of fraud The Arizona Republic April 7, 1980 After conducting a national coaching search, the Wildcats hired Tulane’s Larry Smith to lead the team.Cats pick Tulane's Smith as new football coach Arizona Daily Star April 28, 1980 Personnel 1979 Arizona Wildcats y 9 So Bob Carter QB 48 Sr Larry Heater RB y 80 Jr Al Hill WR 5 Sr Jim Krohn QB C 44 Jr Hubie Oliver RB y 98 Jr Robert Cobb Robert Cobb (American football) DT y 89 Sr John Crawford DE 95 Sr Cleveland Crosby DT y 56 Jr Sam Giangardella LB 32 Jr Marcellus Greene CB y 92 Jr Mike Robinson Mike Robinson (defensive end) DT y Brett Weber K 3 So Bill Zivic K Tony Mason Bob DavieLinebackers Tom RoggemanDefensive line References External links Game program: Arizona vs. Washington State at Spokane – September 8, 1979 Arizona Category:Arizona Wildcats football seasons Arizona Wildcats football