1989 Arizona Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1989 Arizona Wildcats football Pacific-10 Conference Pac-10 25 8–4 5–3 Dick Tomey 3rd Rip Scherer 1st Larry Mac Duff 3rd Arizona Stadium Copper Bowl champion Copper Bowl W 17–10 vs. NC State The 1989 Arizona Wildcats football team represented University of Arizona during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The offense scored 248 points while the defense allowed 178 points. Led by head coach Dick Tomey in his third season, the Wildcats played to an 8–4 record (5–3 in Pac-10) and participated in the first Copper Bowl which, ironically, was held at their home stadium. The Wildcats defeated North Carolina State in the bowl game. Before the season Arizona had completed the 1988 season with a 7–4 record, but missed out on a bowl game (likely due to losing to ranked teams as well as fewer bowls at the time). Fans believed that Tomey was building the team to success and the Wildcats entered 1989 with high expectations.Wildcat football prepares for '89 season, hopes for more success Arizona Daily Star August 22, 1989 The team earned a top-20 ranking in the preseason. Schedule 1989 AP September 2 w 18 Stanford Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ KMSB 19–3 48,712 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-green-era-begins-with/174074853/ The Sacramento Bee Green era begins with thud: Arizona rolls past Stanford September 3, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 9 l y y 20 Texas Tech Jones Stadium Lubbock, TX Prime 14–24 35,940 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-gray-tech-rush/174053611/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Gray, Tech rush by No. 20 Arizona September 10, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 16 w y Oklahoma 6 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ Prime 6–3 50,931 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-angelo-standard-times-wildcats-shock/174074908/ San Angelo Standard-Times Wildcats shock Oklahoma 6–3 September 17, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 23 w 23 Washington 11 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ Prime 20–17 50,935 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-pfaff-gets-kicks-ag/174074977/ The Arizona Republic Pfaff gets kicks again for UA September 24, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 l y 17 Oregon Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR Prime 10–16 39,631 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-oregon-holds-on-to-topple/174074192/ The Columbian Oregon holds on to topple No. 17 Arizona October 1, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 w UCLA 22 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ ABC 42–7 51,562 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-arizona-slugs-ucla/174075056/ Tulsa World Arizona slugs UCLA October 15, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 w y 22 Washington State 15 Martin Stadium Pullman, WA Prime 23–21 36,090 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-ua-stays-in-control-o/174075123/ The Arizona Daily Star UA stays in control of its fate October 22, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 w y 17 Pacific (CA) Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ KMSB 38–14 46,449 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-the-defense-rests/174075211/ The Arizona Republic The defense rests: Arizona whips Pacific October 29, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 l y 15 California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ABC 28–29 29,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-california-rallies-t/174075302/ Santa Cruz Sentinel California rallies to upset No. 15 Arizona November 5, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 l 25 y USC 9 Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ ABC 3–24 52,606 https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-usc-bowls-over-ar/174073674/ Honolulu Star-Bulletin & Advertiser USC bowls over Arizona, 24–3 November 12, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 25 w y Arizona State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ rivalry ESPN 28–10 74,926 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wildcats-continue-m/174075388/ The Spokesman-Review Wildcats continue mastery over Sun Devils November 26, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com December 31 w y y NC State Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ Copper Bowl TBS 17–10 37,237 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bangor-daily-news-wildcats-down-wolf/140179829/ The Bangor Daily News Wildcats down Wolfpack 17–10 January 2, 1990 February 3, 2024 Newspapers.com Rankings 1989 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 18 20 RV 23 17 RV RV 22 17 15 25 RV RV RV RV RV 25 Coaches 0 16 NR NR RV RV 15 RV RV 19 16 16 RV RV RV 20 T RV RV RV Game summaries Stanford November 2022 At Texas Tech The Wildcats (ranked 20th) visited Texas Tech for their first road game of the season after winning against Stanford to start the year. The Red Raiders were fired up in front of their home crowd and outplayed Arizona with a rushing attack for the upset victory.Texas Tech's ground game too much for UA The Arizona Republic September 10, 1989 Oklahoma Arizona battled sixth-ranked Oklahoma in a home showdown. The game was mostly dominated by the defenses of both teams and led to the Wildcats and Sooners each scoring a single field goal. Late in the fourth quarter, Arizona drove into Sooner territory, and drilled a field goal in the closing seconds for a 6–3 upset victory and avenging the Wildcats’ loss to the Sooners in the previous season.Arizona stuns No. 6 Sooners Arizona Daily Star September 17, 1989 This remains the most recent meeting to date between Arizona and Oklahoma. Washington Riding high on their momentum after upsetting Oklahoma, the Wildcats faced off against Washington (ranked 11th). For the second game in a row, Arizona took its opponent down to the finish. They held the Huskies in check throughout most of the contest and scored a field goal as time expired to get the win.Wildcats edge Washington on last-second kick for second consecutive year Arizona Daily Wildcat September 25, 1989 It was the Wildcats’ second consecutive win over Washington that ended on a winning kick and their first win over the Huskies at home. Also, it was the second consecutive week that Arizona won against a ranked opponent with a last-second field goal. At Oregon November 2022 UCLA After losing at Oregon, Arizona hosted UCLA (ranked 22nd). The Wildcats’ offense was too much for the Bruins, and Tomey picked up his first victory over them.Wildcats rout UCLA Arizona Daily Star October 15, 1989 At Washington State The Wildcats traveled to Pullman for a top-25 showdown against 15th-ranked Washington State. Arizona did enough to narrowly defeat the Cougars.Wildcats edge No. 15 Washington State Tucson Citizen October 22, 1989 Pacific November 2022 At California Arizona traveled to Berkeley to visit California and paid their respects in the wake of the earthquake disaster that rocked the Bay Area and the nation three weeks prior.Wildcats prepare to visit Cal, pay tribute to quake victims Arizona Daily Star November 1, 1989 An emotional Golden Bears team would rally from behind and barely got past the 15th-ranked Wildcats.Cal comes back to drop No. 15 Wildcats Arizona Daily Wildcat November 6, 1989 The loss ended all chances of contention for a potential Rose Bowl berth for Arizona. USC On homecoming day, the Wildcats hosted ninth-ranked USC and former Arizona coach Larry Smith. Arizona was no match for the Trojans’ big talent and only managed one field goal against them in a loss and Tomey was outcoached by Smith yet again.No. 9 USC takes down Arizona, seals Pac-10 title Los Angeles Times November 12, 1989 USC clinched the Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth with the win and prevented Arizona from getting a perfect home record.Trojans wrap up Rose Bowl berth; UA lacked big play, not big heart Arizona Daily Star November 12, 1989 At Arizona State Arizona-Arizona State football rivalry To conclude the regular season, Arizona took a trip to Arizona State for the rivalry game. In an attempt to change their fortunes against the Wildcats, the Sun Devils wore gold jerseys in the game, making their uniforms all gold.ASU to go all gold vs. UA The Arizona Republic November 23, 1989 However, in the game, ASU's uniform change didn't help any matters, as the Wildcats overcame an early deficit and dominated the second half on their way to yet another win to extend their dominance over ASU.The Wildcats continue their dominance Arizona Daily Star November 26, 1989Wildcats good as gold, again The Arizona Republic November 26, 1989 Wildcat players reacted to Arizona State's gold uniforms by calling them “bananas”.ASU uniforms looked like 'bananas' in Wildcats' win Arizona Daily Wildcat November 27, 1989 After the game, perhaps due to the loss, ASU decided that they would likely never wear the gold jerseys again for the foreseeable future, although they would wear them one last time in 1990 in a loss to USC.ASU football considering retirement of gold jerseys after loss to USC The State Press October 30, 1990 In 2021, ASU would bring back the gold jerseys in a home win over Colorado and would completely wear all-gold against USC later that year.ASU unveils gold jerseys for home game against Colorado The Arizona Republic September 22, 2021Gold rush: ASU to don all-gold vs. USC The Arizona Republic November 3, 2021 Copper Bowl (vs NC State) 1989 Copper Bowl 1989 NC State Wolfpack football team The Wildcats played in their first bowl game under Tomey. In the inaugural Copper Bowl that was held at their home stadium, Arizona faced NC State.Home Bowl: Wildcats to play first Copper Bowl game at Arizona Stadium Arizona Daily Wildcat December 13, 1989 In front of a raucous crowd that mostly Arizona fans, the Wildcats narrowly got past the Wolfpack in a low-scoring affair.Wildcats win Copper Bowl, 17–10 Arizona Daily Star January 1, 1990Wildcats edge NC State in inaugural Copper Bowl on home field Tucson Citizen January 1, 1990 The game was played on New Year's Eve and on the final day of the 1980s before turning to the 1990s. Also, the Copper Bowl was Arizona's first bowl win in the Tomey era. Personnel 1989 Arizona Wildcats y Michael Bates RB y Michael Bates (American football) Stuart Betty QB John Brandom OL David Eldridge RB John Fina OL y Nick Fineanganofo OL Art Greathouse RB Richard Griffith TE Mario Hampton RB Kyle Jan WR KR Kip Lewis WR George Malauulu QB Reggie McGill RB Olatide Ogunfidtimi WR Glenn Parker OL y Errol Sapp RB Melvin Smith RB Mike Streidnig RB Paul Tofflemire OL Ronald Veal QB Zeno Alexander LB Todd Burden DB Darren Case LB Reggie Gaddis DL Scott Geyer DB Ken Hakes DL Jeff Hammerschmidt DB Richard Holt DB Reggie Johnson DL Darryl Lewis DB Arnulf Mobley LB Donnie Salum LB Chris Singleton LB y Chris Singleton (American football) Anthony Smith DL Chris Wright DB Gary Coston K John Nies P Doug Pfaff K Dick Tomey Team players drafted into the NFL 2 Arizona Wildcats Player Position Round Pick NFL club Chris SingletonLinebacker 18 New England Patriots Anthony Smith Defensive end111 Los Angeles Raiders Glenn Parker Tackle3 69 Buffalo Bills John Nies Punter6154 Buffalo Bills Donnie Salum Linebacker 10 250 Atlanta Falcons1990 NFL Draft Listing https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/draft.htm 2021-12-10 Pro-Football-Reference.com en Season notes The Wildcats completed the decade of the 1980s with a resurgence and built a winning success under Tomey and Smith, and continued into the 1990s with more domination. Arizona won four games against ranked opponents this season (the team went winless against them in 1988). After this season, Arizona did not play Texas Tech again until 2019. This was the last season in which Arizona scheduled Oklahoma. Although the Wildcats were successful for most of the 1990s, the Sooners would become a powerhouse team at the turn of the century, and by scheduling future games against each other, Arizona believed they would never defeat Oklahoma again.Wildcats can't afford to schedule tough non-conference football opponents due to high costs and fears over losing big Tucson Citizen May 18, 2004 This was the last season in which the team had a large red “A” on their helmets. The “A” (which was known as the original “Block ‘A’”) would be replaced by a newer “A” in the following season, as the school wanted to energize its image to represent its academics and sports teams.UA hopes new logo will convey image of more than just athletic prowess Arizona Daily Star February 15, 1989 Arizona Stadium changed its midfield logo again. It featured the current “Block ‘A’” logo with the words “Bear Down” below it in blue letters. The “Block ‘A’” (also known as the “Big ‘A’” or the “Academic ‘A’”) debuted earlier in the year and was used in tandem with the red “A” logo that used on the helmets and on top of Arizona Stadium scoreboard. In 1990, the “Block ‘A’” logo would become the university's full-time logo and appeared on the team's helmets.UA has new logo on Arizona Stadium midfield Tucson Citizen September 1, 1989 The older logo would continue to be used on the scoreboard until end of the 1992 season. The Copper Bowl was the first of only two bowl games that the Wildcats played on their home turf, with the other occurring in 1997. In addition, due to bowl games being neutral-site games, the Copper Bowl was considered a neutral game for Arizona instead of a home game, even though it was played at Arizona Stadium.Copper Bowl will not be considered a home game for Wildcats Arizona Daily Star December 30, 1989 For the first time since 1985, an Arizona player did not win the Pac-10 defensive player of the year award, ending a streak of three seasons. This was the last season in which Arizona's helmets featured the “Red ‘A’” on them, as they switched to helmets with the “Block ‘A’” on them in 1990. The “Red ‘A’” would continue to be used on top of the scoreboard through the 1992 season. References Arizona Category:Arizona Wildcats football seasons Category:Guaranteed Rate Bowl champion seasons Arizona Wildcats football