Arizona Wildcats Football Tickets

Arizona joined the Pac 10 in 1978 and is the only team in the conference that has not been to the Rose Bowl. The Cats were ranked #3 in the 1999 preseasqn polls but have gone just 28-52 overall the last 7 years including a surprising 5-23 record at home in Pac 10 play. The last two years of John Mackovic's reign were tumultuous and he was fired in the 5th game of the 2003 season. Arizona finished 2-10 and were putgained in conf play by 144.1 ypg. The fan base was quickly behind the energetic Mike Stoops and attendance surged by almost 8,000 per game. They had 14 returning starters including 9 on offense in 2004 but learning new systems were #116 in scoring offense (14.9 ppg). The defense did make major strides allowing 10.8 ppg fewer than 2003. They were still outgained by 118.1 ypg in league play and only improved their record to 3-8. Last year they had 14 returning starters and while just 20 players stayed over the summer in 2003, 80 stayed in Arizona last year. Of 2002's 29 player class, only 7 were still eligible last year and Stoops' honeymoon with the fans was quickly over when the team opened 1 -6. Willie Tuitama got his first start the next week and led the upset of Oreg St on the road before hosting undefeated (#7 ranked) UCLA. UA piled up 519yards in a52-14 rout. It was the highest ranked team they had beaten since 1992 (#1 Wash). UA could not handle the favorites role or the many pats on the back it was receiving and was pounded by Washington the next week. They led Ariz St 17-5 until injuries knocked out Tuitama, RB Bell and WR Thomas. They could not hold the lead and ended the season with a 3 point loss. UA was -9 in turnovers and had 5 losses by 7 points or less, signs that bode welj for this year. The Cats ayg just 22.9 ppg in '05 but 28.8 with Tuitama as the starter and with 8 starters back will be potent. The D returns 16 players that had starts in '05 and gets some super JC transfers and will be much stronger especially vs the rush.

Arizona Wildcats Football 2006 Schedule