In honor of this week’s upcoming game against Washington State, let’s take a look back at some of the best Homecoming games that have happened at Arizona Stadium.
10. Arizona vs. Colorado, 2014
Let’s start off simple by including the most recent Homecoming game. The Wildcats easily handled the Buffaloes last year in Tucson, winning the game 38-20. From there, the Wildcats finished out the regular season with a 10-2 record, a Pac-12 South title and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.
9. Arizona vs. Rice, 1931
This game makes the list simply because it was Arizona’s first nighttime Homecoming game. The Owls defeated the Wildcats 32-0, the largest margin of defeat Arizona has ever endured in a Homecoming game. This 32-point loss was matched only by another 32-point loss to Texas Tech in the 1950 Homecoming game.
8. Arizona vs. Nevada, Reno, 1925
Arizona recorded its first tie in a Homecoming game against the Wolf Pack. The game was a real barn burner with the final score coming out to be 0-0. The Wildcats would go on to record four more ties in their history; most recently a 21-21 tie against Washington in the 1987 Homecoming game.
7. Arizona vs. Colorado, 2012
This game marked the first year Rich Rodriguez was head coach of the Wildcats. Rodriguez started his Homecoming record with a 56-31 victory over the Buffs. He is 2-1 in Homecoming games with Arizona and both of his victories have come over Colorado. His only loss came against UCLA in 2013.
6. Arizona vs. Santa Clara, 1946
Arizona did not have Homecoming games from 1943-1945 because of World War II. The Wildcats resumed playing Homecoming games by hosting Santa Clara in 1946. The result? A 21-21 tie.
5. Arizona vs. New Mexico State, 1916
The Wildcats notched their largest point total over a university team in a Homecoming game when they destroyed New Mexico State 73-0. Arizona bested that mark this season when it defeated NAU 77-13.
4. Arizona vs. Cal Tech, 1929
Arizona football played its first game at Arizona Stadium in the 1929 Homecoming game against Cal Tech. The Wildcats came out strong with a 35-0 beatdown in the first of many victories on their home field.
3. Arizona vs. Texas Tech, 1959
Wilbur T. Wildcat made his first official appearance as the mascot for Arizona during the 1959 Homecoming game. Wilbur is a fan favorite and is seen at numerous events around campus throughout the school year. To make things even better, Arizona defeated Texas Tech 30-26.
2. Arizona vs. Washington, 1992
The Wildcats earned a huge upset over then No. 1 Washington. Behind a huge defensive effort, the Wildcats pulled out the 16-3 upset in front of a frenzied crowd at Arizona Stadium for one of the biggest upsets in UA history.
1. Arizona vs. Pomona College, 1914
Pomona who? That’s right. The No. 1 Homecoming game in Arizona history is where it all began. Arizona defeated Pomona College 7-6 in 1914 to mark the first of many Homecoming games in Tucson, Arizona. Arizona has an all-time Homecoming record of 57-35-5, and it all started with this win over Pomona College.
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