Peete

USC quarterback Rodney Peete during a game against Arizona in 1986 at Arizona Stadium.

Most UA fans know the Peete story: He was probably the state’s top high school athlete at Sahuaro from 1981-84, helping the Cougars to state basketball and baseball titles, and becoming the state’s most coveted quarterback recruit. But he transferred to a Kansas City suburb for his senior year, 1984-85, and chose to play at USC, where ex-UA coach Larry Smith was in his first season as head coach. Peete was 3-0 against Arizona, effectively knocking the Wildcats from the 1986 Rose Bowl race in a 20-13 win in Tucson, completing two touchdown passes. In all, Peete beat three UA teams that were a combined 13-4-2 on game day. Peete was a key player in two Rose Bowls at USC. Arizona? None. 


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