These 30 Arizona Wildcats football covers will take you back in time

A look back to our favorite covers

On Aug. 26, the Arizona Daily Star will continue its decades-long tradition of UA football season previews. Dating back to at least the 1970s, when the Arizona Wildcats joined the Pac-10, the Star has published a special section to commemorate each football season. Cover topics have ranged from standout players to accomplished (and not-so-accomplished) coaches. Click through our collection to view our favorite section covers dating back to 1980. (Editor’s note: Many of the older covers have been scanned into the system. They’ve been, shall we say, well-read over the years. Forgive the wear and tear.)

1980: Mr. Smith goes to Tucson

Year: 1980

Theme: Mr. Smith goes to Tucson 

How Arizona fared: 5-6 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Coach Larry Smith, whose first year as the Wildcats coach came in 1980. 

1981: Wildcats' quarterback option

Year: 1981

Theme: Wildcats' quarterback option 

How Arizona fared: 6-5 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Mark Fulcher, left, and Tom Tunnicliffe, who were competing for the UA's starting quarterback job. Tunnicliffe earned the starting job, and threw for 1,420 yards and nine touchdowns. He eventually became the UA's all-time leading passer, a record that held until Willie Tuitama broke it in 2008. 

1982: Improved Wildcats running up against a tough schedule

Year: 1982

Theme: Improved Wildcats running up against a tough schedule 

How Arizona fared: 6-4-1 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Running back Vance Johnson led the Wildcats in rushing yards in 1982. He posted 111 total carries for 443 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 44.3 yards per game. 

1983: NCAA probation clouds season for Wildcats

Year: 1983

Theme: NCAA probation clouds season for Wildcats 

How Arizona fared: 7-3-1 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Arizona was placed on NCAA probation prior to the 1983 season because of cash payments to student-athletes under previous coach Tony Mason. The Wildcats were banned from bowl games for two seasons (1983, 1984) and were not allowed to play on live television for two seasons as well (1984, 1985). 

1984: John Conner or Alfred Jenkins will QB Arizona

Year: 1984

Theme: John Conner or Alfred Jenkins will QB Arizona 

How Arizona fared: 7-4 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: John Conner, left, and Alfred Jenkins, who were competing for the starting quarterback job. Jenkins earned the starting position, and went on to lead Arizona in passing yards for the 1984 season. He threw for 2,202 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

1986: Comin' at you

Year: 1986

Theme: Comin' at you 

How Arizona fared: 9-3 (Arizona defeated North Carolina 30-21 in the Aloha Bowl) 

On the cover: Wide receiver Jon Horton, who ranks in the top 10 in UA history in:

• Career pass receptions: 8th, 136 receptions

• Career receiving yards: 6th, 2,415 yards

• Career touchdown receptions: Tied for 9th, 16 TDs

• Single-game receiving yards: Tied for 5th, 217 yards on nine receptions against Utah State in 1984 

1987: Tomey's aerial attack

Year: 1987

Theme: Tomey's aerial attack 

How Arizona fared: 4-4-3 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Coach Dick Tomey, whose first year as the Wildcats coach came in 1987. The 1987 Wildcats were led by quarterback Ronald Veal, who threw for 1,239 yards and four touchdowns — numbers that were lower than 1986, when Alfred Jenkins started. 

1990: 'Back attack'

Year: 1990

Theme: 'Back attack' — Nick Fineanganofo is one of the prime movers 

How Arizona fared: 7-5 (Arizona lost to Syracuse 28-0 in the Aloha Bowl) 

On the cover: Offensive guard Nick Fineanganofo. 

1992: Can George do it?

Year: 1992

Theme: Can George do it? 

How Arizona fared: 6-5-1 (Arizona lost to Baylor 20-15 in the John Hancock Bowl) 

On the cover: Quarterback George Malauulu, who threw for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns in 1992. 

1995: Reversal of Fortunes

Year: 1995

Theme: Reversal of Fortunes: UA's rise, ASU's fall

How Arizona fared: 6-5 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Wilbur T. Wildcat eats Sparky the Sun Devil. 

1996: Topping 'Pop'

Year: 1996

Theme: Topping 'Pop'

How Arizona fared: 5-6 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Coach Dick Tomey, whose 10th season as the Wildcats coach came in 1996. The special section compared Tomey and his accomplishments to those of the legendary J.F. "Pop" McKale, a former Arizona football coach who posted a .703 winning percentage (80-32-6) during his time at the helm of the UA football program. Tomey posted a .583 winning percentage (95-64-4) during his time at the UA, which ended following the 2000 season. 

1997: 20 seasons in the Pac

Year: 1997

Theme: 20 seasons in the Pac 

How Arizona fared: 7-5 (Arizona defeated New Mexico 20-14 in the Insight.com Bowl) 

On the cover: A look back at some of the highlights and iconic players and coaches from Arizona's 20 seasons in the Pac-10. 

1998: Lethal Weapons '98

Year: 1998

Theme: Lethal Weapons '98

How Arizona fared: 12-1 (Arizona defeated Nebraska 23-20 in the Culligan Holiday Bowl) 

On the cover: The Wildcats' big guns: quarterback Ortege Jenkins, quarterback Keith Smith, receiver Dennis Northcutt, receiver Jeremy McDaniel and running back Trung Canidate. 

1999: We've got the games

Year: 1999

Theme: We've got the games: UA coach Dick Tomey and his Wildcats are plugged in for an electrifying season 

How Arizona fared: 6-6 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Coach Dick Tomey uses his players as board-game pieces. 

2001: New 'sheriff' in town

Year: 2001

Theme: New 'sheriff' in town: John Mackovic moseys back to Tucson with a platform of tough defense and high-caliber offense 

How Arizona fared: 5-6 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Coach John Mackovic, whose first year as the Wildcats coach came in 2001. 

2002: Men in Blue

Year: 2002

Theme: MIB: Men in Blue 

How Arizona fared: 4-8 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: The agents: Clarence Farmer (running back), Jason Johnson (quarterback) and Lance Briggs (linebacker). Their mission: To protect the Wildcat world from a third straight losing season. 

2003: Snap decision

Year: 2003

Theme: Snap decision: Two young QBs battle to see who's the keeper with UA opener at hand

How Arizona fared: 2-10 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Ryan O'Hara, left, and Nic Costa, who were competing for the UA's starting quarterback job. Costa eventually earned the starting position and started the first three games of the season before losing his job to Kris Heavner. Heavner threw for 1,501 yards and eight touchdowns. Costa transferred. 

2004: New face of UA football

Year: 2004

Theme: New face of UA football 

How Arizona fared: 3-8 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Coach Mike Stoops, whose first year as the Wildcats coach came in 2004. 

2008 Las Vegas Bowl: Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada

Year: 2008: Las Vegas Bowl special section 

Theme: Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada 

How Arizona fared: 8-5 (Arizona defeated BYU 31-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl) 

On the cover: The iconic "Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas" sign, because the Wildcats were headed to Vegas. 

2009: Desert image: Rock solid

Year: 2009

Theme: Desert image: Rock solid 

How Arizona fared: 8-5 (Arizona lost to Nebraska 33-0 in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl) 

On the cover: A recreation of the famous August 1994 Sports Illustrated magazine cover that featured the UA's Desert Swarm defense on it. This 2009 cover features (from left) safety Cam Nelson, defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, defensive end Brooks Reed, center Colin Baxter and tight end Rob Gronkowski. 

2010: Now or never

Year: 2010

Theme: Now or never 

How Arizona fared: 7-6 (Arizona lost to Oklahoma State 36-10 in the Valero Alamo Bowl) 

On the cover: A rose, signifying that 2010 was the year the Wildcats had the best chance of making it to the Rose Bowl. 

2011: New and improved Pac-12

Year: 2011

Theme: New and improved Pac-12: Now with Utes and Buffaloes 

How Arizona fared: 4-8 (no bowl game) 

On the cover: Wilbur T. Wildcat eating a bowl of "Pac-12 cereal" — the cereal is "new and improved" because 2011 is the year the Pac-10 expanded to the Pac-12 and added Utah and Colorado. 

2012: Rodriguez era begins

Year: 2012

Theme: Rodriguez era begins: UA's new coach promises speed, style, return to prominence 

How Arizona fared: 8-5 (Arizona defeated Nevada 49-48 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl) 

On the cover: Coach Rich Rodriguez, whose first year as the Wildcats coach came in 2012. 

2013: Ka'Deem's place

Year: 2013

Theme: Ka'Deem's place 

How Arizona fared: 8-5 (Arizona defeated Boston College 42-19 in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl) 

On the cover: Running back Ka'Deem Carey, who rushed for 1,885 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2013. 

2014: Next stop: Tucson

Year: 2014

Theme: Next stop: Tucson 

How Arizona fared: 10-4 (Arizona lost to Boise State 38-30 in the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl) 

On the cover: A transfer player coming to Arizona — the Wildcats' 2014 season hinged on a collection of transfers and second-chance players. 

2014 Pac-12 championship game: All eyes on Cats

Year: 2014: Pac-12 championship game special section 

Theme: All eyes on Cats: Solomon, UA face Oregon with Pac-12 title in sight 

How Arizona fared: Arizona lost to Oregon 51-13 in the Pac-12 championship game.

On the cover: Quarterback Anu Solomon hurdling an Oregon defender. 

2014 Fiesta Bowl: A big bash!

Year: 2014: Fiesta Bowl special section 

Theme: A big bash! Cats have chance to smash Boise St. for sweet ending 

How Arizona fared: Arizona lost to Boise State 38-30 in the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl. 

On the cover: An Arizona Wildcats piñata — because "fiesta" means party. 

2015: The big picture

Year: 2015

Theme: The big picture: Look closer — see what a UA quarterback is made of 

How Arizona fared: 7-6 (Arizona defeated New Mexico 45-37 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl) 

On the cover: Quarterback Anu Solomon made up of a mosaic of former Pac-12 quarterbacks. Solomon threw for 2,667 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2015. 

2016: Act II

Year: 2016

Theme: Act II: RichRod, Cats hope to rewrite ending 

How Arizona fared: 3-9

On the cover: UA coach Rich Rodriguez hopes that change would lead to better results and a winning season.

2017: All hands on deck

Year: 2017

Theme: All hands on deck: Dawkins, eclectic crew scramble to keep UA from sinking in Pac-12

How Arizona fared: 7-6. Coach Rich Rodriguez was fired.

On the cover: Quarterback Brandon Dawkins opened the season as Arizona's starter only to lose his job to backup Khalil Tate and eventually transfer to Indiana.