Tucson is a city of the arts.
More than 45 murals cover the sides of buildings, with some of the most notable ones located around downtown and the UA. Look closely, and youβll even see a 75-foot tall mural of Bill Walton β yes, Bill Walton β riding a jackalope.
Tucsonβs newest mural, located on the southeast corner of Arizona Stadium just outside Gate 6, ties together Wildcats football and Latino culture. The mural includes and red and blue patterned sky β similar to the Arizona state flag β behind βAβ Mountain. At the base of the mountain is a bed of cacti planted into dark pink soil, a Wildcat climbing a saguaro β and an image of UA football legend Art Luppino. βThe Cactus Cometβ led the nation in rushing in 1954 and 1955, becoming the first player ever to win back-to-back rushing titles. His jersey number, 22, is retired by the UA.
The mural, entitled βThe Cactus Comet Rides Again,β was unveiled a few hours before Saturdayβs kickoff.
Local muralist Danny Martin, a UA graduate, painted the mural. Martin has lived in Tucson for the last 15 years and has painted over 100 temporary and permanent murals in his professional career.
His newest mural is βa symbol of 1950s Tucson and the history of the program,β he said.βItβs a representation of the UA and the Tucson community.β
Which is to say it includes a touch of what makes Southern Arizona special. Underneath Luppinoβs No. 22 jersey and one-bar helmet is a skeleton, and the Wildcat climbing the saguaro has a sugar-skull face.
βItβs a theme that runs in my artwork,β Martin said.
Now the piece of art joins a fraternity of iconic murals in Tucson.
βThis is different than a museum when you go in and look at it. You can drive by it on Sixth (Street), you walk by it when you go to games so it has a different relationship with the public,β said Andy Schulz, the UAβs vice president for the arts. Schulz attended Saturdayβs dedication.
Strength in numbers?
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) gets on the field early testing the day's swirling winds with long throws before most of his teammates are out on the turf as the Wildcats go up against Texas Tech at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Sept. 14, 2019.
Arizona's announced crowd of 37,207 was more than 3,500 less than last week's attendance of 40,471 against NAU. Attendance is likely to improve over the next two home games: the UA hosts UCLA on Sept. 28, and the Bruins are typically a good draw at Arizona Stadium. Pac-12 powerhouse Washington visits Oct. 12.
Or at least that's the UA's hope. Late Saturday night, the UA sent out an email promotion touting a "Pac-12 Two-Pack" of tickets; for as little as $28 total, fans can attend the UCLA and Washington games — or sub one of them out for the Nov. 23 game against Utah. Visit ArizonaWildcats.com for more.
White-out
The Arizona Wildcats exit the stadium following their win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a game at Arizona Stadium Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.
The UA held a white-out on Saturday night, and the Wildcats dressed the part. The UA wore white helmets against Texas Tech, who wore their traditional black lids with white jerseys and pants. Arizonaβs look β a white helmet, navy jersey and white pants β was their version of traditional. The UA wore the combination for decades until 2004, when Mike Stoops ushered in navy helmets.
Of course, not all white helmets are created the same. The UA has worn five different white helmet/facemask combinations in recent years, ranging from a white-logo-on-white-helmet look worn in 2014 to the USS Arizona-inspired white helmet with a red-βAβ logo worn as recently as Aug. 24.
Recruits in the house
Centennial's Dyelan Miller (14) gets well behind the defense of Cienega's Josiah Ware (9), left, and Charles "Sonny" Hamm (81) to haul in a touchdown catch in the first quarter of their game at Cienega High School, Vail, Sept. 13, 2019.
Several UA recruits attended Saturdayβs game, including Peoria Centennial wide receiver Dyelan Miller. Miller, who has verbally committed to the UA, spent Friday night beating Cienega in Vail. Arizona also hosted Louisiana linebacker Jabar Triplett, a three-star recruit, for an official visit. He is also considering Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Louisiana Tech. UA commit Alphonse Oywak, a cornerback from Kent, Washington, was also in attendance.
Sparky, the Wildcat
Fans pose with Wilbur T. Wildcat before the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
During the television broadcast, ESPN showed Arizona mascot Wilbur T. Wildcat crowd-surfing in the Zona Zoo. One of the ESPN commentators referred to Wilbur as Sparky β¦ Arizona Stateβs mascot.
Two big numbers
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) makes a run with the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Dadrion Taylor (25) tries to guard during a game at Arizona Stadium Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. The Wildcats won the game with a final of 28-14.
84
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate exploded for an 84-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 13-7 lead. The run was the longest of Tateβs college career, edging out the 82-yard run he made against Washington State in 2017.
2,000
Tateβs 84-yard run put him over 2,000 career rushing yards, most all-time among UA quarterbacks.
Whatβs in a name?
Texas Tech mascot raider red during an NCAA football game. Saturday, November 5, 2016.
How did Texas Tech earn the nickname Red Raiders?
Like with Arizona, sportswriters were the reason.
From 1925-36, TTU was known as the Matadors, which is why the school chose red and black as the school colors. After Texas Tech wore red uniforms during a game against New Mexico State in 1932, Lubbock-Avalanche columnist Collier Parris referred to the team as the βRed Raiders from Texas Tech,β which stuck with the team and fans. Four years later, Texas Tech changed its mascot to the Red Raiders and hasn't looked back.
