To celebrate "Retro Night" for Arizona's matchup with Kansas State on Friday, the UA will don helmet decals that are a blast to the past.
Arizona will wear replica decals the team wore in the 1980s — the all-red "Block A" with navy blue Wildcat paw prints on a white helmet with a navy blue face mask and red, white and blue stripe down the crown of the helmet.
Arizona switched to the current rendition of the "Block A" in 1990.
The decals Arizona is wearing this week were famously worn with former head coach Larry Smith at the helm. Before Smith left Arizona for USC, he posted a 48-28-3 record. Before Dick Tomey succeeded Smith, Arizona won the 1986 Aloha Bowl.
The paw print decals, similarly to Ohio State's buckeye leaf decals, were a sign of on-field success for a player. The more stickers on the helmet, the better the player.
In addition to its retro-looking helmet, Arizona will also its normal navy blue jerseys and white pants on Friday.
Arizona and Kansas State kick off at Arizona Stadium Friday night at 6 p.m. on Fox.
