Although Utah holds a 16-13-2 edge over Arizona in the all-time series between the two schools, it's been a long time since the Utes have beaten the Wildcats.
Twenty-two years to be exact.Longtime Ute fans will never forget that victory either. It was perhaps the greatest comeback in Ute football history.
Utah was trailing in the late-season 1972 contest at Rice Stadium 27-0 when the fourth quarter started. But led by quarterback Don Van Galder, the Utes rallied for four final-quarter touchdowns to win 28-27.
While a lot of Ute fans say they remember witnessing that contest, don't believe all of them. Many of the discouraged fans left after the third quarter and missed the amazing comeback.
TOP 10: They say coaches never look at the rankings, but both Ron McBride and Dick Tomey are keeping their eyes on the rankings during bowl season.
Both coaches said Monday that the winner of tonight's game should earn a spot in the final Top 10 rankings of the season.
"With Kansas State (which was ranked 11th, ahead of both Utah and Arizona in the polls) losing, the winner of the game will assuredly be in the Top 10," said Tomey.
"I firmly believe that the winner of this game will be in the Top 10," said McBride. "That would be huge. It would be new ground for us. That would be unbelievable."
The coaches are probably talking about the coaches poll which has them 12th (Utah) and 13th (Arizona). And the two coaches may be assuming that Colorado State, ranked No. 10 in both polls, is going to lose to Michigan in the Holiday Bowl.
UNHAPPY TO BE HERE: Mike McCoy is one person who isn't giving the company line about being happy to be in Anaheim.
Speaking of not winning the WAC championship and missing out on the Holiday Bowl berth, McCoy didn't mince words.
"It was a big letdown because our No. 1 goal was to leave as WAC champions. I haven't been happy at all and never will be happy. We could finish 10-2 and ranked in the top 10 and I'll still be disappointed."
ANOTHER LUTHER: The Utes will be sad to lose Luther Elliss leave after this year. The all-American defensive tackle has been a mainstay on the Ute defensive line for four years and Ron McBride has called him the best defensive lineman he's coached in 25 years.
But the Utes may have another Elliss in the near future.
Ben Elliss, Luther's younger brother, played this year at Dixie Junior College, where he earned second-team all-American honors. The 5-11 205-pound linebacker has another year to go at Dixie but could join the Utes next year or the year after if the Utes want him. But is he good enough to play for Utah?
"I may be biased but I think so," said Elliss. "He's tough and he plays a lot like me."
BOWL NOTES: Give the local media some credit for not ignoring the Freedom Bowl game. The Orange County Register has had stories about Utah or Arizona in every day for the past week. The L.A. Times Orange County edition has also featured stories on the game . . . The Utes held a pep rally at the Marriott Hotel Monday evening with the band and cheerleaders and later President Arthur Smith hosted a $50 per person Gala Dinner . . . The Alumni Association was planning to host a tailgate party three hours prior to kickoff.