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Arizona Football: Top 5 Gut-wrenching losses, with silver linings

By Brad Malone

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez and the team wait to enter the field to start the game against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez and the team wait to enter the field to start the game against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: UCLA Does No Favors (Oct. 10, 1998)

UCLA 52
Arizona 28

Going into this matchup, Arizona had won nine straight games and UCLA had won 13 straight. The winner of this early season battle was sure to have the advantage in the coveted Rose Bowl race.

The Cats had a 28-24 lead late in the third quarter, but UCLA scored 28 unanswered points to destroy another Arizona Rose Bowl dream, but the Cats still had a chance late in the season to smell the roses.

With the new B.C.S. system, if UCLA beat Miami in their last game of the year, the undefeated Bruins would skip the Rose Bowl and would go straight to the championship game.

With Arizona being next in line in the conference with a 7-1 record, Tucson thought the Cats would be playing on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

The Hurricanes ruined Tucson’s New Year’s plans by beating the Bruins 49-45.

Silver Lining

Arizona got an invitation to play the defending national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Holiday Bowl.

A late game interception by all-world Chris McAlister all but sealed the game for the Cats late in the fourth quarter.

The Cats ended the year 12-1 and finished No. 4 in the nation; their highest ranking ever.

Next: No. 2 : Cal Makes Hurtful Comeback

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