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Arizona Football: Ranking the Top Five upsets in Arizona Stadium

By Jake Faigus

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats runs with the football against defensive back Robert Taylor #2 of the Washington State Cougars at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats runs with the football against defensive back Robert Taylor #2 of the Washington State Cougars at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Matt Scott #10 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium on November 23, 2012 in Tucson, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 41-34. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Matt Scott #10 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium on November 23, 2012 in Tucson, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 41-34. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – Arizona Football gets the upset over No.10 USC on a hot, Tucson day

Who: Arizona vs No. 10 USC
When: October 27, 2012
Where: Tucson, AZ (Arizona Stadium)

With the rare defeats of USC, this one has to be featured on our list!

The Trojans came into the game at 6-1, and ranked No. 10 in the country. Adversely, Arizona was 4-3 on the season in former head coach Rich Rodriguez’s first season in Tucson!

This game was full of offensive fireworks, with 1,206 yards of total offense combined. Arizona opened with a quick 10-0 lead with a short touchdown pass from Arizona quarterback, Matt Scott, and a field goal from then kicker, John Bonano, in the first quarter.

However, led by then quarterback, Matt Barkley, the Trojans responded with two touchdown passes in the second quarter making it 14-10, in favor of USC. Arizona responded with a another field goal, but USC scored another touchdown just before halftime making it 21-13 at the break.

Barkley threw another touchdown after halftime to make the score 28-13, before Scott and Arizona responded in epic fashion.

First it was a running touchdown by Scott, followed by a passing touchdown with a failed two-point conversion to make it 28-26.

The fourth quarter comeback would start when Ka’Deem Carey would punch one in from seven-yards out to give Arizona the lead. Another touchdown pass from Scott would make it 39-28 virtually putting this game out of reach for good!

A USC touchdown and successful two-point conversion made the game 39-36, before the Trojans would have another chance at throwing a desperation Hail Mary. Luckily, the pass was batted down, and it iced the game for the Arizona, securing the 39-36 upset.

Marquise Lee would have a big day for the Trojans, catching 16 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns, but luckily it was Arizona quarterback Matt Scott who stole the show with 469 yards and four touchdowns total to help deliver the win.

Never mind how the Trojans finished that year, the win was significant, since this was only the eighth time in Arizona Football history where the Wildcats were able beat the Trojans. SC a game against the USC Football Trojans in school history.

In Rodriguez’s first season with the Wildcats, Arizona the year with a wild win against Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl to finish 8-5 overall.

Unfortunately for USC, this loss put them into a downward spiral, where they would lose four of their next five games, finishing the year 7-6, with a loss to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

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