2001 Arizona Wildcats football team

After Arizona completed the 2000 season, Tomey resigned as coach due to the inability to get the Wildcats to complete their goal of reaching the Rose Bowl.{{Cite news|title=How missed chances at Rose Bowl led to Tomey stepping down|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=December 1, 2000}} Arizona had started the season at 5–1, only to lose their remaining games, including the finale against Arizona State, which led to Tomey resigning, despite several rumors that he would be fired.

Mackovic, the former Illinois and Texas coach, was hired to replace Tomey to rebuild the program.{{Cite news|title=UA chooses Mackovic as head football coach|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 5, 2000}} After being introduced, Mackovic promised that the team would be rebuilt with strong recruiting classes and he would lead them to a Rose Bowl, in which Tomey was unable to do.{{Cite news|title=Mackovic vows to take Cats to Rose Bowl as coach|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 5, 2000}} He previously served as Arizona's offensive coordinator under Jim Young from 1973 to 1976.

In addition, Mackovic would also bring in a new coaching staff, as well as bringing back Larry Mac Duff as defensive coordinator (Mac Duff was formerly part of Tomey's staff in the same position and helped build Arizona's “Desert Swarm” defense in the early 1990s).{{Cite news|title=Mac Duff happy to be back as Wildcats’ DC under new coach Mackovic|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=February 5, 2001}} Mac Duff served as the special teams for the NFL's New York Giants, who had reached the Super Bowl in the 2000–01 season (the Giants ultimately lost to the Ravens in the Super Bowl) before returning to Arizona in the offseason.

By the preseason, Arizona was picked to finish in the middle of the Pac-10 standings, though Mackovic was confident that the team would improve despite having a new quarterback.{{Cite news|title=Mackovic hopes for more wins as season approaches|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=August 18, 2001}}

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 2001

| poll = AP

| timezone = Mountain

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = August 30

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = San Diego State

| site_stadium = Qualcomm Stadium

| site_cityst = San Diego, CA

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 23–10

| attend = 29,386

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 8

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Idaho

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSNAZ

| score = 36–29

| attend = 44,250

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 22

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = UNLV

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = KWBA

| score = 38–21

| attend = 47,031

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 29

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Washington State

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = KWBA

| score = 21–48

| attend = 42,729

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 6

| time = 7:15 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Oregon

| opprank = 7

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 28–63

| attend = 45,258

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 13

| time = 7:15 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Oregon State

| site_stadium = Reser Stadium

| site_cityst = Corvallis, OR

| tv = FSN

| score = 3–38

| attend = 36,619

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 20

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Washington

| opprank = 15

| site_stadium = Husky Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| tv = FSN

| score = 28–31

| attend = 71,108

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 27

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = USC

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 34–41

| attend = 46,399

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 3

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = California

| site_stadium = California Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Berkeley, CA

| tv = FSN

| score = 38–24

| attend = 26,222

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 10

| time = 5:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| homecoming = y

| opponent = Stanford

| opprank = 16

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = ABC

| score = 37–51

| attend = 40,632

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 23

| time = 1:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Arizona State

| gamename = Territorial Cup

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 34–21

| attend = 55,831

}}

}}

{{American football roster/Header

| year = 2001

| team = Arizona Wildcats

| teamcolors = f

| offensive_players =

{{American football roster/Player|num=1|class=Jr|first=Bobby|last=Wade|pos=WR|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=So|first=Andrae|last=Thurman|pos=WR|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=Jr|first=Larry|last=Croom|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=6|class=Sr|first=Brandon|last=Marshall|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=So|first=Gary|last=Love|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=Jr|first=Jason|last=Johnson|dab=Jason Johnson (quarterback)|pos=QB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=Fr|first=Nic|last=Costa|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=Fr|first=John|last=Rattay|pos=QB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=Sr|first=Peter|last=Hansen|dab=Peter Hansen (American football)|pos=TE|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=So|first=Cliff|last=Watkins|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=18|class=So|first=Lance|last=Relford|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=Jr|first=Leo|last=Mills|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Fr|first=Tremaine|last=Cox|pos=RB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=23|class=Fr|first=Gainus|last=Scott|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=Sr|first=Malosi|last=Leonard|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=26|class=Fr|first=Mike|last=Bell|dab=Mike Bell (running back)|pos=RB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=So|first=Clarence|last=Farmer|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=Fr|first=Chris|last=Harris|pos=RB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=35|class=Fr|first=Sean|last=Jones|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=36|class=So|first=Anthony|last=Fulcher|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Sr|first=Nick|last=Fleury|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=40|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Detwiler|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=45|class=Fr|first=Antoine|last=Singfield|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=47|class=Sr|first=Hadley|last=Kilgore|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=59|class=Fr|first=Chris|last=Johnson|pos=OL|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=60|class=Fr|first=Thomas|last=Stevens|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=63|class=Fr|first=Matt|last=Page|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=65|class=Jr|first=John|last=Vorsheck|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=66|class=Sr|first=Steven|last=Grace|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=67|class=Fr|first=Keoki|last=Fraser|pos=OL|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=68|class=So|first=Brandon|last=Phillips|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=69|class=Sr|first=Dusty|last=Alexander|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=72|class=Sr|first=Kevin|last=Barry|dab=Kevin Barry (American football)|pos=OL|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=75|class=So|first=Reggie|last=Sampay|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=77|class=Jr|first=Makoa|last=Freitas|pos=OL|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=Jr|first=Darren|last=Safranek|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=79|class=Fr|first=Brandon|last=Hopkins|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=81|class=Fr|first=Robert|last=Spells|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=82|class=Jr|first=Burke|last=Eiteljorg|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=Jr|first=Michael|last=Hairgrove|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=84|class=Fr|first=Ricky|last=Williams|pos=WR|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=Fr|first=Tyrone|last=Brown|pos=TE|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=Jr|first=Jeff|last=Wilk|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=87|class=Fr|first=Steve|last=Fleming|pos=TE|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=So|first=Justin|last=Levasseur|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=89|class=Jr|first=James|last=Hugo|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Jr|first=Aaron|last=Higginbotham|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=91|class=Fr|first=Brad|last=Brittain|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=93|class=Fr|first=Carlos|last=Williams|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=So|first=Rudy|last=Montijo|pos=WR}}

| defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=2|class=So|first=David|last=Hinton|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=7|class=Jr|first=Ray|last=Wells|pos=DL|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=8|class=So|first=Michael|last=Jolivette|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=Sr|first=Johnny|last=Jackson|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=Jr|first=David|last=Laudermilk|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=Sr|first=Anthony|last=Banks|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=Sr|first=Brandon|last=Nash|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=23|class=Sr|first=Jermaine|last=Chatman|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=Sr|first=Zaharius|last=Johnson|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=27|class=Jr|first=Lance|last=Briggs|pos=LB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=So|first=Danny|last=Perry|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=Fr|first=Tony|last=Wingate|pos=DB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=Fr|first=Justin|last=Jochum|pos=DB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=33|class=So|first=Clay|last=Hardt|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Jr|first=Johnny|last=Bailey|pos=DB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=38|class=Sr|first=Shelton|last=Ross|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=39|class=Fr|first=Darrell|last=Brooks|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=41|class=Jr|first=Scott|last=McKee|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=42|class=So|first=Joe|last=Siofele|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Fr|first=Kirk|last=Johnson|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=44|class=Fr|first=Patrick|last=Howard|pos=LB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=46|class=Fr|first=Bret|last=Stray|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=47|class=Jr|first=Jarvie|last=Worcester|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=48|class=Fr|first=Landon|last=Kafentzis|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=49|class=So|first=Matt|last=Molina|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=50|class=Fr|first=Ben|last=DalMolin|pos=LB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=51|class=Sr|first=Austin|last=Ulu|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=52|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=LaCoss|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=53|class=Fr|first=Pedro|last=Limon|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=54|class=Sr|first=Alex|last=Luna|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=Sr|first=Keoni|last=Fraser|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=57|class=So|first=Justin|last=Stewart|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=58|class=Sr|first=Anthony|last=Thomas|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=61|class=Jr|first=Robert|last=Ramsey|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=91|class=Sr|first=Eli|last=Wnek|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=92|class=Jr|first=Aaron|last=Huisman|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=93|class=Jr|first=Young|last=Thompson|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=Fr|first=Andy|last=Nuessle|pos=LB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=95|class=Jr|first=Ben|last=Alualu|pos=DL|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=96|class=Fr|first=Matt|last=Lam|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=97|class=Fr|first=Isaac|last=Watts|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=98|class=Fr|first=Fata|last=Avegalio|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=99|class=Fr|first=Vince|last=Feula|pos=DL}}

| special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=Jr|first=Sean|last=Keel|pos=K}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=4|class=Sr|first=Chris|last=Palic|pos=P}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=So|first=Ramey|last=Peru|pos=P}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=28|class=So|first=Bobby|last=Gill|pos=K}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=Fr|first=Ryan|last=Slack|pos=K}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer

| head_coach = *John Mackovic

| asst_coach = *Rick Dykes – Offensive coordinator

• Larry Mac Duff – Defensive coordinator

| accessdate=

}}

{{See also|2001 San Diego State Aztecs football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white;text-align:center

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (0–0) at San Diego State Aztecs (0–0) – Game summary

|date=August 30, 2001

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=0|R2=16|R3=7|R4=0

|home=Aztecs

|H1=10|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium • San Diego, CA

|attendance=29,386

|weather=Clear, mild, {{convert|67|°F|°C}}

|referee=Ken Flaherty

|TV=ESPN2

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (6:21) SDSU – Tommy Kivroski 23-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 44 yards, 6:31; San Diego State 7–0)
• (3:04) SDSU – Larry Ned 1-yard run, Tommy Kivroski kick (Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:05; San Diego State 10–0)

;Second quarter

• (12:32) ARIZ – Team safety (San Diego State 10–2)
• (9:12) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 12-yard run, two-point pass failed (Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:20; San Diego State 10–8)
• (2:56) ARIZ – Brandon Nash 57-yard fumble return, Jason Johnson two-point pass to Andrae Thurman (Arizona 16–10)

;Third quarter

• (6:37) ARIZ – Brandon Marshall 4-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:11; Arizona 23–10)

;Fourth quarter

• No scoring plays

}}

{{-}}

In Mackovic's debut as Arizona coach, the Wildcats opened the season with a matchup against San Diego State. It was Arizona's first visit to San Diego since they won the Holiday Bowl in 1998. Arizona's offense started slow, but would pick up momentum to get points and the defense shut down the Aztecs to give Mackovic his first win and end the Wildcats’ five-game losing streak (that dated back to the previous year that led to Tomey stepping down).{{Cite news|title=Cats open with win; UA takes care of San Diego State in Mackovic debut|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=August 31, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 Idaho Vandals football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white ;text-align:center

|state=autocollapse

|title=Idaho Vandals (0–1) vs Arizona Wildcats (1–0) – Game summary

|date=September 8, 2001

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Vandals

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=29

|home=Wildcats

|H1=3|H2=12|H3=7|H4=14

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=44,250

|weather=Clear, {{convert|89|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Sprenger

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (12:21) ARIZ – Sean Keel 44-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 2:39; Arizona 3–0)

;Second quarter

• (13:15) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 7-yard run, kick failed (Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 1:34; Arizona 9–0)
• (2:05) ARIZ – Brandon Marshall 99-yard pass from Jason Johnson, kick failed (Drive: 1 play, 99 yards, 0:12; Arizona 15–0)

;Third quarter

• (7:50) ARIZ – Andrae Thurman 19-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 2:57; Arizona 22–0)

;Fourth quarter

• (14:57) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 1-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:02; Arizona 29–0)
• (12:33) IDA – Rossi Martin 8-yard pass from John Welsh, Keith Stamps kick (Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:24; Arizona 29–7)
• (11:21) ARIZ – Leo Mills 22-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:12; Arizona 36–7)
• (8:07) IDA – Chris Lacy 20-yard pass from John Welsh, Keith Stamps kick (Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:14; Arizona 36–14)
• (3:21) IDA – Ethan Jones 25-yard pass from John Welsh, John Welsh two-point pass to Kevin O'Connell (Drive: 2 plays, 70 yards, 0:33; Arizona 36–22)
• (0:52) IDA – Rossi Martin 6-yard pass from John Welsh, Keith Stamps kick (Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 1:46; Arizona 36–29)

}}

{{-}}

In their home opener, Arizona hosted Idaho. The Wildcats’ offense would dominate, though they would miss a pair of extra points after touchdowns. Mac Duff's defense was “Desert Swarm”-like early, by shutting out the Vandals in the first three quarters. In the fourth, Idaho would mount a furious rally, as Arizona's defense was playing garbage time, but would fall short as the Wildcats held on and Mackovic won his first home game.{{Cite news|title=Wildcats survive late Idaho rally, give Mackovic first home victory as coach|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=September 9, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 UNLV Rebels football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white ;text-align:center

|state=autocollapse

|title=UNLV Rebels (0–2) vs Arizona Wildcats (2–0) – Game summary

|date=September 22, 2001

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Rebels

|R1=7|R2=0|R3=0|R4=14

|home=Wildcats

|H1=14|H2=10|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=50,623

|weather=Clear, {{convert|91|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Fogltance

|TV=KWBA

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (10:30) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 14-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:30; Arizona 7–0)
• (8:03) UNLV – Ahmad Briggs 30-yard fumble return, Dillon Pieffer kick (Tied 7–7)
• (0:08) ARIZ – James Hugo 12-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 2:56; Arizona 14–7)

;Second quarter

• (8:40) ARIZ – Sean Keel 20-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:57; Arizona 17–7)
• (3:16) ARIZ – Tremaine Cox 80-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:15; Arizona 24–7)

;Third quarter

• (0:27) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 15-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:25; Arizona 31–7)

;Fourth quarter

• (13:14) UNLV – Joe Haro 7-yard run, Dillon Pieffer kick (Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:13; Arizona 31–14)
• (11:25) ARIZ – Michael Jolivette 40-yard fumble return, Sean Keel kick (Arizona 38–14)
• (1:05) UNLV – Bobby Nero 15-yard pass from Kurt Nantkes, Dillon Pieffer kick (Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:31; Arizona 38–21)

}}

{{-}}

The Wildcats hosted UNLV in their next game. It was the first meeting between the two schools. The game was originally going to be played on September 15, but was postponed a week later along with all other college football games in the wake of the September 11 tragedy.{{Cite news|title=UA-UNLV game postponed to September 22 due to 9/11 attacks|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=September 14, 2001}}

On the day of the game, Arizona Stadium had heavy security measures due to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, as fans entered the stadium. During the pregame, fans held American flags and the stadium observed a moment of silence for the 9/11 victims and the Arizona marching band played the national anthem before kickoff. At halftime, the band, along with UNLV's, performed “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” as a symbol of pride.{{Cite news|title=UA to honor 9/11 victims and nation before game against UNLV|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=September 20, 2001}}

In the game itself, the Wildcats would outplay the Rebels and Arizona's passing offense dominated on its way to a win and went to 3–0 under Mackovic before entering Pac-10 play.{{Cite news|title=Arizona tops UNLV on emotional night|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=September 23, 2001}}{{Cite news|title=No dice for Vegas|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=September 23, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 Washington State Cougars football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white ;text-align:center

|state=autocollapse

|title=Washington State Cougars (3–0) vs Arizona Wildcats (3–0) – Game summary

|date=September 29, 2001

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Cougars

|R1=28|R2=7|R3=3|R4=10

|home=Wildcats

|H1=14|H2=7|H3=0|H4=0

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=42,729

|weather=Partly Cloudy, {{convert|90|F|C}}

|referee=Jay Stricherz

|TV=KWBA

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (13:50) WSU – Lamont Thompson 36-yard interception return, Drew Dunning kick (Washington State 7–0)
• (9:19) WSU – Dave Minnich 8-yard run, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 2:05; Washington State 14–0)
• (8:08) WSU – Dave Minnich 29-yard pass from Jason Gesser, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 1:11; Washington State 21–0)
• (6:57) WSU – Mike Bush 6-yard pass from Jason Gesser, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 0:55; Washington State 28–0)
• (4:43) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 31-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:14; Washington State 28–7)
• (3:43) ARIZ – Austin Uku 2-yard fumble return, Sean Keel kick (Washington State 28–14)

;Second quarter

• (9:58) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 23-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 3:45; Washington State 28–21)
• (1:43) WSU – Dave Minnich 6-yard run, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 18 plays, 87 yards, 8:15; Washington State 35–21)

;Third quarter

• (10:32) WSU – Drew Dunning 24-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 4:28; Washington State 38–21)

;Fourth quarter

• (5:49) WSU – Dave Minnich 2-yard run, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 5:26; Washington State 45–21)
• (1:55) WSU – Drew Dunning 49-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 3:02; Washington State 48–21)

}}

{{-}}

{{See also|2001 Oregon Ducks football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white ;text-align:center

|state=autocollapse

|title=No. 7 Oregon Ducks (4–0) vs Arizona Wildcats (3–1) – Game summary

|date=October 6, 2001

|time=7:15 P.M.

|road=No. 7 Ducks

|R1=14|R2=21|R3=21|R4=7

|home=Wildcats

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=0|H4=14

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=45,258

|weather=High clouds, {{convert|70|F|C}}

|referee=Gordon Riese

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (6:47) ORE – George Wrighster 2-yard pass from Joey Harrington, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:20; Oregon 7–0)
• (3:38) ORE – Joey Harrington 1-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:57; Oregon 14–0)
• (1:21) ARIZ – Brandon Marshall 44-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 2:17; Oregon 14–7)

;Second quarter

• (13:43) ARIZ – Anthony Fulcher 8-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 3 plays, 88 yards, 1:03; Tied 14–14)
• (11:39) ORE – Joey Harrington 2-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:04; Oregon 21–14)
• (6:09) ORE – Samie Parker 38-yard pass from Joey Harrington, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:36; Oregon 28–14)
• (1:21) ORE – Justin Peelle 17-yard pass from Joey Harrington, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:36; Oregon 35–14)

;Third quarter

• (11:19) ORE – Maurice Morris 1-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 1:36; Oregon 42–14)
• (8:32) ORE – Onterrio Smith 1-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 1:13; Oregon 49–14)
• (0:20) ORE – Joey Harrington 2-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 1:26; Oregon 56–14)

;Fourth quarter

• (12:57) ORE – Onterrio Smith 5-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:12; Oregon 63–14)
• (9:37) ARIZ – Malosi Leonard 25-yard pass from John Rattay, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:20; Oregon 63–21)
• (4:35) ARIZ – Tremaine Cox 26-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:20; Oregon 63–28)

}}

{{-}}

After losing to Washington State to begin conference play, Arizona hosted Oregon (who was ranked seventh). The Wildcats would be no match for the Ducks, as Oregon's offense put up 63 points on the scoreboard. At one point earlier in the game, the score was tied at 14 before the Ducks broke it open, and gave the Wildcats an ugly loss.{{Cite news|title=Wildcats get dominated by Oregon|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=October 7, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 Oregon State Beavers football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white;text-align:center

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–2) at Oregon State Beavers (1–3) – Game summary

|date=October 13, 2001

|time=7:15 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Beavers

|H1=14|H2=14|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium=Reser Stadium • Corvallis, OR

|attendance=36,619

|weather=Clear, {{convert|57|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Fogltance

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (3:28) OSU – James Newson 2-yard pass from Jonathan Smith, Ryan Cesca kick (Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:30; Oregon State 7–0)
• (0:56) OSU – Kenny Farley 24-yard blocked punt return, Ryan Cesca kick (Oregon State 14–0)

;Second quarter

• (10:59) OSU – Jonathan Smith 1-yard run, Ryan Cesca kick (Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 1:55; Oregon State 21–0)
• (2:13) OSU – Cole Clasen 26-yard pass from Derek Anderson, Ryan Cesca kick (Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 5:12; Oregon State 28–0)

;Third quarter

• (5:26) OSU – Ken Simonton 1-yard run, Ryan Cesca kick (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:01; Oregon State 35–0)
• (1:15) ARIZ – Sean Keel 28-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 1:54; Oregon State 35–3)

;Fourth quarter

• (12:01) OSU – Ryan Cesca 38-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 4:14; Oregon State 38–3)

}}

{{-}}

{{See also|2001 Washington Huskies football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white;text-align:center

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–3) at No. 15 Washington Huskies (2–3) – Game summary

|date=October 20, 2001

|time=3:30 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=14|R2=0|R3=7|R4=7

|home=No. 15 Huskies

|H1=21|H2=0|H3=0|H4=10

|stadium=Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA

|attendance=71,108

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|50|°F|°C}}

|referee=

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (9:18) WASH – Todd Elstrom 21-yard pass from Cody Pickett, John Anderson kick (Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 2:14; Washington 7–0)
• (5:30) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 4-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:40; Tied 7–7)
• (5:09) WASH – Paul Arnold 78-yard pass from Cody Pickett, John Anderson kick (Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:14; Washington 14–7)
• (2:51) ARIZ – Andrae Thurman 12-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 2:04; Tied 14–14)
• (1:39) WASH – Patrick Reddick 75-yard pass from Cody Pickett, John Anderson kick (Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 1:02; Washington 21–14)

;Second quarter

• No scoring plays

;Third quarter

• (12:30) ARIZ – John Rattay 15-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 1 play, 15 yards, 0:09; Tied 21–21)

;Fourth quarter

• (5:18) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 16-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 1:12; Arizona 28–21)
• (4:04) WASH – John Anderson 39-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -6 yards, 1:14; Arizona 28–24)
• (0:13) WASH – Cody Pickett 3-yard run, John Anderson kick (Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 3:11; Washington 31–28)

}}

{{-}}

Arizona traveled to Seattle to take on Washington, who was also ranked (15th). The Wildcats would battle the Huskies in a back and forth affair, and took the lead in the fourth quarter. However, Washington was able to drive into Arizona territory and scored in the final minute to give Arizona a painful loss for the second year in a row.{{Cite news|title=Cats come up short against No. 15 Huskies|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=October 21, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 USC Trojans football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white ;text-align:center

|state=autocollapse

|title=USC Trojans (2–5) vs Arizona Wildcats (3–4) – Game summary

|date=October 27, 2001

|time=3:30 P.M.

|road=Trojans

|R1=3|R2=28|R3=0|R4=10

|home=Wildcats

|H1=10|H2=3|H3=14|H4=7

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=46,399

|weather=Partly Cloudy, {{convert|93|F|C}}

|referee=Dave Cutaia

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (11:27) ARIZ – Sean Keel 24-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:18; Arizona 3–0)
• (4:34) USC – David Davis 32-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 31 yards, 2:19; Tied 3–3)
• (1:35) ARIZ – Michael Jolivette 60-yard interception return, Sean Keel kick (Arizona 10–3)

;Second quarter

• (13:35) USC – Kevin Arbet 70-yard interception return, David Davis kick (Tied 10–10)
• (11:00) USC – Alex Holmes 1-yard pass from Carson Palmer, David Davis kick (Drive: 4 plays, 12 yards, 1:41; USC 17–10)
• (5:43) USC – Sunny Byrd 1-yard run, David Davis kick (Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 4:01; USC 24–10)
• (0:32) USC – Kori Dickerson 17-yard pass from Carson Palmer, David Davis kick (Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 0:45; USC 31–10)
• (0:00) ARIZ – Sean Keel 46-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 0:32; USC 31–13)

;Third quarter

• (7:43) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 22-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:39; USC 31–20)
• (3:47) ARIZ – Brandon Marshall 24-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:00; USC 31–27)

;Fourth quarter

• (10:46) USC – David Davis 47-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 3:15; USC 34–27)
• (7:05) ARIZ – Jason Johnson 9-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:41; Tied 34–34)
• (1:50) USC – Kris Richard 58-yard interception return, David Davis kick (USC 41–34)

}}

{{-}}

The Wildcats returned home after their heartbreaking loss at Washington and faced USC (who, like Arizona, had a first-year head coach). The Trojans would dominate early, and led 31–13 at halftime before the Wildcats stormed back in the second half to tie the game at 34 in the fourth quarter. Late in the quarter, Arizona had an opportunity to take the lead. However, they would throw an interception that USC returned for a touchdown that gave the Trojans the lead back. The Wildcats would have one last chance in the closing seconds, but ended up being stopped and Arizona fell short again for their fifth straight loss, which tied the same streak that ended the previous season. It was also their tenth consecutive Pac-10 loss that also dated back to 2000.{{Cite news|title=Cats come up short again, fall to USC after late mistakes|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=October 28, 2001}}

A memorable moment occurred early in the fourth quarter, as the Arizona Stadium PA announced gave an update on the World Series score between the Diamondbacks and Yankees (the first game of the series was played on the same day of the Arizona-USC game). When it was announced that the Diamondbacks led 5-1 after three innings, the stadium crowd let out a loud cheer and the Arizona student section chanted “Let’s go, D’Backs”, as the Diamondbacks representative all of Arizona, including Tucson (the Diamondbacks would ultimately win the game and the series in seven games, much to the delight of the Arizona fans).{{Cite news|title=UA, ASU fans react to D’Backs’ Game 1 win|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=October 28, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 California Golden Bears football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white;text-align:center

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–5) at California Golden Bears (0–7) – Game summary

|date=November 3, 2001

|time=1:30 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=0|R2=28|R3=10|R4=0

|home=Golden Bears

|H1=3|H2=0|H3=0|H4=21

|stadium=California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA

|attendance=26,222

|weather=Clear, {{convert|68|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Sprenger

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (7:28) CAL – Mark Jensen 43-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 29 yards, 2:46; California 3–0)

;Second quarter

• (14:03) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 65-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 4 plays, 82 yards, 0:45; Arizona 7–3)
• (10:35) ARIZ – Justin Levasseur 3-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 1:40; Arizona 14–3)
• (4:45) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 50-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:47; Arizona 21–3)
• (0:01) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 13-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 0:57; Arizona 28–3)

;Third quarter

• (11:03) ARIZ – Sean Keel 38-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 0:58; Arizona 31–3)
• (0:52) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 16-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 3:16; Arizona 38–3)

;Fourth quarter

• (8:36) CAL – Terrell Williams 2-yard run, Mark Jensen kick (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:28; Arizona 38–10)
• (6:47) CAL – LaShaun Ward 38-yard pass from Kyle Boller, Mark Jensen kick (Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 1:03; Arizona 38–17)
• (4:52) CAL – LaShaun Ward 44-yard pass from Kyle Boller, Mark Jensen kick (Drive: 3 plays, 44 yards, 0:17; Arizona 38–24)

}}

{{-}}

Attempted to look for Mackovic's first conference win, the Wildcats traveled to Berkeley to face winless California. Arizona started off slow early but would take control later on with a solid offense and blitzing defense. The Golden Bears would make things interesting late and pulled within two scores, but would not come closer as the Wildcats finally ended their Pac-10 slump and Mackovic earned his first conference victory. The win also kept Arizona's chances alive for a bowl.{{Cite news|title=Cats take down Cal, keep bowl hopes alive|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 4, 2001}}

{{See also|2001 Stanford Cardinal football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white ;text-align:center

|state=autocollapse

|title=No. 16 Stanford Cardinal (5–2) vs Arizona Wildcats (4–5) – Game summary

|date=November 10, 2001

|time=5:00 P.M.

|road=No. 16 Cardinal

|R1=10|R2=17|R3=21|R4=3

|home=Wildcats

|H1=10|H2=3|H3=3|H4=21

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=40,632

|weather=High clouds, {{convert|84|F|C}}

|referee=Chuck McFerrin

|TV=ABC

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (11:54) STAN – Mike Biselli 29-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 3:06; Stanford 3–0)
• (8:28) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 43-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 1 play, 43 yards, 0:08; Arizona 7–3)
• (4:07) ARIZ – Sean Keel 22-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 2:29; Arizona 10–3)
• (2:02) STAN – Teyo Johnson 23-yard pass from Chris Lewis, Mike Biselli kick (Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:05; Tied 10–10)

;Second quarter

• (14:05) STAN – Luke Powell 26-yard pass from Chris Lewis, Mike Biselli kick (Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:58; Stanford 17–10)
• (7:06) STAN – Teyo Johnson 3-yard pass from Chris Lewis, Mike Biselli kick (Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:23; Stanford 24–10)
• (0:48) STAN – Mike Biselli 44-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 4:00; Stanford 27–10)
• (0:00) ARIZ – Sean Keel 52-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 0:48; Stanford 27–13)

;Third quarter

• (14:46) STAN – Tank Williams 25-yard fumble return, Mike Biselli kick (Stanford 34–13)
• (13:05) ARIZ – Sean Keel 43-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 1:41; Stanford 34–16)
• (7:32) STAN – Coy Wire 89-yard fumble return, Mike Biselli kick (Stanford 41–16)
• (3:54) STAN – Kenneth Tolon 71-yard run, Mike Biselli kick (Drive: 1 play, 71 yards, 0:17; Stanford 48–16)

;Fourth quarter

• (10:44) STAN – Mike Biselli 21-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards, 3:14; Stanford 51–16)
• (9:33) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 20-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:11; Stanford 51–23)
• (6:44) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 66-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 2 plays, 66 yards, 0:20; Stanford 51–30)
• (4:17) ARIZ – Malosi Leonard 21-yard pass from John Rattay, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 1 play, 21 yards, 0:05; Stanford 51–37)

}}

{{-}}

{{See also|2001 Arizona State Sun Devils football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Arizona Wildcats}};color:white;text-align:center

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (4–6) at Arizona State Sun Devils (4–5) – Game summary

|date=November 23, 2001

|time=1:00 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=20|R2=0|R3=14|R4=0

|home=Sun Devils

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, AZ

|attendance=55,831

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|70|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jay Stricherz

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (8:31) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 19-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 6:29; Arizona 7–0)
• (3:41) ARIZ – Jason Johnson 6-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:51; Arizona 14–0)
• (0:38) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 20-yard run, kick failed (Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 1:33; Arizona 20–0)

;Second quarter

• (12:24) ASU – Donnie O'Neal 19-yard pass from Andrew Walter, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 3:14; Arizona 20–7)

;Third quarter

• (13:27) ASU – Delvon Flowers 33-yard run, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 1:33; Arizona 20–14)
• (3:15) ARIZ – Malosi Leonard 10-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:07; Arizona 27–14)
• (2:20) ARIZ – Brandon Nash 13-yard interception return, Sean Keel kick (Arizona 34–14)

;Fourth quarter

• (7:39) ASU – Delvon Flowers 3-yard run, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 2:08; Arizona 34–21)

}}

{{-}}

After their loss to Stanford that ended their bowl hopes, the Wildcats went to Tempe for the annual rivalry matchup with Arizona State and treated it as their own bowl game. As the Sun Devils had a new coach, the “Duel in the Desert” had a meeting between first-year coaches for both teams.{{Cite news|title=Wildcats to take on Devils in battle of first-year coaches|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=November 20, 2001}}

This was the first year in modern history that the Territorial Cup, the rivalry trophy, would be awarded to the winner. The cup, which was originally awarded in 1899 in the first game between the teams and claimed to be college football's oldest rivalry trophy, went lost for decades before being discovered in 1980. Both Arizona and ASU agreed to have the cup be used for the football rivalry and that the winning team would possess it until the next season.{{Cite news|title=Raiders of the Lost Cup: How the Territorial Cup returned to UA-ASU football rivalry|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 21, 2001}}{{Cite news|title=Territorial Cup trophy to be awarded to winner of UA-ASU football game|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=November 22, 2001}}

In the game, the Wildcats scored first and led 20–0 at one point before ASU climbed back in it to cut the lead to 20–14. However, Arizona answered to increase their lead and seemed to break it open with a defensive touchdown. By the fourth quarter, Arizona State tried to come back, but the Wildcats’ defense would come up big to seal the game and Arizona earned their first win in the rivalry since 1998 and also captured the Territorial Cup.{{Cite news|title=How Devil-icious: Cats take down ASU to finish season|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 24, 2001}}{{Cite news|title=Cats dominate Devils; UA cruises to win Territorial Cup|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=November 24, 2001}}

After the game, a fight ensued when Arizona celebrated at midfield and ASU players ran out to start a melee with them, which added more fuel to the rivalry.{{Cite news|title=ASU brawls with UA during postgame, heating up rivalry more further|newspaper=The State Press|date=November 26, 2001}}

With the win, Arizona finished the season with a 5–6 record, matching the previous season's record (also 5–6).

• This season would be the only successful one under Mackovic, as Arizona would decline in wins for the rest of his tenure.
• Most of the offseason was overshadowed by Arizona's basketball team's success due to their Final Four run and national title game appearance in the spring, though the football team continued preparing for the season.{{Cite news|title=Despite basketball success, UA athletics still competing|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=April 20, 2001}}
• Following Arizona's transition with a new coach, the Wildcats unveiled new branding for its sports teams, including a new “Arizona” wordmark (which is still in use today), as they went in a new direction at the turn of the century and millennium. The end zones at Arizona Stadium were colored in blue with the wordmark in white. Also, the words “Bear Down” were now on the sidelines near the goal lines (with “Bear” in red and “Down” in white, all in the same letter font used in the university's logo), and two little “A”s on the 25-yard lines.{{Cite news|title=UA to have new marketing and new logos as it turns towards new image in 21st century|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=July 9, 2001}}
• Wide receiver Bobby Wade would become the de facto leader of the Arizona offense, as he would lead the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
• The win over San Diego State is the Wildcats’ last to date over them, and the two did not meet again until 2021, with the Aztecs winning in Tucson. Also, Arizona did not play both Idaho and UNLV again until 2008 and 2013, respectively.
• Following the 9/11 attacks, Arizona wore helmet stickers and patches on their uniforms for the rest of the season, commemorating the victims.
• The Wildcats did not play a Big Ten team for the first time since 1994, ending a streak of six straight seasons.
• Arizona struggled in Pac-10 play, and not winning until early November. The five-game losing streak was a result of poor play, tougher and talented opponents, and offensive mistakes.{{Cite news|title=Wildcat football hungry for Pac-10 win|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=October 31, 2001}}
• The Wildcats did not play UCLA this season.
• Arizona failed to score a touchdown against Oregon State for the second consecutive season, only mustering a field goal.
• For the game against USC, Arizona had a large “A” logo at midfield, which remains in use to this day.
• Had Arizona defeated either Washington, USC, or Stanford (they came close winning the first two), they would have been bowl-eligible.
• The Wildcats claimed the Territorial Cup for the first time this season. Since then, they would win it six more times (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, and 2016) as ASU is currently dominating the rivalry. In addition, this would be the only win over ASU under Mackovic.
• Arizona State would be the only other Pac-10 school besides California that Arizona would beat in the Mackovic era (the Wildcats would defeat the Golden Bears in 2002). Also, this would be the only season under Mackovic that the Wildcats won two or more conference games.

• Lance Briggs, LB, First-team All-Pac-10
• Clarence Farmer, RB, First-team All-Pac-10

The Wildcats attempted to improve on their 2001 record in 2002 for a chance at a bowl.{{Cite news|title=UA football looks to improve in ‘02|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=January 11, 2002}} However, they would continue to struggle against Pac-10 opponents and Mackovic would be become the center of controversy involving him and his treatment of his players, and fans called for his firing. The Wildcats would end with another losing season, which showed a sign that the Mackovic era would be over in the future.{{Cite news|title=Arizona should move on from Mackovic|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 1, 2002}}

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