2002 Arizona Wildcats football team

Arizona completed the 2001 season in Mackovic’s first year with the program with a 5–6 record and a victory over rival Arizona State. The team would rebuild during the offseason and hoped to improve on their record for 2002. With receiver Bobby Wade and linebacker Lance Briggs returning for their final season for one last crack at a bowl game appearance, the Wildcats looked to contend for a winning season and fulfill Mackovic’s promise of reaching the Rose Bowl.{{Cite news|title=Cats hope to have football success this fall|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=July 20, 2002}}

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 2002

| poll = AP

| timezone = Mountain

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = August 31

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Northern Arizona

| opprank = 21 (I-AA)

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSNAZ

| score = 37–3

| attend = 48,446

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 14

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Utah

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSNAZ

| score = 23–17

| attend = 44,243

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 21

| time = 9:00 a.m.

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Wisconsin

| opprank = 22

| site_stadium = Camp Randall Stadium

| site_cityst = Madison, WI

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 10–31

| attend = 78,582

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 28

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = North Texas

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = KWBA

| score = 14–9

| attend = 37,917

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 5

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Oregon

| opprank = 8

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 14–31

| attend = 47,356

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 12

| time = 12:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Washington

| opprank = 22

| site_stadium = Husky Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| tv = FSN

| score = 28–32

| attend = 71,016

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 19

| time = 2:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Stanford

| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium

| site_cityst = Palo Alto, CA

| tv = FSN

| score = 6–16

| attend = 33,800

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 26

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Washington State

| opprank = 9

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 13–21

| attend = 46,462

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 2

| time = 2:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Oregon State

| site_stadium = Reser Stadium

| site_cityst = Corvallis, OR

| tv = FSN

| score = 3–38

| attend = 36,644

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 9

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| homecoming = y

| opponent = UCLA

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSNAZ

| score = 7–37

| attend = 43,613

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 16

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = California

| site_stadium = California Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Berkeley, CA

| tv = FSN

| score = 52–41

| attend = 28,808

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 29

| time = 1:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Arizona State

| gamename = Territorial Cup

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 20–34

| attend = 47,005

}}

}}

{{American football roster/Header

| year = 2002

| team = Arizona Wildcats

| teamcolors = f

| offensive_players=

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=4|class=Jr|first=Andrae|last=Thurman|pos=WR|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=Fr|first=Mike|last=Jefferson|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=7|class=Fr|first=Nic|last=Costa|pos=QB|rs=y}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=Sr|first=Gens|last=Goodman|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Fr|first=Ryan|last=O'Hara|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=Fr|first=Phil|last=Linduska|pos=QB}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Fr|first=Beau|last=Carr|pos=RB}}

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

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

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

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=36|class=Fr|first=Gilbert|last=Harris|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Sr|first=Joseph|last=Willrodt|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=39|class=Fr|first=Seth|last=Crozier|pos=RB}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=46|class=Fr|first=Matt|last=Padron|pos=TE}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=66|class=Fr|first=Kili|last=Lefotu|pos=OL}}

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=70|class=Fr|first=John|last=Parada|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=72|class=Sr|first=Tanner|last=Bell|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=73|class=Sr|first=Aaron|last=Higginbotham|pos=OL}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=76|class=Jr|first=Matt|last=Lamatsch|pos=OT}}

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=79|class=Fr|first=Keith|last=Jackson|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=81|class=Jr|first=Juan|last=Valentine|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=82|class=Fr|first=Biren|last=Ealy|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=Sr|first=Scott|last=Altick|pos=WR}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=Fr|first=Willis|last=Morrison|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=Fr|first=Mitchell|last=Willis|pos=TE}}

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

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

| defensive_players=

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=Fr|first=Jason|last=Martin|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=Fr|first=Bennie|last=Brown|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=6|class=Fr|first=Darrell|last=Brooks|pos=DB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=7|class=Sr|first=Ray|last=Wells|pos=LB}}

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=Fr|first=Adam|last=Moro|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=Jr|first=Luis|last=Nunez|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=Fr|first=Jerome|last=Parker|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=Fr|first=Gary|last=Shepard|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=Fr|first=Lamon|last=Means|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=Jr|first=Anthony|last=Fulcher|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=So|first=Kirk|last=Johnson|pos=LB}}

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

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=So|first=Tony|last=Wingate|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=So|first=Justin|last=Jochum|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=35|class=Fr|first=Anderson|last=Phillips|pos=DB|rs=y}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=38|class=Fr|first=Akin|last=Akinniyi|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=40|class=Fr|first=John|last=McKinney|pos=LB}}

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

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=46|class=So|first=Lee|last=Patterson|pos=DB}}

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

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=50|class=So|first=Ben|last=Dalmolin|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=51|class=Fr|first=Spencer|last=Larsen|pos=LB}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=55|class=Fr|first=Marcus|last=Smith|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=Jr|first=Andre|last=Torrey|pos=DE}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=58|class=Fr|first=Tim|last=Volk|pos=DE}}

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=Fr|first=Nick|last=McCalmont|pos=LB|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=67|class=Fr|first=Jeremy|last=Willoughby|pos=DL|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=69|class=Fr|first=John|last=Abramo|pos=DL|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=Fr|first=Copeland|last=Bryan|pos=DL|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=Jr|first=Javier|last=Martinez|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=Fr|first=Marlon|last=Brisco|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Jr|first=Carl|last=Tuitavuli|pos=DT}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=92|class=So|first=Carlos|last=Williams|pos=DE}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=Fr|first=Paul|last=Philipp|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=95|class=Fr|first=Jake|last=Belshe|pos=DL}}

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

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

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

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

| special_teams_players=

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

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=16|class=Fr|first=Nick|last=Folk|pos=K|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=Jr|first=James|last=Molina|pos=P}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=Fr|first=Ryan|last=Fusco|pos=P|rs=y}}

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

{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Fr|first=Danny|last=Baugher|pos=P}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=http://arizonawildcats.com/roster.aspx?roster=122&path=football

| head_coach = *John Mackovic

| asst_coach = *Rick Dykes – Offensive coordinator

• Larry Mac Duff – Defensive coordinator

| accessdate=

}}

{{See also|2002 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (0–0) vs Arizona Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

|date=August 31, 2002

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Lumberjacks

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

|home=Wildcats

|H1=10|H2=17|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=48,446

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|94|°F|°C}}

|referee=David Cutaia

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (9:25) ARIZ – Sean Keel 48-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 25 yards, 2:45; Arizona 3–0)
• (2:48) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 2-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:14; Arizona 10–0)

;Second quarter

• (10:04) ARIZ – Sean Keel 24-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 3:19; Arizona 13–0)
• (6:45) NAU – Paul Ernster 22-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:12; Arizona 13–3)
• (5:27) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 52-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:12; Arizona 20–3)
• (1:18) ARIZ – James Hugo 20-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 2:56; Arizona 27–3)

;Third quarter

• (5:59) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 24-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:00; Arizona 34–3)

;Fourth quarter

• (8:35) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 26-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -1 yard, 1:40; Arizona 37–3)

}}

{{-}}

The Wildcats began the season by hosting in-state foe Northern Arizona from Flagstaff. It was the first meeting between the two since 1945.{{Cite news|title=UA football to play NAU to start ‘02 season|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=August 28, 2002}} The Wildcats would dominate the Lumberjacks from the start for an easy win.{{Cite news|title=Cats pass first test, dominate NAU in season opener|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=September 1, 2002}}

{{See also|2002 Utah Utes football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=Utah Utes (1–0) vs Arizona Wildcats (1–0) – Game summary

|date=September 15, 2002

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Utes

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=7|R4=3

|home=Wildcats

|H1=7|H2=6|H3=10|H4=0

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=44,243

|weather=Clear, {{convert|92|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Fogltance

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (6:23) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 47-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:40; Arizona 7–0)

;Second quarter

• (11:01) ARIZ – Sean Keel 21-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:59; Arizona 10–0)
• (7:46) UTAH – Josh Lyman 5-yard pass from Lance Rice, Bryan Borreson kick (Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:27; Arizona 10–7)
• (0:09) ARIZ – Sean Keel 19-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 1:16; Arizona 13–7)

;Third quarter

• (12:45) ARIZ – Andrae Thurman 44-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:10; Arizona 20–7)
• (10:16) ARIZ – Sean Keel 39-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -3 yards, 1:14; Arizona 23–7)
• (5:56) UTAH – Paris Jackson 7-yard pass from Lance Rice, Bryan Borreson kick (Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 1:02; Arizona 23–14)

;Fourth quarter

• (4:51) UTAH – Bryan Borreson 53-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 20 yards, 1:34; Arizona 23–17)

}}

{{-}}

In their next game against Utah, Arizona started off hot with a Wade touchdown catch. The Wildcats would add to their lead with a pair of field goals before halftime. In the second half, Arizona increased their lead after a Briggs forced fumble which turned into another field goal.

By the fourth quarter, the Utes would rally to cut the Arizona lead to a single score. In the final minute, they threatened to possibly win it by entering Wildcat territory. They would be denied a touchdown when a Utah receiver stepped out of bounds after a catch, though replays showed that he may have had a foot in bounds, which became controversial among Utah fans. A few plays later, the Wildcats would stop the Utes short of the goal line on fourth down, and Arizona survived move to 2–0 for the second consecutive season under Mackovic.{{Cite news|title=Wildcats edge Utes, survive late Utah threat|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=September 15, 2002}}{{Cite news|title=Utah falls short to Arizona after late controversial finish|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 15, 2002}} Arizona’s defense shut down Utah’s rushing offense (which was ranked second at the time), limiting them to only 36 yards.

{{See also|2002 Wisconsin Badgers football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (2–0) at No. 22 Wisconsin Badgers (4–0) – Game summary

|date=September 21, 2002

|time=9:00 A.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=7|R4=3

|home=No. 22 Badgers

|H1=0|H2=24|H3=7|H4=0

|stadium=Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI

|attendance=78,582

|weather=Sunny and Clear, {{convert|63|°F|°C}}

|referee=Dave Witvoet

|TV=ESPN2

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• No scoring plays

;Second quarter

• (14:53) WIS – Anthony Davis 6-yard run, Scott Campbell kick (Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:49; Wisconsin 7–0)
• (13:45) WIS – Anthony Davis 3-yard run, Scott Campbell kick (Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:49; Wisconsin 14–0)
• (4:03) WIS – Jonathan Orr 17-yard pass from Brooks Bollinger, Scott Campbell kick (Drive: 10 plays, 96 yards, 4:50; Wisconsin 21–0)
• (0:12) WIS – Scott Campbell 32-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 21 yards, 2:39; Wisconsin 24–0)

;Third quarter

• (10:15) ARIZ – Clarence Farmer 70-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 94 yards, 2:16; Wisconsin 24–7)
• (1:39) WIS – Brooks Bollinger 1-yard run, Scott Campbell kick (Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 8:31; Wisconsin 31–7)

;Fourth quarter

• (8:12) ARIZ – Sean Keel 27-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 11 yards, 2:29; Wisconsin 31–10)

}}

{{-}}

Arizona traveled to Wisconsin to play the #22 Badgers in the first ever meeting between the two teams. After a scoreless first quarter, Wisconsin broke it open with 24 points, drawing comparisons to Arizona’s embarrassing loss to Penn State in 1999. The Wildcats would play better in the second half, but the big halftime deficit would be too much for them to overcome and lost for the first time in the season.{{Cite news|title=Badgers maul Wildcats, 31-10|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=September 23, 2002}} Arizona’s dominant offense fell silent against the Badgers and Mackovic lost his first non-conference game as Wildcat coach.

{{See also|2002 North Texas Mean Green football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=North Texas Mean Green (1–3) vs Arizona Wildcats (2–1) – Game summary

|date=September 28, 2002

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=Mean Green

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

|home=Wildcats

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

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=37,917

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|85|F|C}}

|referee=Gordon Riese

|TV=KWBA

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (5:14) UNT – Nick Bazaldua 44-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 4:56; North Texas 3–0)

;Second quarter

• (8:13) UNT – Nick Bazaldua 32-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:05; North Texas 6–0)
• (2:34) ARIZ – Mike Bell 14-yard run, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 1 play, 14 yards, 0:05; Arizona 7–6)
• (0:00) ARIZ – Gary Love 60-yard blocked field goal return, Sean Keel kick (Arizona 14–6)

;Third quarter

• (10:52) UNT – Nick Bazaldua 31-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:03; Arizona 14–9)

;Fourth quarter

• No scoring plays

}}

{{-}}

{{See also|2002 Oregon Ducks football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=No. 8 Oregon Ducks (4–0) vs Arizona Wildcats (3–1) – Game summary

|date=October 5, 2002

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=No. 8 Ducks

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

|home=Wildcats

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

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=47,356

|weather=Clear, {{convert|80|F|C}}

|referee=Jay Stricherz

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (11:57) ARIZ – Mike Bell 19-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:27; Arizona 7–0)
• (8:03) ORE – Onterrio Smith 3-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:48; Tied 7–7)
• (1:53) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 16-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 1:50; Arizona 14–7)

;Second quarter

• (5:25) ORE – Onterrio Smith 10-yard run, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 1:12; Tied 14–14)
• (0:39) ORE – Jared Siegel 53-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 2:56; Oregon 17–14)

;Third quarter

• (6:00) ORE – Keenan Howry 33-yard pass from Jason Fife, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:04; Oregon 24–14)

;Fourth quarter

• (14:54) ORE – Terrence Whitehead 9-yard pass from Jason Fife, Jared Siegel kick (Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 4:58; Oregon 31–14)

}}

{{-}}

After a close win over North Texas (which featured Arizona’s blocked field goal return for a touchdown before halftime), the Wildcats hosted Oregon yet again. Arizona looked great early, leading 14-7 after the opening quarter. However, the eighth-ranked Ducks would take control of the game and shut out the Wildcats the rest of the way. Despite the loss, Wade had a career-high 12 receptions, including a touchdown.{{Cite news|title=Ducks thump Cats; Oregon’s big 2nd half dooms UA|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=October 6, 2002}}

{{See also|2002 Washington Huskies football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–2) at No. 22 Washington Huskies (3–2) – Game summary

|date=October 12, 2002

|time=12:30 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=7|R2=7|R3=7|R4=7

|home=No. 22 Huskies

|H1=3|H2=13|H3=10|H4=6

|stadium=Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA

|attendance=71,016

|weather=Sunny, Clear, {{convert|54|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jack Folliard

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (9:15) ARIZ – Beau Carr 1-yard run, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:45; Arizona 7–0)
• (2:42) WASH – John Anderson 37-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 60 yards, 6:33; Arizona 7–3)

;Second quarter

• (10:21) WASH – Rich Alexis 3-yard run, John Anderson kick (Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 5:04; Washington 10–7)
• (2:00) WASH – Reggie Williams 10-yard pass from Cody Pickett, kick failed (Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:59; Washington 16–7)
• (0:49) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 2-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 1:11; Washington 16–14)

;Third quarter

• (11:40) WASH – Reggie Williams 26-yard pass from Cody Pickett, John Anderson kick (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:20; Washington 23–14)
• (2:50) WASH – John Anderson 52-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 0:54; Washington 26–14)
• (0:58) ARIZ – Andrae Thurman 20-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:52; Washington 26–21)

;Fourth quarter

• (12:41) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 28-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 2:12; Arizona 28–26)
• (2:03) WASH – Reggie Williams 80-yard pass from Cody Pickett, two-point pass failed (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:17; Washington 32–28)

}}

{{-}}

The Wildcats visited Washington for the third straight season. Arizona would lead in the fourth quarter, only to see the #22 Huskies come back with a long touchdown catch and run past their secondary and gave the Wildcats another stunning loss for the third year in a row.{{Cite news|title=Huskies do it again: Late 4th quarter rally tops Arizona|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=October 13, 2002}}

{{See also|2002 Stanford Cardinal football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–3) at Stanford Cardinal (1–4) – Game summary

|date=October 19, 2002

|time=2:00 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

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

|home=Cardinal

|H1=10|H2=0|H3=3|H4=3

|stadium=Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA

|attendance=33,800

|weather=Sunny and clear, {{convert|71|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Fogltance

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (9:55) STAN – Michael Sgroi 45-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 40 yards, 3:27; Stanford 3–0)
• (8:13) STAN – Alex Smith 12-yard pass from Chris Lewis, Michael Sgroi kick (Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:08; Stanford 10–0)
• (1:47) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 25-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:35; Stanford 10–3)

;Second quarter

• (0:02) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 23-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 3:53; Stanford 10–6)

;Third quarter

• (8:01) STAN – Michael Sgroi 27-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 6:59; Stanford 13–6)

;Fourth quarter

• (2:21) STAN – Michael Sgroi 21-yard field goal (Drive: 19 plays, 83 yards, 9:06; Stanford 16–6)

}}

{{-}}

{{See also|2002 Washington State Cougars football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=No. 9 Washington State Cougars (6–1) vs Arizona Wildcats (3–4) – Game summary

|date=October 26, 2002

|time=7:00 P.M.

|road=No. 9 Cougars

|R1=2|R2=3|R3=9|R4=7

|home=Wildcats

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=46,462

|weather=Partly cloudy, {{convert|67|F|C}}

|referee=David Cutaia

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (3:57) WSU – Team safety (Washington State 2–0)

;Second quarter

• (6:21) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 47-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 2:08; Arizona 3–2)
• (2:45) WSU – Drew Dunning 22-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 3:26; Washington State 5–3)
• (0:51) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 27-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 1:40; Arizona 10–5)

;Third quarter

• (11:38) WSU – Drew Dunning 36-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 3:13; Arizona 10–8)
• (4:59) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 42-yard field goal (Drive: 19 plays, 61 yards, 6:30; Arizona 13–8)
• (2:04) WSU – Devard Darling 16-yard pass from Jason Gesser, two-point run failed (Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 2:42; Washington State 14–13)

;Fourth quarter

• (7:37) WSU – Jermaine Green 18-yard run, Drew Dunning kick (Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 1:53; Washington State 21–13)

}}

{{-}}

Arizona returned home and played against ninth-ranked Washington State, who ironically, was the team that the Wildcats beat for their last Pac-10 home win in 2000 (when they still had Dick Tomey as coach before hiring Mackovic). The defense, led by Briggs, would keep the Wildcats in it, but the offense sputtered, mostly due to being blitzed by the Cougars. Arizona would make crucial mistakes in the final quarter after having chances to come back, and would lead to another loss.{{Cite news|title=Cats miss opportunities, come up short against No. 9 Cougars|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=October 27, 2002}}

{{See also|2002 Oregon State Beavers football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–5) at Oregon State Beavers (5–3) – Game summary

|date=November 2, 2002

|time=2:00 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

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

|home=Beavers

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

|stadium=Reser Stadium • Corvallis, OR

|attendance=36,644

|weather=Sunny, Clear, {{convert|48|°F|°C}}

|referee=Chuck McFerrin

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (11:45) OSU – Steven Jackson 5-yard run, Kirk Yliniemi kick (Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 3:15; Oregon State 7–0)
• (3:48) OSU – Derek Anderson 1-yard run, Kirk Yliniemi kick (Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:23; Oregon State 14–0)

;Second quarter

• (14:17) OSU – James Newson 86-yard pass from Derek Anderson, Kirk Yliniemi kick (Drive: 1 play, 86 yards, 0:12; Oregon State 21–0)
• (1:02) OSU – Steven Jackson 1-yard run, Kirk Yliniemi kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:38; Oregon State 28–0)

;Third quarter

• (4:08) OSU – Kirk Yliniemi 28-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 24 yards, 3:08; Oregon State 31–0)
• (1:02) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 43-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 2:58; Oregon State 31–3)

;Fourth quarter

• (2:20) OSU – Dan Haines 13-yard pass from Adam Rothenfluh, Kirk Yliniemi kick (Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 4:29; Oregon State 38–3)

}}

{{-}}

{{See also|2002 UCLA Bruins football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=UCLA Bruins (6–3) vs Arizona Wildcats (3–6) – Game summary

|date=November 9, 2002

|time=7:30 P.M.

|road=Bruins

|R1=10|R2=10|R3=14|R4=3

|home=Wildcats

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

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=43,613

|weather=Clear Skies, {{convert|66|F|C}}

|referee=Jay Stricherz

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (12:47) UCLA – Tyler Ebell 22-yard run, Nate Fikse kick (Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:13; UCLA 7–0)
• (8:52) UCLA – Nate Fikse 39-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 2:45; UCLA 10–0)

;Second quarter

• (12:45) UCLA – Tyler Ebell 19-yard run, Nate Fikse kick (Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:01; UCLA 17–0)
• (10:42) ARIZ – Andrae Thurman 92-yard pass from Nic Costa, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:58; UCLA 17–7)
• (8:02) UCLA – Nate Fikse 51-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:30; UCLA 20–7)

;Third quarter

• (13:45) UCLA – Craig Bragg 33-yard pass from Drew Olson, Nate Fikse kick (Drive: 1 play, 33 yards, 0:10; UCLA 27–7)
• (6:51) UCLA – Manuel White 1-yard run, Nate Fikse kick (Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:06; UCLA 34–7)

;Fourth quarter

• (14:51) UCLA – Nate Fikse 23-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:41; UCLA 37–7)

}}

{{-}}

On homecoming day, the Wildcats hosted UCLA. Arizona’s offense continued to struggle, and only scored on a long catch and run for a touchdown that would prevent a shutout. The defense was hurt by penalties and poor tackling, leading to the Bruins scoring over 30 points. The Wildcats would go on to drop their sixth consecutive loss of the year.{{Cite news|title=Bruins pound Wildcats; UA loses 6th in a row|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=November 10, 2002}}

Controversy erupted days after the loss, when Mackovic told one of his players that his poor blocking during the game made him a “disgrace to his family”, which hurt his feelings, as well as his teammates.{{Cite news|title=Players hurt by Mackovic’s remarks|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 12, 2002}} Led by Briggs, the players reported the incident to both the Arizona president and athletic director, and discussed about a series of abuses by Mackovic, including one where Mackovic made a meltdown to the team after the loss to Wisconsin earlier in the season.{{Cite news|title=UA football players meet with president about coach’s behavior|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=November 13, 2002}} The news made headlines around the Arizona campus as well as Tucson. In a press conference, Mackovic issued an apology to the program and the community and promised to treat respect to the team. Despite fans calling for his firing for both his behavior and the team’s losses, Mackovic would remain the coach through the end of the season.{{Cite news|title=Mackovic apologizes for misbehavior at team|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 14, 2002}}

{{See also|2002 California Golden Bears football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state= autocollapse

|title=Arizona Wildcats (3–6) at California Golden Bears (6–4) – Game summary

|date=November 16, 2002

|time=1:30 P.M.

|road=Wildcats

|R1=0|R2=24|R3=7|R4=21

|home=Golden Bears

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

|stadium=California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA

|attendance=28,808

|weather=Hazy, {{convert|66|°F|°C}}

|referee=Gordon Riese

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (8:18) CAL – Mark Jensen 43-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards, 4:43; California 3–0)

;Second quarter

• (14:50) ARIZ – Justin Levasseur 1-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 3 plays, 76 yards, 0:42; Arizona 7–3)
• (12:32) ARIZ – Ray Wells 42-yard interception return, Bobby Gill kick (Arizona 14–3)
• (12:15) CAL – LaShaun Ward 94-yard kickoff return, Mark Jensen kick (Arizona 14–10)
• (8:42) ARIZ – Bobby Gill 30-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:33; Arizona 17–10)
• (3:15) CAL – LaShaun Ward 25-yard pass from Kyle Boller, Mark Jensen kick (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 1:14; Tied 17–17)
• (1:52) ARIZ – Lance Relford 31-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:23; Arizona 24–17)

;Third quarter

• (13:44) CAL – James Bethea 60-yard blocked field goal return, Mark Jensen kick (Tied 24–24)
• (12:37) ARIZ – Lamon Means 27-yard blocked punt return, Bobby Gill kick (Arizona 31–24)
• (2:06) CAL – Joe Igber 38-yard run, Mark Jensen kick (Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 1:08; Tied 31–31)

;Fourth quarter

• (14:57) CAL – Mark Jensen 19-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:51; California 34–31)
• (12:37) ARIZ – Justin Levasseur 9-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 6:12; Arizona 38–34)
• (8:45) ARIZ – Bobby Wade 7-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:52; Arizona 45–34)
• (3:57) ARIZ – Beau Carr 4-yard run, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:09; Arizona 52–34)
• (0:37) CAL – Tom Swoboda 11-yard pass from Kyle Boller, Mark Jensen kick (Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 2:10; Arizona 52–41)

}}

{{-}}

After moving on from the Mackovic fiasco, Arizona visited California, looking to break their losing streak. The Wildcats would dominate on offense, throwing for nearly 500 yards. Wade had over 200 yards receiving and tight end Justin Levasseur, who was the player that Mackovic mistreated which started the controversy, caught a touchdown pass to give Arizona the lead for good. The Wildcats’ defense would play poor, but their offensive performance was just enough for them to get past the Golden Bears to end their slump for their first Pac-10 win in a high-scoring match.{{Cite news|title=Cats roar to life; Offense comes up big to snap losing skid|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 17, 2002}} It was the second consecutive year that Mackovic won his first conference game at California.

{{See also|2002 Arizona State Sun Devils football team}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

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

|state=autocollapse

|title=Arizona State Sun Devils (7–5) vs Arizona Wildcats (4–7) – Game summary

|date=November 29, 2002

|time=1:00 P.M.

|road=Sun Devils

|R1=3|R2=7|R3=10|R4=14

|home=Wildcats

|H1=7|H2=6|H3=7|H4=0

|stadium=Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ

|attendance=47,005

|weather=Partly Cloudy, {{convert|62|°F|°C}}

|referee=Jim Fogltance

|TV=Fox Sports Arizona

|TVAnnouncers=

|scoring=

;First quarter

• (5:53) ASU – Mike Barth 27-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards, 1:31; Arizona State 3–0)
• (2:51) ARIZ – Beau Carr 1-yard run, Sean Keel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:54; Arizona 7–3)

;Second quarter

• (10:24) ASU – Mike Williams 5-yard run, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 10 plays, 94 yards, 4:32; Arizona State 10–7)
• (0:54) ARIZ – Beau Carr 6-yard run, kick failed (Drive: 10 plays, 100 yards, 3:34; Arizona 13–10)

;Third quarter

• (10:38) ASU – Mike Barth 32-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 4:18; Tied 13–13)
• (6:51) ARIZ – Biren Ealy 10-yard pass from Jason Johnson, Bobby Gill kick (Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:18; Arizona 20–13)
• (1:55) ASU – Mike Williams 4-yard run, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 13 plays, 84 yards, 4:47; Tied 20–20)

;Fourth quarter

• (9:10) ASU – Mike Williams 8-yard run, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 4:14; Arizona State 27–20)
• (6:51) ASU – Mike Williams 4-yard run, Mike Barth kick (Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:06; Arizona State 34–20)

}}

{{-}}

Mackovic looked to earn his second straight “Duel in the Desert” win as the Wildcats went back to Tucson to face Arizona State in the rivalry game. Arizona donned blue pants for the game, which was the first time that they wore them at home in their history (they had worn white pants for all home games before then).{{Cite news|title=Wildcats to go all-blue for game against ASU|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=November 27, 2002}}

In a game that was filled with turnovers and penalties, the Wildcats led 13-10 at the half, but would make the more crucial mistakes that would cost them, as ASU would capitalize in the second half and would outscore Arizona to end the Wildcats’ season with a 4-8 record.{{Cite news|title=Sun Devils trample rival Wildcats|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=November 30, 2002}} Both Wade and Briggs finished their Wildcat careers with a 1–3 record against the Sun Devils and no bowl appearances. Several mistakes thwarted scoring chances for Arizona and near the end of the game, the Wildcats’ student section chanted for Mackovic to be fired and the Wildcats’ futile season was finally over.{{Cite news|title=Wildcats’ 2002 football season was full of futility and controversy|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 1, 2002}}

• Bobby Wade, WR, First-team All-Pac-10
• Lance Briggs, LB, First-team All-Pac-10
• Ray Wells, LB, First-team All-Pac-10
• Makoa Freitas, OL, Second-team All-Pac-10

• Arizona played twelve games in a season for the first time since 1999.
• Arizona opened the year against Northern Arizona and the two would play often frequently since then (NAU would play ASU a few times). The Wildcats would dominate NAU in most of their future matchups until NAU would finally win in 2021.
• The Wildcats would not beat Utah again until 2012, when Utah and Arizona became conference foes.
• This was the first and only time that Arizona and North Texas would meet (the Wildcats defeated the Mean Green in a game that featured Arizona scoring on a blocked kick, which remains the most recent time that they would return a blocked field goal for a score).
• This was the third consecutive year that Arizona had a near-miss of defeating Washington after the Huskies scoring late to win.
• The Wildcats did not score a touchdown in their losses to Stanford and Oregon State (both on the road). The former would be Stanford’s only conference win of the season and the latter being an identical final score from the previous season (38-3).
• The game against California (which aired on FSN) was not broadcast live in the Tucson market, supposedly due to the controversy involving Mackovic. Arizona fans would eventually view the game, as FSN aired it on a tape delay later that day as well as the following day.{{Cite news|title=UA-Cal game to air on tape delay, won’t be aired live in Tucson in wake of Mackovic scandal|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=November 15, 2002}}
• The win over Cal would be the only good thing for the team following the Mackovic controversy, as Arizona officials believed that the Wildcats would not win a big game as long as Mackovic was coach due to his troubles.
• In the loss to Arizona State, fans who were furious over Mackovic and the inability to win big games, chanted “Fire Mackovic” and “We have basketball” as time expired at the end of the game, referring the fact that they were relived that the season was over and wanted the Wildcats to get a new coach to bring honesty, and looked to basketball as that program was continuing to be dominant.{{Cite news|title=UA fans move on from football, focus on basketball|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=December 2, 2002}}
• With Arizona continuously losing in Pac-10 play and the fallout of Mackovic late in the season, it broke the promise of him leading the team to the Rose Bowl as coach when he was hired before the 2001 season.{{Cite news|title=Arizona will never be Rose Bowl contenders under Mackovic|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=December 3, 2002}}
• As Wade would graduate after the season, this was officially the last year of Arizona’s “Desert Storm” era (a phrase that referenced the Wildcats’ dominant offense that began in their big 1998 season and was a pun on their dominant “Desert Swarm” defense under Tomey in the early 1990s).{{Cite news|title=Wildcat football’s big offensive era now history|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 5, 2002}}
• Wade made Arizona history this season, as he caught 93 passes, which broke the Arizona record for most receptions for a receiver in a single season. Wade passed Dennis Northcutt’s record of 88 from 1999 and the 93 receptions in 2002 is still an Arizona record to this day. Also, Wade is second to Northcutt in terms of single-season receiving yards with 1,389 this season (Northcutt had 1,422 in 1999) and holds the record for career receiving yards with 3,351, surpassing Northcutt’s record of 3,252. Wade is behind Northcutt with 23 touchdowns (Northcutt had 24) and held the Arizona record of career receptions with 230 until Mike Thomas broke it in 2008 with 259.{{Cite news|title=Wade ends Arizona career as wide receiver with two broken records|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 5, 2002}}
• Arizona’s 1–7 conference record would end up being one of the worst records in their history. They would also tie that record in the following year.{{Cite news|title=Arizona football was terrible in Pac-10 play in ‘02|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|date=December 6, 2002}}

As Arizona finished with yet another losing season, Mackovic was retained for the 2003 season, despite fans calling for him to be fired. However, Mac Duff was fired as defensive coordinator due to the team’s poor defensive performance, which ended his Arizona career for good.{{Cite news|title=Mac Duff dismissed as UA defensive coordinator|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=December 9, 2002}} The Wildcats struggled on defense in Mac Duff’s second stint with the program, as opposed to his first when they were dominant under him and Tomey.{{Cite news|title=Cats fire Mac Duff; Defense was unable to be ‘Swarm’-like in second stint|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=December 9, 2002}}

Many players considered leaving the team or transferring to other schools during the offseason as a result of Mackovic’s behavior.{{Cite news|title=Wildcat football will be different in ‘03|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=February 18, 2003}} It would affect recruiting and fan interest, leading to a worst 2003 season, where Mackovic would finally be fired as coach.{{Cite news|title=Fired: Mackovic dismissed as Arizona football coach|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|date=September 29, 2003}}

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