In their third and final season under head coach Tony Mason, the Wildcats compiled a 6–5–1 record (4–3 in Pac-10, third), lost to Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl,[2] and outscored their opponents, 244 to 243.
With many players returning for the 1979 season, Mason believed that Arizona would be ready to compete in the Pac-10 and attempt to contend for a bowl appearance.
In the rivalry game against Arizona State, the Wildcats did not have to deal with former ASU coach Frank Kush, who was dismissed earlier in the season due to an incident that involved one of his players.
[26] Kush had dominated the Wildcats since he became coach in 1958, which led to the Sun Devils gaining the upper hand in the rivalry.
Wildcat kicker Brett Weber attempted a potential game-winning field goal, but missed it as time expired which would have led to the rivalry’s first-ever tie (which would not happen until 1987).
However, in the spring of 1980, during the offseason, Mason was let go after it was determined that he allegedly committed recruiting fraud by misusing money for paying players.