Arizona was eligible for a bowl game this season, as their postseason ban was lifted following NCAA sanctions that were received in 1983 as a result of recruiting violations.
[3] Major highlights of the season included an upset victory over SMU, who was ranked third at the time, and a road win at rival Arizona State.
Due to NCAA violations, the team was ineligible for a bowl game (as was in 1983) and got banned from both playing on live television and being in the rankings.
At home against third-ranked SMU, the Wildcats dominated the Mustangs in an upset that shocked the college football world in front of a packed Arizona Stadium crowd.
[9] Two years later, SMU would be punished with death penalty in the wake of a massive slush fund scandal that would damage their program.
[13] Arizona seemed to run out of luck when the Sun Devils led 13–3 at one point before the Wildcats stormed back.
ASU had a final chance, but the Wildcats forced an interception and Arizona escaped with the win and their fourth consecutive over the Devils.