With most of their “Desert Swarm” defense returning, Arizona attempted to improve on their successful 1993 season and entered 1994 as contenders for the Rose Bowl.

[1] However, those expectations would fall short late in the season, and the Wildcats still managed to earn a winning record and bowl appearance.

[2] The Wildcats concluded the 1993 season with a 10–2 record by sharing the Pac-10 title and winning the Fiesta Bowl.

They also lost out on the Rose Bowl due to a head-to-head loss to UCLA and a second-half collapse at California.

The team was also featured on the front cover of Sports Illustrated in August and was ranked first in the magazine’s poll.

Late in the fourth quarter, Arizona drove down the field and scored in the final minute to get the win and avoid a major upset.

The Desert Swarm would dominate the Aggies and Arizona’s offense put up scores to win big.

[11] The Wildcats returned home for a showdown with UCLA, who defeated Arizona in the previous season that led to both teams sharing the Pac-10 title (along with USC).

After falling behind early, Arizona stormed back and took control of the game in the second half with a combination of an improved offense and the Desert Swarm to avenge their 1993 loss to the Bruins.

Arizona led 9-0 at halftime, but would make mistakes in the second half, which allowed Oregon to take the lead by the fourth quarter.

In the second quarter, Cal threatened in Arizona territory near the goal, but the Swarm came up big by foiling a trick play by forcing an interception and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.

The Desert Swarm gave the Sun Devils problems early, though Arizona’s offense would have drives stalled, which led to field goals.

After making a stop by the Swarm, Arizona would get the ball back and found the end zone for another touchdown to regain the lead with under four minutes to go.