[1] The season was mostly overshadowed by the success of the Wildcats’ basketball team after winning the national championship earlier in the year, though the football program rebounded and ended the year on a winning streak and reaching the postseason, which led to playing their bowl game at home.

The Aztecs got off to an early start and led 21–0 at one point before Arizona stormed back to tie it in the second half.

The Aztecs tried to respond on their final drive, but Arizona's defense would cause and interception to complete the comeback win.

Arizona would lead most of the game before Cal came back to tie in the final minute of regulation and forced overtime.

After both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime frame, California would miss a field goal in the second which gave Arizona a chance at the win.

The Wildcats would convert their field goal try and won their first overtime game in program history and avenged their four-overtime loss to the Bears from the previous season.

Arizona attempted to get revenge on the Sun Devils after ASU gave them a blowout loss in the previous year.

However, things didn't look easy for them as the game took place in Tempe and ASU being ranked 12th and Wildcats needed a win to become bowl-eligible.

Late in the second quarter, the Wildcats scored a touchdown after ASU appeared to jump offsides, which confused both teams as no flag was thrown.

[20] In the bowl game itself in front of a pro-Arizona crowd and national TV audience, both teams played a close first half with the Wildcats leading at the break.

In the fourth quarter, both teams’ defenses would dominate and the Wildcats would ultimately hold on for the victory and ended the season with a record of 7–5.