1983 Arizona Wildcats football team

In the spring of 1983, Arizona was placed on probation by both the Pac-10 and the NCAA after it was discovered that the football program was involved in a slush fund scandal by giving players cash payments, which is illegal under NCAA rules. Tony Mason, Smith’s predecessor, was allegedly involved in the scandal.[5] After a three-year investigation, the NCAA and the Pac-10 found enough evidence that Mason covered up the scandal and that the Arizona football program broke NCAA rules by committing academic fraud as well as recruiting violations. The program was placed on a three-year probation and was also fined $250,000 (the team was originally placed on probation in 1981 and Mason had already been fired before the 1980 season began, leading to the hiring of Smith). As a result, them lost scholarships and was banned from bowl games for the 1983 and 1984 seasons. In addition, they were also barred from playing live games on television games for both seasons (nearly all home games, though TV broadcasting rights for select home and road games were already booked prior to the ban).[6] Due to the bowl, the Wildcats were ineligible for the Rose Bowl if they were to finish in first place in the Pac-10, which they ultimately did not.[7]

Max Zendejas kicked the game-winning 45-yard field goal as time expired.