Arizona Wildcats football: On remembering USS Arizona, Dawkins' Hawaiian roots, reunion
- Updated
Seen and heard at Arizona Stadium during Arizona's game against Hawaii.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
It was a patriotic Saturday night at Arizona Stadium, and for good reason — the UA remembered the U.S.S. Arizona and the 75th anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Wildcats wore custom jerseys designed to mimic the battleship’s color scheme from the helmet to the pants. The nameplate on the back read “BB-39,” the ship’s hull number.
U.S.S. Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner was honored before the game and a giant U.S. flag covered the field during the national anthem. Members of Arizona’s ROTC programs held it in place.
After the ceremonies, the Wildcats took the field carrying a 48-star U.S. internment flag, which was presented to Bruner prior to the coin toss.
U.S. Sen. John McCain flipped the coin, which came from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
At halftime, Bruner and several World War II veterans were honored in an on-field ceremony.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
3: The UA is auctioning three USS Arizona football jerseys and three throwback helmets, with proceeds benefiting the USS Arizona Mall Memorial. Opening bids for the helmets are $500, while the jerseys start at $1,000. Fans can bid at azathletics.auction-bid.org/microsite/ through Monday night.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
15: The Wildcats have recorded a sack in 15 straight games dating back to last season after linebacker DeAndre’ Miller brought down Hawaii quarterback Ikaika Woolsey in the first quarter.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
UA quarterback Brandon Dawkins made his first career start last weekend against Grambling State.
Unfortunately, his father wasn’t able to make the trip.
Dawkins started again Saturday, and Frank Dawkins was in the stands. After all, the Dawkins family has some history with Hawaii.
Dawkins lived on Nuuanu on the island of Oahu on and off until he was 7 years old. Frank was in the Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor.
Brandon Dawkins said he was a huge fan of the Rainbow Warriors — “there were always my favorite team,” he said — largely because of their star quarterback at the time, Colt Brennan. Brennan received Heisman Trophy votes in 2006 and 2007. As a senior, he broke the FBS career record for touchdown passes.
“Playing against my hometown team is a dream come true,” Dawkins said. “Playing the school you grew up around is kind of an eye-opener and it’s awesome, to be honest.”
Dawkins moved to Southern California and starred at Oaks Christian High School. Hawaii, like nearly everyone else, recruited him.
“There was definitely a thought in my mind of going down there and trying to turn the program around,” Dawkins said.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Wildcats’ new Haka will have to wait.
UA defensive lineman Sani Fuimaono had been working on a new pregame dance for Arizona for nearly a year, ever since the Wildcats were forced to stop the pregame routine following protests.
Arizona had planned to debut it against Hawaii on Saturday, but Fuimaono decided it wasn’t ready for public viewing. The Wildcats performed it in the privacy of their locker room.
Hawaii, though, still performed its Haka dance pregame.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea has history with Arizona, having played for the Wildcats from 2012-14 before transferring to Hawaii.
Kema-Kaleiwahea, a captain, was reunited with his former teammates at midfield during the coin toss.
He had a long, loving embrace with linebacker Jake Matthews, who he considers a close friend.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Saturday marked a homecoming for Hawaii cornerback Jalen Rogers.
Rogers was a Cienega High School standout in football, basketball and track. The Star named him a first-team All-Southern Arizona selection on the gridiron following his senior season in 2011.
Rogers spent two years at Mesa Community College before transferring to Hawaii. He tallied 40 tackles and an interception as a junior for Hawaii last season.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Former Arizona (and Hawaii) coach Dick Tomey was in attendance for Saturday night’s game. Also there: Tucson Olympian Bernard Lagat and former Wildcats and Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs.
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- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
It was a patriotic Saturday night at Arizona Stadium, and for good reason — the UA remembered the U.S.S. Arizona and the 75th anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Wildcats wore custom jerseys designed to mimic the battleship’s color scheme from the helmet to the pants. The nameplate on the back read “BB-39,” the ship’s hull number.
U.S.S. Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner was honored before the game and a giant U.S. flag covered the field during the national anthem. Members of Arizona’s ROTC programs held it in place.
After the ceremonies, the Wildcats took the field carrying a 48-star U.S. internment flag, which was presented to Bruner prior to the coin toss.
U.S. Sen. John McCain flipped the coin, which came from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
At halftime, Bruner and several World War II veterans were honored in an on-field ceremony.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
3: The UA is auctioning three USS Arizona football jerseys and three throwback helmets, with proceeds benefiting the USS Arizona Mall Memorial. Opening bids for the helmets are $500, while the jerseys start at $1,000. Fans can bid at azathletics.auction-bid.org/microsite/ through Monday night.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
UA quarterback Brandon Dawkins made his first career start last weekend against Grambling State.
Unfortunately, his father wasn’t able to make the trip.
Dawkins started again Saturday, and Frank Dawkins was in the stands. After all, the Dawkins family has some history with Hawaii.
Dawkins lived on Nuuanu on the island of Oahu on and off until he was 7 years old. Frank was in the Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor.
Brandon Dawkins said he was a huge fan of the Rainbow Warriors — “there were always my favorite team,” he said — largely because of their star quarterback at the time, Colt Brennan. Brennan received Heisman Trophy votes in 2006 and 2007. As a senior, he broke the FBS career record for touchdown passes.
“Playing against my hometown team is a dream come true,” Dawkins said. “Playing the school you grew up around is kind of an eye-opener and it’s awesome, to be honest.”
Dawkins moved to Southern California and starred at Oaks Christian High School. Hawaii, like nearly everyone else, recruited him.
“There was definitely a thought in my mind of going down there and trying to turn the program around,” Dawkins said.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
The Wildcats’ new Haka will have to wait.
UA defensive lineman Sani Fuimaono had been working on a new pregame dance for Arizona for nearly a year, ever since the Wildcats were forced to stop the pregame routine following protests.
Arizona had planned to debut it against Hawaii on Saturday, but Fuimaono decided it wasn’t ready for public viewing. The Wildcats performed it in the privacy of their locker room.
Hawaii, though, still performed its Haka dance pregame.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea has history with Arizona, having played for the Wildcats from 2012-14 before transferring to Hawaii.
Kema-Kaleiwahea, a captain, was reunited with his former teammates at midfield during the coin toss.
He had a long, loving embrace with linebacker Jake Matthews, who he considers a close friend.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Saturday marked a homecoming for Hawaii cornerback Jalen Rogers.
Rogers was a Cienega High School standout in football, basketball and track. The Star named him a first-team All-Southern Arizona selection on the gridiron following his senior season in 2011.
Rogers spent two years at Mesa Community College before transferring to Hawaii. He tallied 40 tackles and an interception as a junior for Hawaii last season.
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