Aside from conference games and bowls, the Arizona Wildcats have played only one “Power 5” opponent during Rich Rodriguez’s first four seasons as coach.
Arizona now has three on its future schedules.
The school on Wednesday announced home-and-home series with Kansas State of the Big 12 Conference and Nebraska of the Big Ten.
Arizona will visit Manhattan, Kansas, on Sept. 24, 2024. K-State will come to Tucson on Sept. 13 the following year. Arizona is 5-1-1 all-time against Kansas State. The schools last met in 1978.
The Nebraska series is set for 2028 and ’31. The UA will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sept. 16, 2028. The Cornhuskers will come here on Sept. 13, 2031. The schools are 1-1-1 against each other. They last met in the 2009 Holiday Bowl.
“We are excited to announce these future games against two outstanding programs,” UA athletic director Greg Byrne said in a news release. “While these games are a ways off, it is important for us to schedule competitive games that will be exciting for fans and recruits alike as we continue to strengthen all aspects of our football program.”
People are also reading…
Arizona previously had scheduled a home-and-home series with Mississippi State of the SEC for 2022 and ’23.
The UA’s only previous nonconference, regular-season game against a Power 5 opponent came in Rodriguez’s first season. Arizona defeated Oklahoma State 59-38 on Sept. 8, 2012. The Wildcats are 12-0 in nonconference games under Rodriguez.
Arizona’s only other out-of-conference game against a major opponent during the Rodriguez era was the 2013 Independence Bowl. The UA defeated Boston College of the ACC 42-19.
