Seen and heard at the Arizona Bowl: On Gin Blossoms, cold beer and parachutes
- Updated
Tales from Friday's Air Force win over South Alabama.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A smiling Tyler Williams emerged from the home-team locker room, having just experienced something he described as “surreal.”
Williams had just won a bowl game in his hometown. And he played a vital role in the victory.
The Ironwood Ridge High School product helped Air Force rally from an 18-point deficit to defeat South Alabama 45-21 in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on Friday.
Williams, a junior receiver, matched his season total with a team-high three receptions for 66 yards. He also rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown. His 11 total touches were a season high.
“When your number’s called, you’re expected to go make the plays,” Williams said. “I’m just thankful I was able to do that today.
“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity. It’s kind of surreal when you think about it, to be able to play in front of all these people who love and care about you.”
About 100 of Williams’ family members and friends attended Friday’s game. Coach Troy Calhoun insisted there was no concerted effort to get Williams the ball more than usual.
“We’ve been calling him the hometown hero all week long,” quarterback Arion Worthman said. “He came out and performed.”
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Gin Blossoms performed before the game at the tailgate festival on the UA Mall. Lead singer Robin Wilson introduced himself and the band as “your pain-in-the-ass cousins from Tempe.”
The group played 12 songs over the course of about an hour. The set list was as follows:
“Follow You Down”
“Until I Fall Away”
“Miss Disarray”
“Pieces Of The Night”
“Lost Horizons”
“As Long As It Matters”
“Hands Are Tied”
“Don’t Change for Me”
“Allison Road”
“Found Out About You”
“Til I Hear It From You”
“Hey Jealousy”
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The tailgate festival was well attended – and well-timed.
It opened late Friday morning under partly sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-60s. Hundreds (thousands?) of Tucsonans and out-of-town visitors attended, taking advantage of the weather and the opportunity to play hooky during this holiday week.
Barrio Brewing Co. offered a photo booth and $6 beers. Attendees had numerous food options to choose from, and restaurants such as El Charro and Sir Veza’s participated in a best-nachos contest.
Speaking of nachos, that was the name of one of the grapplers participating in lucha libre-style wrestling in a ring erected amid the food tents.
Other entertainment offerings included a bounce house, an inflatable slide, a field-goal challenge and a vertical-jump station.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Beer was sold at Arizona Stadium, and it seemed to be a big hit.
It was available at six stations, and the cost was $5 or $6 – reasonable for a big-stadium sporting event.
“It went well,” said Mike Feder, executive director of the Arizona Bowl. “There were lines. We were pleased.”
Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne has expressed interest in making beer available at Wildcats football games.
“At some point, if it can work logistically,” Byrne said via text message from the San Francisco Bay Area, where he accompanied the men’s basketball team for its Cal-Stanford road trip.
“We are interested to see how it works (in the Arizona Bowl) There are some procedures to go through.”
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Rich and Rhett
Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez watched the first half from just outside the tunnel leading to the Wildcats’ locker room. Son Rhett Rodriguez stood by his side.
Next season, Rhett will be a member of the UA squad, having committed to Arizona after a prolific career at Catalina Foothills High School. He will try to help the Wildcats return to a bowl game after a 3-9 season. It was the first time in Rich Rodriguez’s five years that Arizona did not play in a postseason game.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
69
The game-time temperature. Arizona Bowl chairman Ali Farhang had been predicting and hoping for a high of 71. Consider it close enough.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Air Force put on a show before the game even started.
Five members of the Wings of Blue, the Air Force Parachute Team, descended into the stadium during pregame ceremonies.
The military-themed day continued during a break in the second quarter, when eight World War II veterans were introduced to a warm round of applause.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Miss Arizona Tommy Lynn Calhoun returned to the stadium where she went viral a month ago.
Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins collided with Calhoun after running out of bounds during the Nov. 25 Territorial Cup. Dawkins landed on Calhoun before helping her up. She smiled all the way through it.
Friday, Calhoun kept a safe distance from the sideline. She was introduced to the crowd in the second half along with Miss Teen Arizona, Karly Riggs.
More like this...
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
A smiling Tyler Williams emerged from the home-team locker room, having just experienced something he described as “surreal.”
Williams had just won a bowl game in his hometown. And he played a vital role in the victory.
The Ironwood Ridge High School product helped Air Force rally from an 18-point deficit to defeat South Alabama 45-21 in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on Friday.
Williams, a junior receiver, matched his season total with a team-high three receptions for 66 yards. He also rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown. His 11 total touches were a season high.
“When your number’s called, you’re expected to go make the plays,” Williams said. “I’m just thankful I was able to do that today.
“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity. It’s kind of surreal when you think about it, to be able to play in front of all these people who love and care about you.”
About 100 of Williams’ family members and friends attended Friday’s game. Coach Troy Calhoun insisted there was no concerted effort to get Williams the ball more than usual.
“We’ve been calling him the hometown hero all week long,” quarterback Arion Worthman said. “He came out and performed.”
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
The Gin Blossoms performed before the game at the tailgate festival on the UA Mall. Lead singer Robin Wilson introduced himself and the band as “your pain-in-the-ass cousins from Tempe.”
The group played 12 songs over the course of about an hour. The set list was as follows:
“Follow You Down”
“Until I Fall Away”
“Miss Disarray”
“Pieces Of The Night”
“Lost Horizons”
“As Long As It Matters”
“Hands Are Tied”
“Don’t Change for Me”
“Allison Road”
“Found Out About You”
“Til I Hear It From You”
“Hey Jealousy”
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
The tailgate festival was well attended – and well-timed.
It opened late Friday morning under partly sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-60s. Hundreds (thousands?) of Tucsonans and out-of-town visitors attended, taking advantage of the weather and the opportunity to play hooky during this holiday week.
Barrio Brewing Co. offered a photo booth and $6 beers. Attendees had numerous food options to choose from, and restaurants such as El Charro and Sir Veza’s participated in a best-nachos contest.
Speaking of nachos, that was the name of one of the grapplers participating in lucha libre-style wrestling in a ring erected amid the food tents.
Other entertainment offerings included a bounce house, an inflatable slide, a field-goal challenge and a vertical-jump station.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
Beer was sold at Arizona Stadium, and it seemed to be a big hit.
It was available at six stations, and the cost was $5 or $6 – reasonable for a big-stadium sporting event.
“It went well,” said Mike Feder, executive director of the Arizona Bowl. “There were lines. We were pleased.”
Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne has expressed interest in making beer available at Wildcats football games.
“At some point, if it can work logistically,” Byrne said via text message from the San Francisco Bay Area, where he accompanied the men’s basketball team for its Cal-Stanford road trip.
“We are interested to see how it works (in the Arizona Bowl) There are some procedures to go through.”
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
Rich and Rhett
Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez watched the first half from just outside the tunnel leading to the Wildcats’ locker room. Son Rhett Rodriguez stood by his side.
Next season, Rhett will be a member of the UA squad, having committed to Arizona after a prolific career at Catalina Foothills High School. He will try to help the Wildcats return to a bowl game after a 3-9 season. It was the first time in Rich Rodriguez’s five years that Arizona did not play in a postseason game.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
Air Force put on a show before the game even started.
Five members of the Wings of Blue, the Air Force Parachute Team, descended into the stadium during pregame ceremonies.
The military-themed day continued during a break in the second quarter, when eight World War II veterans were introduced to a warm round of applause.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
Miss Arizona Tommy Lynn Calhoun returned to the stadium where she went viral a month ago.
Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins collided with Calhoun after running out of bounds during the Nov. 25 Territorial Cup. Dawkins landed on Calhoun before helping her up. She smiled all the way through it.
Friday, Calhoun kept a safe distance from the sideline. She was introduced to the crowd in the second half along with Miss Teen Arizona, Karly Riggs.
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