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Arizona Wildcats 2018 countdown to kickoff: 91 days

By Javier Morales

Posted on June 2, 2018

We have reached 91 days — or 13 Saturdays from today — until the Arizona Wildcats kick off their 2018 season under new coach Kevin Sumlin.

When Arizona hosts BYU on Sept. 1, it will mark the 40th anniversary since the Wildcats joined the Pac-12 (went from the Pac-8 to the Pac-10 then) and also the 20th anniversary of the 1998 team with the best record in school history, 12-1, and the 25th anniversary of the 1993 team that went 10-2 with a win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

To get ready for the upcoming season, All Sports Tucson offers another countdown, which will include memories from former Wildcats, history notes and a look ahead to the season. Think of it as a way to keep Arizona football on the mind in the summer months leading up to fall camp in early August and then kickoff against the Cougars marking the start of the Sumlin Era.

To catch up on the countdown click on this: Arizona Wildcats 2018 countdown to kickoff.

A look back

— With it being the 91st day ’til kickoff, the best player to wear No. 91 for Arizona? That would be defensive end Eli Wnek, who played at Arizona from 1998-2001. He played multiple positions for Dick Tomey and John Mackovic (defensive end, tight end and even fullback). Nationally recognized for his community service and academics. Three-time selection to the Pac-10 All-Academic team.

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A look ahead

Wearing No. 91 for Arizona this season is redshirt junior nose tackle Finton Connolly. He played in all 13 games last year and 20 overall in his two years at Arizona. He finished with 20 tackles last year, including a respectable 4.5 for loss (2.5 of which were sacks). He backed up Dereck Boles at nose tackle last season.

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