Update: Adds comments from 1981 team member Julius Holt previous story

Think Arizona does not stand a chance against No. 1 Oregon in Autzen Stadium on Friday?

Try telling that to the 1981 edition of the Wildcats, who did the unthinkable: Upset No. 1 USC and Marcus Allen at the Coliseum after trailing 10-0 in the second quarter. The Cats rallied to win 13-10 on Oct. 10, 1981, behind sophomore quarterback Tom Tunnicliffe‘s 293 yards passing and a defense that yielded only 297 yards in total offense, 186 yards under the Trojans’ average.

“We were not afraid or not intimidated by USC,” an emphatic Randy Robbins, a sophomore defensive back with that team, indicated to me this week.

The 1981 team coached by the late Larry Smith – the only team in school history to beat a No. 1-ranked team on the road — and the current group of players and coaches are probably the only people who believe a win is achievable Friday. Other than that, the bandwagon is pretty bare, abandoned by most Arizona fans who cringe at the thought of the beleaguered Cats facing the high-octane Oregon offense after looking pedestrian in consecutive defeats to Stanford and USC.

“We’ve been underdogs since the start of the season,” Arizona cornerback Robert Golden said after the Wildcats lost to USC 24-21 on Nov. 13. “That’s OK. Let people think that way.”

The best way to channel that us-against-the-world mentality? Free-spirited Jay Dobyns, a freshman wide receiver in 1981, has a unique suggestion for the Cats.

“Play like wild men,” Dobyns told me this week when asked what he would tell the current Cats if he had the chance to address the team before the game.

“You wanna be the champ? Then you gotta knock out the guy with the belt. So punch him in the head as hard as you can as many times as possible and live with what happens.”

Dobyns, a former undercover agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, has no fear. He has been shot in the back at point-blank range and he infiltrated the Hell’s Angels.

Beating Oregon on the road is tame compared to that.

The most significant similarity between Arizona’s encounter with USC 29 years ago and the Wildcats’ game with Oregon: Both will have faced Heisman Trophy-caliber running backs (Allen and Oregon’s LaMichael James).

Despite the loss to the Wildcats, Allen gained 211 yards rushing, including a 74-yard touchdown sprint during USC’s first possession. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy that season. James leads the nation in rushing yards per game (158.0) and rushing touchdowns (17). He is in the running for the Heisman and the Doak Walker award for the nation’s best running back.

The most noteworthy difference between the 1981 game against USC and Friday’s meeting with Oregon: Arizona (2-2 heading into the 1981 game) had the momentum of winning consecutive games against Fullerton State and John Elway‘s Stanford team before traveling to L.A. The game was also played relatively early in the season in front of a subdued L.A. Coliseum crowd. Only 56,315 showed up at the 93,607-seat venue.

Allen was ho-hum after the game with the media, saying, “Things like this happen and the sun will come up tomorrow.” Oregon is showing much more of a sense of urgency with the season winding down. The Ducks can sniff a spot in the BCS championship game.

Autzen Stadium will be packed and the crowd noise will be at a high-decibel level.

Sounds like a daunting task, downright impossible for the struggling Cats. Try telling that to the 1981 edition of the Wildcats, who realized playing at No. 1 and trailing by 10 early is an obstacle not too difficult to bear, no matter the circumstance. Here are some some comments from members of the 1981 team in relation to the UA’s task of duplicating their feat:

Randy Robbins

Then: Sophomore defensive back
Now: Pinal County project administrator in Casa Grande
What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?
Why I remember everyone — media, etc. — saying for the week was how invincible USC was compared to everyone they had played so far to date. As players, we were such a young group as a whole. We were kind of oblivious as to what the stakes were about this game. We felt that no one was giving us a chance in this game, however as players we were not afraid or not intimidated by USC. They were going to get our best effort as players. (That’s) what we decided as a team.

At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?
About in the middle of the third quarter in my mind is when I thought we had them. Other than Marcus Allen’s 74-yard TD run on their first offensive (series), they couldn’t do anything against our defense. USC was pretty much one dimensional that year. And our offense was starting to figure out ways to attack their defense and be successful.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?
I would tell them to keep playing every play. Oregon is going to have some success, but so are we. And expect to have success in the game. Ultimately, this game is about making plays. Pull the trigger and let the chips fall and sort themselves out.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?
This was in the top three victories in my career:
1. The ASU game my senior year (won by Arizona 17-15 in 1983).
2. USC game my sophomore year.
3. Notre Dame game my junior year (won by Arizona 16-13 in 1982).

Mark Walczak

Then: Freshman tight end
Now: Owner/broker Arizona Real Estate Advisers in Scottsdale
What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?
We were a very talented and confident team in ’81. We all knew we had a huge challenge in front of us, but we were not to be intimidated at all going into the game. USC was a incredibly talented team with the likes Marcus Allen and Ronnie Lott. We were a bit shaken when Marcus Allen broke off a touchdown run to go up 7-0. But our defense got tough and and the offense made things happen.

At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?
By half we knew we knew that we could beat them if we played hard and mistake-free and we did.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?
I would tell our team to play hard, play smart and play with confidence and swagger. Stay together and believe in each other.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?
That victory over USC was one of the most remorable I had at the U of A. When you stand your ground and go toe to toe with the best and succeed it is always the time that a teams feels at its best! And we did.

Steve Boadway

Then: Freshman linebacker/special teams
Now: Principal at Mt. Elden Middle School in Flagstaff
What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?
Fortunately, Arizona always played up to their opponents. I remember as a freshman playing against Marcus Allen and Chip Banks, and, of course, the No. 1 team in the Coliseum. The team was pumped.

At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?
Probably at halftime I realized that this just might happen. We were playing well on defense except for the first (series) from scrimmage which resulted in a touchdown run by Marcus but we soon found ourselves in the game.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?
My advice: Play like it’s your last game. They can be beat as was the case versus Cal (in which Oregon escaped with a 15-13 victory in Berkeley on Nov. 13). Most importantly, have fun with the moment. Also, they do remember last year’s game (won by the Ducks 44-41 in double overtime). They should want to redeem themselves on that loss.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?
Aside from the Notre Dame victory and the ASU upset in ’82, it’s one of the biggest upsets.

Jay Dobyns

Then: Freshman wide receiver
Now: Motivational speaker in Tucson/former agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?
How many chances in your lifetime do you get to take a crack at No. 1 in anything? And Marcus was the front runner for the Heisman.
At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?
Tunnicliffe just seemed to get hot. Brad Anderson, Mark Keel and Kevin Ward were making big catches and you could feel it. Tom (from Burbank, Calif.) always played great against the LA schools.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?
You have absolutely nothing to lose so just let it all out. Take risks. Be reckless. Play like wild men. You wanna be the champ? Then you gotta knock out the guy with the belt. So punch him in the head as hard as you can as many times as possible and live with what happens.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?
All the wins over ASU are ahead and beating Notre Dame in South Bend still wins out.

Greg Turner

Then: Freshman defensive back
Now: Football training consultant for Hitman Sports

What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?

You had better get your sleep the night before the game, because the day of, there will be no sleep. There’s no question in our minds that we could stop USC.

At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?

When our defense was stingy all game against the run, with the exception of one big gain by Marcus Allen when he scampered for 74 yards on a student–body left. After that, we put the clamps on their (behinds).

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?

Leave the nervous bug at door and eliminate your mental errors. It’s crucial because when you step in between those lines we are all equally matched. War is on, and if you can take it to them every play for four quarters you will be victorious.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?

Right at the top. We played against a Hall of Fame running back in his prime in Marcus Allen and we pretty much shut the run down that Saturday afternoon against the No. 1 USC Trojans.

Jeff Kiewel

Then:Junior offensive tackle
Now:Manager of John Deere Golf sales division

What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?

We were pretty loose going into the USC game that year. We were playing pretty well and had developed a personality of a “Giant Killer”. We had a close team that had learned to count on each other. We were focsued on executing our strengths.

At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?

We never had a doubt that we could beat USC that year. It was almost like we knew it would happen if we played hard and together. That said, I don’t think I ever stopped fighting to win until the last play.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?

The USC victory was the highlight of my team experience as a Wildcat. We really played for each other that day. In fact, John Robinson came into our locker room after the game to personally congratulate each player and coach. It was a very special experience.

Julius Holt

Then: Junior linebacker
Now: Outreach academic counselor at Arizona

What do you remember the most of the week leading up to the USC game (was there ever any doubts going in)?

I remember Coach Smith saying, “Sixty men together on the same page can’t lose.”

At what point in the game did you think that an upset could happen?

When they were forced to start throwing the ball. The USC offensive line was built to run the ball. Marcus Allen had a goof game, but he was getting hit hard and often.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?

I would share a message my son gave to his Senior Midget State Champion team this past weekend: “Team Work Makes The Dream Work”.

How does the victory over the Trojans rate in your Arizona career?

I learned you only get one chance to beat a No. 1 team. It was better and more meaningful than beating Notre Dame. Larry Smith made us believe we could win. A lesson I use every day in my life today: Believe. Thanks Coach andy my former teamates.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 at 10:14 am and is filed under Sports. Tags for this post: Greg Turner, Jay Dobyns, Jeff Kiewel, Julius Holt, Larry Smith, Mark Walczak, Randy Robbins, Robert Golden, Steve Boadway. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.