EL PASO, Texas - Arizona and Georgia each failed on late field goal attempts leaving the teams tied, 13-13, and the record Sun Bowl crowd of 52,203 going home with an empty feeling.
The teams battled on even terms for a half with Georgia’s Steve Crumley booting a 37-yard field goal and Arizona’s Max Zendejas adding a 22-yarder after an apparent Arizona touchdown was nullified by penalty.
The third quarter belonged to coach Larry Smith’s troops, who drove 34 yards with the second-half kickoff before Zendejas nailed a 52-yard field goal. The Wildcats expanded the margin to 13-3 with 3:30 left to play in the stanza, as Martin Rudolph picked off a James Jackson pass and bolted 35 yards for a touchdown.
Georgia took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Arizona 28, where Davis Jacobs kicked a 45-yarder to begin the Bulldog rally. Two plays later, James DeBow fumbled, and Georgia’s Tony Flack recovered to set up Lars Tate’s game-tying 2-yard run. Jacobs missed a 44-yarder with 1:14 to play. The Cats then used a 25-yard David Adams run to give Zendejas a 39-yard try with :10 remaining. However, his attempt was wide-right and short.
Zendejas and Georgia center Peter Anderson won outstanding player honors. Arizona finished the season at 8-3-1, while Georgia wound up 7-3-2.
