TUCSON, Ariz. >>> The University of Arizona paid a stirring, night-long tribute to the USS Arizona with its “We Remember” ceremonies and events commemorating the upcoming 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
It opened with the Wildcats football team entering the field carrying a 48-star U.S. interment flag that was presented to USS Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner prior to the coin toss. “It (was) very special,” said the 96-year-old Bruner of La Mirada, Calif.
On Friday night, Bruner, one of six surviving members of the USS Arizona crew, received a standing ovation after speaking to the University of Hawaii football team. “Then, they all lined up and shook his hand,” said Ed McGrath, a friend of Bruner’s. “Very classy.”
Bruner said, “A fine bunch of fellas.”
The coin toss employed the squadron commander’s coin from the 47th fighter squadron, stationed at nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The 47th was originally the 47th Pursuit Squadron and assigned to Wheeler Field, Hawaii, from where it shot down eight Japanese planes on Dec. 7, 1941.
The Wildcats’ uniforms were painstakingly coordinated to represent the ship and events of that day.
For example, the white helmet represented the upper mast of the ship and the date of the attack is located just above the face mask with the ship’s bell on the back. The gray jersey reflects the color of the ship’s hull with the hull number on the back.
The right shoulder patch paid tribute to the 47th Pursuit Squadron. The left shoulder had a 48-star flag, since Arizona was the 48th state admitted to the union, and there were 48 states at the time of the attack. The red pants match the color of the ship’s keel.
The special edition game program featured a commemorative cover and included a listing of the names of the 1,177 crewmen and officers who lost their lives aboard the USS Arizona.
On the campus mall UA is erecting a USS Arizona memorial.
Wildcats to play at Aloha Stadium in ’19
While Saturday’s game was the first meeting between UH and Arizona since 1998, the next meetings will not be as long in coming.
The rare four-game home-and-home series against a Power Five conference team runs through 2025.
The Wildcats are scheduled to come to Aloha Stadium in 2019, with UH back in Tucson in 2020 and UA in Hawaii in 2025.
Timoteo makes first Warrior receptions
It was a night to remember for the former record-setting Mililani High passing duo of McKenzie Milton and Kalakaua Timoteo, both true freshmen this season.
Milton made his starting debut at Central Florida in a 30-24 double overtime loss to Maryland.
Meanwhile, his go-to receiver, Timoteo, caught his first passes as a Rainbow Warrior in a 47-28 loss to Arizona.
Milton completed 21 of 36 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Timoteo grabbed an eight-yard pass from Ikaika Woolsey in the second quarter and went on to haul in three for 35 yards.
“Good (night) for Kala, he had three of them,” head coach Nick Rolovich said. “The kid came in working hard (from the start). He is different that way. He executes his job very well. I think the quarterbacks trust him and, obviously, I trusted him (enough) to put him in the game.”
Rolovich said, “Coach Kefense (Hynson) is bringing him along well.”
Allen leaves in second quarter with injury
Left tackle Dejon Allen left the game — his 28th consecutive start — in the second quarter with an injury and did not return.
But he is expected back in time for UH’s next game, Oct. 1 against Nevada, Rolovich said.
The ’Bows have an open date next week and Rolovich said, “We should be at full strength come conference.”
