Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Jake Lacey Sophomore quarterback Willie Tuitama hugs jubilant UA head coach Mike Stoops after Arizona's 24-20 upset of then No. 8 California Saturday at Arizona Stadium. Arizona improved to 5-5 and could become bowl-eligible with a win in one of its last two games. The Wildcats have won three of their last four Homecoming games.

Note to the other nine teams in the Pacific 10 Conference: Stay away from Arizona Stadium on Homecoming in early November - especially if you're in the top 10.

For the second straight season, the Wildcats pulled off a monumental upset over Homecoming weekend, this time taking down then-No. 8 California 24-20 Saturday behind a stifling defense and two second-half touchdowns by running back Chris Henry to complete the dramatic comeback.

"It was amazing," said Henry, who finished with 57 yards, 50 of which came in the second half. "I don't even know a word for it. There's no word for how big the win is."

Quarterback Willie Tuitama tried.

"It's just big," he said. "It's just huge."

Arizona, which has won two straight games over ranked opponents for the first time since 1992 after taking down then-No. 25 Washington State last week, improved to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Pac-10 despite trailing California (8-2, 6-1) 17-3 at the half.

But the Wildcats were a big toe away from heartbreak.

Cal wideout DeSean Jackson - who had twice burned Arizona earlier in the game, including a 95-yard punt return for a score in the opening minutes - took a short pass from Nate Longshore, slipped a tackle and tiptoed 63 yards down the left sideline into the end zone to put the Bears up with just over two minutes to play.

But after a lengthy review, it was ruled that Jackson's right foot was out of bounds at the Arizona 41.

"It felt like I got stabbed in the heart," said cornerback Antoine Cason, who was beat on the play.

Five plays later at the Arizona 27, defensive end Marcus Smith got a piece of Longshore's throw, and sophomore linebacker Ronnie Palmer did the rest, catching the floating ball at the 18-yard line and falling at the 20 to secure the win.

Continued...

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